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  • Catering Signs – What do you need to know?

    Catering Signs – What do you need to know?

    Catering and hospitality environments present a unique range of hazards to their owners. Being places where food is stored, prepared and served, it is vital that the risks posed are minimised as much as possible. Not only does this protect the health of your workers but also every single customer and your business itself. As a restaurant, cafe or general catering manager, it is vital that you understand just how significant the right signs can be for your business. This guide delves into your responsibility and how signs can support your work with these.

    What are the main health and safety issues presented in catering?

    Every single catering environment will have a unique range of hazards that take priority. This will largely depend on the nature of your activity. For example, kitchens that produce large quantities of hot soup products are likely to present different hazards to a sandwich bar. However, there are a range of hazards regularly seen which include:

    • Slipping, tripping and falling over
    • Lifting heavy items and manual handling
    • Burns caused by hot surfaces
    • Dermatitis and other skin conditions
    • Cuts from sharp objects
    • Contaminated foods

    How do I identify the hazards that impact my catering business the most?

    It is vital, as with all health & safety initiatives, to first undertake a detailed risk assessment. This will provide a clear understanding of your unique environment and give you direction on how to prevent injury. A risk assessment should cover the basic things such as closing cupboard doors and cleaning up spills to more specific actions such as storing bespoke equipment appropriately. There are many example risk assessments available online that will help you keep in with the law. And, on this note, it is important to note that the law does not require you to fully eliminate all risks. You are, however, required to protect people as far as ‘reasonably practicable’, creating a working environment that understands and avoids hazards.

    The Health and Safety Executive, provides a number of examples such as this one for small cafes and this one for use in pub kitchens.

    What legislation covers the catering industry?

    Catering and food premises must abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. More information on this can be found here.

    How do signs support legal requirements in the catering industry?

    There is a wide range of catering-specific signs that are designed for the catering industry. And, according to The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations of 1996 states that safety signs are required where there is a risk to employee safety. They need to be easy to read, easy to find and identify everything from safeguards, hazards, prohibited actions and directions for safety measures. It is vital that you only use signs where necessary and do not saturate the workplace with too many. This can become confusing for workers, guests and visitors.

    Let’s look at the different signs available that help to prevent some of the hazards mentioned above.

    Trips/Slips/Falls

    Spilled food and equipment being left haphazardly are two of the main reasons why trips, slips and falls occur. Signs can be used to remind people of the need to clean up after themselves and minimise the chances of others becoming injured. Our ‘Clean Up Spillages Sign’ is the perfect example – following British Standard specifications and available in a number of different formats.

    Hot surfaces

    Catering environments present a large number of opportunities to get burnt and injured by hot surfaces. Whether this is from boiling water used during cooking or cleaning through to hobs, ovens and grills being left on, the right sign will inform people of this risk instantly. The choice is vast with options such as this simple ‘Caution Hot Surface Do Not Touch and the ‘Caution Very Hot Water Sign’ which fit the needs of many environments’.

    Cuts

    Catering brings with it a range of equipment, including knives and other sharp objects needed to glide through food. And, unfortunately, this also increases the chance of cuts and injury. Signs can be used to remind people of the need to be cautious and make them aware of how serious these sorts of hazards can be. There are many different signs available to support this. Our ‘Use Knives Safely Sign’ is a comprehensive option for businesses that have high staff turnover. It advises people how to use sharp objects safely along with what not to do and which precautions to take. We also have a ‘The Safe Use of Knives’ sign which guides users through the most professional way of using knives to reduce the change of cuts. And, more specific signs such as the ‘Slicing Machine’ sign offers direction on correct use when it comes to dangerous machines that can cause cut injuries.

    Contaminated Food

    Perhaps the most industry specific hazard out there, it is vital that working catering businesses minimise the risk of contaminated food. This can take the form of ensuring raw meats are kept away from fruits and vegetables through to making sure employees wash their hands after using the toilet. These hazards should be clearly highlighted to every employee and training offered to make sure everyone takes active steps to minimise them. Examples of this include the ‘Do Not Store Raw and Cooked Food Sign’, ‘Keep Cuts and Abrasions Covered Sign’ and ‘All Food Must Be Covered and Dated Sign’.

    How do I know the right signs for me?

    Finding the right grouping of signs is essential to ensuring your workplace stays legally compliant. Take into account the most significant hazards highlighted through your risk assessment. If you notice the risk of cuts is higher than that of burns, choose signs that minimise this hazard and place them close to the most accident prone areas. If you require additional support, the team here at Lasting Impressions are experts when it comes to professional signs for your industry. Get in touch and we’ll help guide you towards the right signs for your business today.

  • A guide on how to control smoking around your workplace with signs

    A guide on how to control smoking around your workplace with signs

    It’s been over 12 years since the smoke-free legislation was first introduced in England. Effective from 1st July 2007, it made it illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces, places with public access to obtain goods and services and in others places designated by Statutory Instrument in England. It came to light as a consequence of the Health Act of 2005, mostly surrounding the limitation of second-hand smoke inhalation and to avoid food contamination.

    As a business owner, the importance of smoking can vary drastically. It may be a significant hazard around your workplace and something you’re seeking to minimise. Equally, it may pale into insignificance in comparison to other issues your workplace faces. However, this guide details how you can control smoking in and around your workplace with the help of signs.

    What legislation governs smoking at work?

    In line with the smoking ban mentioned above, enclosed or subsequent enclosed workplaces and public places must be kept smoke-free. An enclosed space is defined by having a ceiling or a roof with walls around at least half the perimeter. This is to ensure that everybody can pass through life without unwillingly becoming impacted by the effects of second hand smoke. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure this is upheld. By law, you must:

    • Display ‘No Smoking’ signs in appropriate places around the workplace and inside of work vehicles.
    • Take the most reasonable steps to ensure workers, customers and visitors understand this smoking restriction.
    • Ensure people do not smoke in the prohibited spaces.

    It is important to note, this ban covers all workplaces where one or more people work. It also applies regardless of whether this work is paid or voluntary.

    What is defined as ‘smoking’?

    An individual is deemed to be ‘smoking’ when they are ‘in possession of a lit substance such as tobacco or any other substance that can be smoked.’ Items that can be smoked include traditional cigarettes through to pipes, cigars and water pipes.

    How should I manage smoking as an employer?

    It is your responsibility to create an appropriate smoking policy that fits in with your specific workplace. It is commonly recommended that this is created in collaboration with employees and their representatives to ensure it fits everyone’s requirements. This should dictate the ways in which your business will abide by the ban, the places where smoking is prohibited and the areas where smoking can occur.

    How can signs be used to support my workplace smoking policy?

    As an employer, you must consider how best to use signs around your workplace to manage smoking. With all use of signage in a business, it is important not to flood any environment with signs that could become confusing. Identify the areas where your smoking policy may become questionable. This could be in an outdoor recreational area, near entrances or other vital points throughout your business. By doing this, you will be better able to judge where information about your smoking ban needs to be available.

    Simple ‘No Smoking’ signs can be used in all working environments and follow widely accepted directives to ensure universal understanding. They come in both landscape and portrait formats, allowing you to install it anywhere you see fit. There are more detailed options if you feel that further information is needed, including this ‘No Smoking Except In Designated Room Sign.

    Are E-Cigarettes and Vaping covered by the smoking ban?

    According to the law, e-cigarettes are not covered by the ban. Therefore, it is your choice as an employer as to how your policy covers this form of smoking. Many people use these as a way of giving up traditional smoking so it is important to take this into account when aligning them with your current policy. It may be that you wish to create a designated vaping area or have workers gain approval from higher management before using them.

    However you decide to tackle this, we have signs designed to support you. For full bans, our ‘No Electric Cigarettes’ sign can be fitted anywhere around your building. We also have all encompassing No Smoking/No Electric Cigarettes’ signs that combine two messages into one. And, if you’re considering creating designated smoking areas, we have landscapelarge landscape and more detailed options available here too.

    Do I need to allow for smoking and vaping breaks?

    According to the Working Time Regulations here in the UK, all employees are entitled to one, unpaid 20 minute break during a working day of longer than 6 hours. Whether you choose to order any more on top of this is under your discretion. In terms of specific smoking breaks, there is no statutory rights for these.

    Where do I go from here?

    The best way to deal with smoking is to create a policy as detailed above. This will provide clear direction and instruction to all workers as to where your business stands in terms of smoking. There are many different templates you can find online to help you complete this comprehensively, such as this one and this one. And, UNISON, the public service union, has a wealth of knowledge available about the smoking ban to help you support workers and create a structured environment surrounding smoking.

  • Construction Signs – A Guide To Improving Safety on Your Site

    Construction Signs – A Guide To Improving Safety on Your Site

    Construction sites present a unique range of hazards to workers, guests and visitors. And one of the clearest ways to ensure the risk of injury is minimised is by using the right signs at all times. Most construction sites are temporary environments – they may be around anything from a few weeks to a number of years. Either way, the signs that are needed vary depending on the type of site in question, the length of time it expects to be in operation and the number of workers you have at any given time. In this guide, we will cover the minimum sign requirements for a temporary construction site, along with other options available to suit specific settings.

    What construction signs do I need to have on my site?

    In any working environment, the signs that you use should be implemented to minimise the risk of injury due to hazards. Before embarking on any health and safety overhaul, we recommend undertaking a risk assessment to highlight all potential areas of concern. There are numerous templates available online including this one from HS Direct and this link from the Health and Safety Executive. Understanding the key hazards on your construction site ensures you can implement a successful sign solution. This should be clear and uncrowded. Signs should not confuse each other and therefore, you should always be cautious not to overuse them.

    When deciding which signs are necessary on your site, it is important to take into account what type of construction work will be taking place. Is it just simple groundworks? Are heavier infrastructures involving civils likely to occur? Or, is it just a basic residential construction? This will allow you to understand the potential risks that can occur. Larger sites will also need larger quantities of signs to ensure they can be read and understood by everyone. All of these factors should be accounted for during your risk assessment.

    When it comes to the bare minimum, you want to protect all workers and visitors from potential injury. So, at the very least, you should have an:

    1. Fire Assembly Point Sign In the event of an emergency, it is important that everyone knows where to meet. This allows your dedicated fire marshall to note down who is present and ensure everybody has left the building. Health and safety is a key consideration on construction sites as there is an increase in heavy duty machinery and dangerous activity happening every single day. Therefore, fire assembly point signs are vital. They come in a variety of different formats, so it’s up to you which style you choose. Our simple Fire Assembly Point with Tick Sign is large and bold, easy to read by everyone and conforms with British Standard requirements. We also have Photoluminescent Emergency Assembly Point Signs that glow in low light conditions. And our Numbered Fire Assembly Point Signs should be used in larger settings or those with high employee levels.
    2. Multi-Hazard Construction Signs Offering a host of information in one place, these detailed signs are there to ensure that every staff member understands the key information. They are a vital addition to site offices and work best where staff turnover is high. Each one will feature numerous banners filled with information including instructions, orders and directional rules. Anything from ‘Safety helmets must be worn’ through to ‘Unauthorised entry to this site is strictly prohibited’ can all be found in one rounded sign. Again, there are a variety of different options available to suit your needs. We have Multi-Hazard Site Safety Signs in Large Landscape dimensions. In other settings, especially those with international employees, our Multi-Hazard Site Safety 9 Point Sign features large logos that are universally understood and recognised.
    3. Access Signs With high staff turnover, it is important that you clearly restrict areas of your site to unauthorised personnel. Not only does this protect the business, it also minimises the risk of injury for non-approved individuals. The right Access Sign will do just that, helping you to clearly identify areas of unauthorised access. In addition, they can be used for visitors and guests to your sign, with an easy to understand design. Again, there are a host of different styles out there from the simple No Access Sign and No Unauthorised Persons Allowed Sign through to others like the Scaffolding Incomplete, Do Not Use and No Admittance Without Work Permit Sign. A risk assessment will identify where these signs need to be positioned.
    4. General Construction Signs It may sound unusual but it is important that you identify a construction site as what it is. There should be signs clearly displayed around that guarantee it cannot be mistaken as an open area. When used appropriately, this minimises the chance of the general public putting themselves at risk. And again, like the options listed above, they should be displayed in the places highlighted during a risk assessment. Choose from simple Construction Site Keep Out Signs through to Site Entrance designs and Danger Demolition in Progress – the right signs can ensure traffic move smoothly throughout your workplace.

    What legislation covers construction signs?

    The laws surrounding health and safety on construction sites expects those working on sites and members of the public to be properly protected. And, the official legislation that dictates signage is the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. This covers all places of work which are currently blanketed by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. You can download a full version of this document here.

    How do I know which signs my construction site is missing?

    As mentioned before, the best way of identifying the need for signs is through a risk assessment. This will flag up areas that aren’t properly signed, particularly areas where injuries tend to occur or questions are frequently asked about the correct procedures. Additionally, the team here at Lasting Impressions prides ourselves in being experts in our field. Therefore, we are always there to help should you need assistance with identifying the right sign for your needs. Get in touch with us today and let’s ensure your construction site is safe and protected appropriately.

  • A Comprehensive Guide for Signs in the Workplace

    A Comprehensive Guide for Signs in the Workplace

    In order to keep up with health and safety requirements, signs are an essential addition to your workplace. They act to provide instruction, orders, information and guidance on codes of conduct around a building. In unmanned environments, they offer this information in a clear way to ensure it can be understood by both permanent and temporary visitors. Signs are one of the most useful additions your workplace can have. Therefore, it is vital that you understand which signs are needed for your business. Alongside this, understanding what each sign means and appropriate sign usage will help improve the overall flow. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about signs in the workplace.

    Which businesses need signs?

    This very broad question can be answered with an equally broad response – nearly all of them. If you manage or run a business, it is likely that signs will help in one way or the other. Properties or work environments with high people foot flow are likely to use signs to minimise the risk of injury. Equally, sites or locations with high waste content may used signs to regulate recycling and refuse disposal. Anywhere where there is an instruction to give, the correct signage can be essential.

    What are the different types of signs?

    In accordance with The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, there are 4 main types of sign:

    • Prohibition sign. These signs prohibit specific behaviours that could increase or decrease the chance of a hazard. For example, No Smoking signs.
    • Warning sign. These signs provide a warning of a hazard or danger in the surrounding area. For example, Construction Site signs.
    • Mandatory sign. These signs inform readers of a specific behaviour that must be undertaken. For example, Mandatory Footwear signs.
    • Emergency escape/First-Aid signs. These signs give information about emergency exits, first aid or rescue facilities. For example, Fire Exit signs.

    Your business may not need every type of sign. It is vital that you undertake a detailed risk assessment before choosing signs for your building. This will help to highlight the specific hazards presented and give you direction on where to install the appropriate signs.

    Sign requirements by industry

    When it comes to choosing the right sign for your workplace, it can be helpful to consider the industry you fall into. Different environments present different hazards. Therefore, understanding the ones that are most pertinent to your industry can be a good first step to establishing your needs. Let’s take a look at 4 of the biggest industries here in the UK and the signs you may need in each.

    Construction

    With large equipment, high staff turnover and expansive site locations, the construction industry presents a large quantity of hazards. Therefore, it is likely to be the first thing you think of when we talk about signs in the workplace. Here, signs help to prevent injury and in some instances, death. They are very important and help a construction site stay compliant legally. Some of the main construction site signs you may need to consider include:

    The exact requirement for your site depends on size and location. For example, those using kango drill or explosives will need to consider the right Noise Hazard signs to minimise injury risk. Equally, if you’re working on an old building, Asbestos Signs ensure people take the correct precautions. We have written a detailed Construction Signs Guide which provides everything you need to know about minimum requirements. It also covers legislation and how to identify where signs are required.

    Healthcare

    Businesses based within the NHS have their own specific guidelines when it comes to signs. Alongside this, they must conform with the current legislation including EN ISO 7010:2012. Signs used within healthcare buildings need to be:

    • Durable
    • Easy to understand
    • Highly visible
    • In accordance with British Standards

    All of these factors work together to ensure a sign can be read by the vast majority. You have to remember that these buildings generally have high foot traffic. And that the majority of people in them are only temporary (they don’t work at the building but are visiting for an injury, for example). The information presented needs to be easy to read in an emergency. Equally, it needs to discourage any hazardous behaviour instantly.

    Examples of this include NHS Fire Exit signs, both general and photoluminescent.

    Retail

    As a major employer in the UK, retail businesses also need to consider the safety signs they have on show. The main hazardous areas within these working environments include:

    • Slipping and trip hazards
    • Manual handling (unloading deliveries and stocking shelves)
    • Workplace transports (delivery vans and forklifts)
    • Violence (both employee-employee and customer-employee)

    Again, risk assessments will help to highlight which hazards are most prominent in your building. And signs should be used in accordance with this to prevent injuries. The HSE has a range of downloadable resources to help retail business owners in this field. These include ‘Preventing slips and trips at work’ and ‘Getting to grips with manual handling: a short guide’.

    Some of the most vital signs needed in this industry include:

    Office-based

    Not industry specific, but it is always worth talking about office-based businesses. Again, these present a unique range of hazards – namely tripping, manual handling and fire safety. As with all the industries above, it is important to undertake a detailed risk assessment. And then, install signs according to the most obvious needs.

    Lasting Impressions are experts in the design and manufacture of safety signs for your business. We have worked with businesses of all shapes and sizes, as well as across various industries. If you have any questions about the right workplace signs for your business, get in contact today.

  • Workplace Risk Assessments – What do you need to know?

    Workplace Risk Assessments – What do you need to know?

    According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), all employers should carry out workplace risk assessments. They allow you to identify potential hazards and implement procedures that minimise these. In doing so, employers protect their employees, guests and visitors while maintaining exceptional Health & Safety in the process. No matter the size of your business, the amount of employees you hire or whether you work with the general public, risk assessments are vital. Our guide explains everything you need to know about them and where you can find the best templates on the Internet.

    What is classed as a hazard?

    The main reason for undertaking a risk assessment is to identify hazards. These are anything that has the potential to injury or harm an employee, visitors or guests to your building. Some of these are easy to spot. For example, hot stoves in the kitchen can cause burns. But others are more obscure. Below are the four main categories of hazards you need to be aware of.

    1. PhysicalThese hazards are those that can cause physical damage to employees, visitors or guests. They include things like slipping on wet floor, breathing in high levels of dust or hunching over computer desks for extended periods of time. These are the hazards that are the easiest to identify. Most of the time you can see them clearly during the day. Therefore, they should be the first ones you address with either safety signs or through other preventative measures.
    2. MentalThe focus on mental health in the workplace is something we’re becoming increasingly aware of. Modern work puts a great number of strains on our mental state and that of our employees. Therefore, it is vital that you take the measures to minimise this. Some of the hazards presented here are excessive workloads, long hours and working with high-need clients.
    3. ChemicalIn certain workplace environments, the use of chemicals presents its own hazards. These can be anything from everyday cleaning fluids through to asbestos. The degree of severity presents by chemicals in your business can vary drastically. However, it should always be taken into consideration – especially as different people can have different reactions.
    4. BiologicalAlthough most common in healthcare environments, biological hazards can still arise in various environments. These include the spread of infections such as tuberculosis and hepatitis.

    How does a risk assessment help reduce hazards?

    Forming an integral role in your health and safety plan, risk assessments are a comprehensive way of highlighting individual hazards. They offer a number of benefits including:

    • Allowing you to identify hazards and risks before they cause harm
    • Helping you to analyse the degree of risk presented with each hazard. This will be a vital stage in establishing where safety measures need to be implemented.
    • Supporting you in identifying the most appropriate ways to eliminate or control the hazard.

    A risk assessment essentially takes a detailed look at your workplace, using the framework of the four hazard types mentioned above. It helps to identify exactly who is at risk and how this can be prevented effectively. Additionally, risk assessments can also analyse your existing health and safety set up to establish if it is working effectively. When meeting legal requirements, they are vital and ensure you stay compliant at all times.

    When should I perform a risk assessment?

    The reasons for performing a risk assessment can vary. Primarily there are 3 times when it is vital that you look at the hazards around the workplace. These are:

    • When a new process or activity is introduced. This could be a new avenue of business you want to go down or a new job placement. A risk assessment should take place before it has been implemented.
    • Before you implement any changes to existing processes or activities. This could include new machinery brought in to complete a job or when new legislation is passed. A risk assessment will identify any new and existing hazards.
    • When a new hazard is identified. Even businesses that have a firm understanding of their work environment can still encounter new hazards. Risk assessments will allow you to establish the degree of risk and how it should be handled.

    What does a risk assessment cover?

    There are many risk assessment templates available online. We will mention a few at the end of this guide. However, there are a few general rules you should follow when undertaking one.

    • Ensure that the person performing the risk assessment is competent or works in a team that has a good working knowledge of the environment.
    • Identify hazards by walking through your work environment. Time should be taken to decide whether seemingly innocent machines or procedures could, in fact, do harm.
    • Determine the likelihood that each hazard could do harm and how severe this could be. Here, you will need to take into account the hazard during normal working activity and in the event of an emergency. For example, would the risk increase in the event of a power cut?
    • Ensure you are up-to-date with the existing Health and Safety legislations alongside any that are specific to your industry. This will help you establish the importance of each hazard.
    • Identify the actions that are required to eliminate or control the hazard/risk. What do you need to do process-wise to ensure that chance of injury is reduced?
    • Reassess these actions to ensure that they will minimise or eliminate the hazard at hand. If not, go back and reassess what can be done.
    • Continuously monitor the measures taken. This is one of the most important stages as it determines whether a new risk assessment is needed. The person conducting the analysis should also keep on top of reviews to ensure safety is always prioritised.
    • All documentation, notes and records should be kept for future reference.

    Where can I find a risk assessment template?

    Risk assessment structures can vary depending on your industry, working environment and requirements. However, there are many templates available to download online. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has a number of templates available on its website, specifically for small business owners. These spread from environments such as Hairdressing Salons through to Office-Based Businesses and Plastering Companies, to name a few.

    The HMRC have a Generic Risk Assessment Form that can be used in a variety of environments. The Word document can be downloaded here. And, you can find a large quantity of risk assessment for download at SafetyRisk.Net.

    Lasting Impressions are always on hand to help with advice and recommendations when it comes to safety signs for risk assessments. If you have any questions, get in contact with the team here today.

  • How Can Safety Signs Help With Covid-19 Prevention

    How Can Safety Signs Help With Covid-19 Prevention

    While restrictions are slowly lifting and we’re returning to a sense of normality, there’s no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on everyone. And, as businesses reopen, there is a need to find useful and relevant ways to prevent the spread of the virus – both between employees and customers. Safety signs are one way of doing this and a highly effective one at that. They don’t just provide guidance but can benefit businesses with their virus control methods in more ways than one.

    Education

    We have been continuously told how we can prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, returning to work presents a host of unique problems. No longer is it possible to entirely isolate yourself from others. Either due to our work requirements or the layout of the business premises, we must now learn a new way to get on with our lives without significantly increasing risk. COVID-19 safety signs provide education to employees and visitors. They outline the ways in which social distancing and appropriate hand cleansing can keep everyone safe.

    Abiding by ISO 7010 means that easily recognisable signs can be repurposed to fit this need. It becomes easier to give tailored information to the relevant parties, educating them on the ways that their actions can help.

    Confidence

    The world has been different for quite some time now. And while the experts are telling us that returning to work can be managed safely, there is always the possibility of worry. Implementing COVID-19 safety signs provides a sense of confidence to employees and customers. It is a visual marker that your business is taking action to reduce risk. It is a sign of care towards those entering a building, showing that the company has taken heed of the risk and is attempting to minimise this.

    Whether this translates into employees being more willing to return to their desks or customers choosing to shop with you over the competition, it is a beneficial addition for your business.

    At Lasting Impressions, we have a wide variety of COVID Hygiene and Social Distancing Signs. From Temporary Anti-Slip Floor Graphics to Floor Stands and Directional Signs, you’ll find everything needed to minimise risk during these unprecedented times. If you have any questions or require support identifying the right sign, please do get in contact with the team here today.

  • Inspecting Your Fire Extinguishers – What Do You Need to Know?

    Inspecting Your Fire Extinguishers – What Do You Need to Know?

    The fire extinguishers in your commercial property are there to reduce risk, in the event of an emergency. They are a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and help to reduce the spread of smaller fires. As with all of the safety equipment in your building, it is important to perform regular checks and maintenance. This ensures they’re doing the job required, that you’re actively working to reduce risk and that the strategy you have in place is effective.

    How often do I need to inspect fire extinguishers?

    In accordance with current guidelines, you need to visually check fire extinguishers once per month. This can increase in high-risk environments to as frequently as once per week if you work in an environment where they are more likely to be required or damaged. A visual inspection can effectively tell you whether the extinguisher will perform well in the event of an emergency. It will also flag up any damage or issues that mean it may need to be replaced. The appointed ‘Responsible Person’ in your business who is in charge of fire safety should take on this responsibility.

    What to check for?

    There are 5 key steps to checking your fire extinguisher.

    Visibility

    As with all kinds of fire fighting equipment, your fire extinguisher needs to be situated in a highly visible location. During an inspection, you’ll need to establish that each extinguisher is where it is expected to be. Check whether there are any boxes, newly installed signs or items that could obstruct the view and that fire extinguisher safety signs are easy to see.

    Instructions

    Signs and notices of information need to be kept clean and in pristine condition. If you notice wear or damage these should be replaced. This includes safety signs as well as the information available on the fire extinguisher itself. You want to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, the user could identify what they should do to safely extinguish the fire.

    Locking Pin

    All fire extinguishers have a locking pin that prevents them from being accidentally discharged. This should be visually checked to ensure it is in place and that all relevant seals and tamper indicators are unbroken. If these are found to be damaged, the fire extinguisher will need to be replaced. Sealants like these indicate that an extinguisher is ready, in the event of a fire, and fully loaded to help.

    Volume

    While the locking pin and seals will indicate whether the extinguisher has been used, it is still important to check the volume. Is it full and has it been unused? You need the full capacity to fight fires and the reassurance that the right equipment is available.

    Pressure Rating

    Fire extinguishers have a pressure gauge fitted to them. This is an indicator of whether the gases inside are maintained within safe limits. Check that it sits within the manufacturer’s recommendations.

    A visual inspection not only ensures you remain legally compliant. It also provides peace of mind and reassurance to your employees. And is a means to keep the business safe at all times.

  • Reduce Machine-Related Risks With the Right Signs

    Reduce Machine-Related Risks With the Right Signs

    Large scale machinery, whether it’s used within your warehouse or on your construction site, presents significant hazards. Both users and bystanders can find themselves at risk if the right information is not readily available. Equally, as a business owner, it is your responsibility to prioritise the safety of your employees. This is where our team at Lasting Impressions come into play. In today’s blog, we’re going to look at how you can significantly reduce machine-related risk with the right safety signs.

    What Are the Key Hazards of Machinery in the Workplace?

    A detailed risk assessment is the only way to clearly understand the unique hazards in your workplace. However, knowing the types of accidents and injuries that can occur with machinery gives you a good base to help improve safety.

    • Accidents caused by faulty or unsafe equipment that has not been maintained.
    • Accidents caused when using machinery without the right PPE.
    • Accidents caused by a lack of training.
    • Accidents caused by unsafe equipment.
    • Accidents caused by machinery that is unsuitable for the job at hand.

    What Are Your Responsibilities as an Employer?

    As we mentioned above, you need to ensure that machines are used safely and actively reduce the risk surrounding them in your workplace. As an employer, your responsibilities include:

    • Providing suitable machinery for the job at hand.
    • Ensuring machines are maintained and serviced accordingly.
    • Carrying out regular risk assessments and take action to minimise the risks highlighted.
    • Provide suitable PPE.
    • Ensure safety signs are in place around the machine to inform of specific risks.

    Workplace Machine-Specific Signs

    Here at Lasting Impressions, we supply a wide range of safety signs specifically designed to reduce the risk of accidents by machines. These include options like the ‘Stop Machine Before Removing The Guards’ sign, the ‘Unauthorised Persons Not To Use This Machine’ sign or the ‘Danger Moving Machinery Risk of Trapped Hands’ sign all offer clear and legible instruction to reduce incidents. Once you have performed a risk assessment and identified the specific hazards to your workplace, get in contact with our team here who will help you to identify the right signs required.

  • Managing the Return to Work Safely Post-Lockdown

    Managing the Return to Work Safely Post-Lockdown

    With restrictions due to being lifted here in the UK over the summer, it seems that the end is in sight for virtual working. Returning back to the office and the workplace presents a unique set of challenges for business owners. How will you manage employee emotions and anxiety surrounding the re-entrance into group life? How will you have to adjust the working environment to keep in line with current regulations? And, what steps do you need to implement in order to keep the working environment as safe as possible?

    When Will You Plan the Return to the Office?

    The current recommendations for employees to work from home, where possible, is expected to be lifted around June 2021. From this point, there will be a need to facilitate the return in line with COVID-secure guidance. Employers should have some flexibility in their decision – the pandemic has caused a high degree of stress and worry.

    Understandably, returning to work may feel worrying for many people. Equally, employers can take their own stance, allowing employees to work from home if needed and supporting a hybrid working set-up.

    How to Organise Safety Post-Lockdown

    The key thing to consider when organising the return to work is safety – the working environment needs to be set up to reduce the risk of virus spread. Therefore, the recommendations are to consider a detailed risk assessment that takes into account areas that currently create employee clusters, high-traffic or those with high-touch areas. You need to take into account things such as whether employees can maintain the required social distancing during their work and whether multiple-person touch can be reduced in certain areas.

    How Can Safety Signs Help?

    Here at Lasting Impressions, we’re doing everything we can to support businesses as they look to return to face-to-face work. To do so, we’ve devised a selection of COVID/Social Distancing signs that are tailored to corporate needs. These include everything from hygiene signs to encourage regular handwashing through to temporary anti-slip floor graphics that reinforce social distancing. The specific needs of your business will depend on the unique environment and employee roles. However, we recommend considering safety signs for areas such as:

    • At the entrance and exit to your building, consider hand washing and hand sanitising signs.
    • In the canteen, consider social distancing signs.
    • In the workplace, consider directional signing to reinforce new working spaces.

    All of our Lasting Impressions signs are designed to meet your needs, with easy wipe-clean surfaces and clear information that will be legible by all. If you have any questions or would like support designing your post-lockdown employee return, please do get in contact today.

  • A Guide To Social Distancing In The Workplace

    A Guide To Social Distancing In The Workplace

    While in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic or into the near future, social distancing has become ingrained in our current everyday life. As a means to prevent the spread and protect the health and safety of many, we are being asked to stay 2 meters apart at all times. For businesses, both those that have opened and those still in the planning stages, implementing this social restriction poses a set of unique challenges. But with all aspects of safety in the workplace, the right signs can offer a cost-effective and successful solution. Our guide will help your business open successfully, once allowed.

    What is the 2-meter rule?

    In a means to prevent COVID-19 from spreading quickly through our nation, the 2-meter social distancing rule was introduced at the beginning of lockdown. The idea assumes that this virus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets and that keeping this specified distance will significantly reduce the risk. As of the 4th July, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the 2-meter rule would be replaced with a 1-meter+ guidance, acknowledging that the original distance was often hard to replicate.

    Even with this relaxation, the social distancing restriction still places unique challenges on business owners. From those with brick-and-mortar shops to jobs that require close contact with customers, how will the logistics work in line with this?

    How can this be implemented in businesses?

    The HSE has produced guidance for employers with appropriate measures that should be taken to continue working safely during coronavirus. And, via the GOV.uk website, you can find a multitude of guides to help your business reopen. Here, we will summarise some of the key points you should consider.

    Practical actions pre-opening

    Before your business opens up, it’s important to discover the new hazards posed and implement precautions to minimise these. The following steps are advised by the government:

    • Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment

    Using the HSE guidance, walk around your workplace and identify the areas that present a risk. Consider the virus during your review – where could it be spread? Where is close contact necessary? How many handwashing facilities do you have available etc?

    • Develop appropriate cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures

    Encourage employees to follow the government’s guidance on handwashing and ensure you provide hand sanitiser readily around the building. All items that are touched on a regular basis should be disinfected and cleaned frequently.

    • Where possible, ask employees to work from home

    This isn’t always possible but, even if it’s only select people in your team, encouraging people to work from home minimises the risk of infection spread. Where possible, provide the right equipment, include them in communications and ensure they are able to do their job remotely.

    • Maintain the 2m social distancing guidance, where possible

    During the risk assessment, consider ways to implement the social distancing guidelines into your workplace. This could mean moving desks apart, eliminating shared workstations, using floor tape to mark areas, implementing a one-way system and using safety signs to remind employees of the new rules.

    • Where employees cannot social distance or work from home, manage the risk of transmission

    If you have to open and employees are unable to distance, you need to take measures to reduce the chance of illness. Use screens or barriers for face-to-face meetings, encourage back-to-back working, stagger arrival and departure times and minimise exercises that need direct exposure as much as possible.

    There are a number of industry-specific guides also available on the gov.uk website including ones for:

    COVID-19 and Social Distancing Safety Signs

    To support your business and help the UK economy to get moving once more, we have designed and manufactured a range of social distancing and coronavirus-specific safety signs. Suitable for a wide variety of businesses, they act as reminders for employees and customers.

    COVID-19 Hygiene Safety Signs

    Designed to ensure employees and customers remember to maintain a high level of hygiene, these mandatory safety signs are hardwearing and easy to install. We have a variety on offer, from ‘Catch It, Bin It, Kill It’ vertical signs and Wash Your Hands For 20 Seconds Sign and identifying signs for Hand Sanitiser.

    Fit these signs near all handwashing stations, ensuring they are highly visible and legible. Also, consider the high contact areas where hand sanitiser is vital and use signs to alert readers of its presence.

    COVID-19 Social Distancing Signs

    Suitable for use in the workplace, our social distancing signs act as a reminder of the 2-meter rule. They can be used to advise avoiding contact with others or to specify the maximum people permitted to work in a certain area. We have also manufactured options for customer-facing businesses, like our ‘Queue Here and Wait To Be Called’ or the ‘We Are Open For Business’ sign.

    Use to help ensure compliance with the current rules. Again, these signs should be visible and clear, allowing the information to be read. Place them in areas where foot traffic tends to build up or close contact is likely to occur.

    COVID-19 Workplace Directional Signs

    Implementing a one-way system in the workplace is one of the recommendations for businesses as we begin to reopen. Our directional signs help to specify information such as Entry OnlyPlease Wait Here and Arrows for UpDownLeft and Right.

    When used, place them at eye height next to doorways or in relevant positions.

    Temporary Anti-Slip Coronavirus Floor Graphics

    One way to ensure compliance with the social distancing rule is through our anti-slip floor graphics. Manufactured from British Safety Standard non-slip laminate, these signs are easy to apply and remove when no longer required. They are another visual cue to remind employees and customers of the new regulations. Choose from simple Please Keep Behind 2m Safety Line designs to Please Stand Here and Keep Your Distance signs.

    Use on walkways or areas where queues generally build-up to emphasize safety.

    COVID-19 Social Distancing Floor Stand

    Another temporary option for many businesses are our floor stands that have been printed with social distancing messaging. These can be used in settings where queues or groups of people move regularly or in applications that don’t have a set location. Again, the designs include everything from Please Stay Within Marked Lines and One Way Aisle through to Please Queue Here options too.

    Our team stays on top of government regulations and design signs to suit the needs of customers from various industries. If you have any questions about our COVID-19/Social Distancing range or have a bespoke requirement for a sign, get in contact with the team here today who will be happy to help.