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  • Everything You Need to Know About Drone Safety

    Everything You Need to Know About Drone Safety

    While safety signs and drones may feel like a distant partnership, understanding the risk of these machines gives your business more secure. Here in the UK, there are a number of rules and regulations in place to manage the use of drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know – both about being a business prohibiting drone use and being an owner of one of these machines.

    What Is a Drone?

    Within the aviation sphere, a drone is known as an unpiloted aircraft. It is essentially a flying robot that is controlled remotely or has been programmed to fly autonomously on a specific trajectory. They have risen in popularity recently, mainly in line with their depreciation in cost. Originally, drones were used in the forces as a means of military protection. Today, they are used for a number of recreational activities including aerial photography/videos and to deliver machinery in a quick, efficient manner.

    What Businesses Need to Consider Drone Use?

    The use of drones can span a variety of industries. Specifically, it is those that operate above the general public that needs to be managed. Many wedding venues or videographers choose to use drones to record ceremonies, giving a unique perspective on a special day. Equally, businesses may choose to have a promotional video made about their company, which showcases the premises from the sky.

    What Permissions Are Needed?

    All local councils set their own rules surrounding local drone flying policies. There are several locations in the UK where drone flying is prohibited. This is largely in areas such as national parks or English heritage sites – known as no-fly zones. Websites such as No Fly Drones lists all of the places in the UK where drones cannot be used. For any drone being used for photographic purposes, permission needs to be gained from the landowner.

    Do Drone Owners Need a License?

    No. At present, there are no license requirements for drone owners. There are, however, regulations supplied by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) that specify:

    • A drone must weigh less than 20kg.
    • It must be flown in a safe manner.
    • It must be in direct sight at all times.
    • Care must be taken to ensure it does not collide with another aircraft.
    • It must not endanger anyone or anything else.
    • It must be flown at a height of 400ft or less.

    While you don’t need a license, you do have to take a drone safety test to minimise the risk of accidents. If your model weighs over a certain amount, it must be registered and there is a ban restricting the use near airports. To monitor this, there are synchronisable apps that alert the user if a drone is moving closer to a no-fly area.

    What Risks Do Drones Present?

    Here at Lasting Impressions, we are all about mitigating risk. And, to do this, you need to understand what types of hazards are common in relation to drones. The exact ones that relate to your business will differ, depending on the manner in which they are used. However, understanding the scope of risk allows you to be better informed when it comes to putting in place restrictions around drone use. Some common accidents or risks include:

    • Radio Frequency Interference – If the signal between your remote and the machine becomes broken, it can result in a loss of control. On occasion, the drone free falls and presents significant hazards. Falling objects from height are very dangerous and have the potential to be fatal.
    • Invasion of Privacy – As we mentioned above, you must seek permission from the landowner before using a drone with a camera. Without this, you are breaching their right to privacy and open up the scope of criminal activity.
    • Aerial Surveillance – There have been reports of drone use to illegally surveillance an area. Again, this is a direct violation of privacy.
    • Data Collection – Any data collection should be managed legally and respectfully. Utilising a drone, which can fly largely undetected at height, to gain this information is unlawful.
    • Lack of Training – Without the proper training, drone flying can present a significant risk to wildlife, buildings and people on the ground.
    • Lack of Aviation Knowledge – There needs to be a clear understanding of the restrictions around flying in public spaces. This includes knowledge of no-fly areas and commercial flight routes. Without this, people can find their drone in dangerous situations with little knowledge of how they have broken a rule.

    The Need for Drone Signage

    When it comes to safety signs for drone use, there are two categories – prohibition and information.

    Prohibitory Drone Signs

    As the name suggests, these signs prohibit the use of drones in an area. The responsibility to provide this information in a clear and concise form to guests and visitors lies with you. Our ‘Use of Drones Is Prohibited In This Area’ signs come in both standard and large portrait. We also have residential designs such as ‘Private Property – Remote Controlled Aircraft Prohibited’ or ‘No Drones – Use of Drones and UAVs Prohibited’ designs. All of these are adequate for informing individuals that this action is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

    Information Drone Signs

    On the flip side, we also have a range of informational drone signs that advise visitors and guests that drones will be flying in the local area. These include ‘Aerial Photography – Caution Drone Operating Signs’ which also come as floor stands for temporary use. Within the floor stand range, you have the option of grey or yellow, depending on the intensity required at any given sight.

    Drones may be rising in popularity but, as a business owner, it is your right to decide whether they have permission to film on your premises. Here at Lasting Impressions, we design signs that help you safely pass on information in a clear, legible fashion. If you would like more information about these signs, please do get in contact here today.

  • What do the colours on signs mean?

    What do the colours on signs mean?

    Here in the UK, all safety signs are manufactured to abide by The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. By law, they are required to provide information to employees and visitors to minimise the risk of serious injury in a specified place. To ensure compliance and clear understanding, most signs fall into 4 groupings which are categorised by specific colours. This standardised requirement ensures that signs placed around a workplace can be easily read and instructions followed, without the need for excessive explaining or training.

    Safety sign colours and their meanings

    Red

    We universally recognise the colour red as providing a prohibition. For this reason, it is used on prohibitory signs that are designed to highlight a dangerous situation. This may be a situation that poses a constant threat or one that could be caused without this key information. Generally, red signs feature a round, thick-bordered red circle with a diagonal line striking out an image of the hazard. Additional text is included on the sign to emphasise the warning.

    Yellow

    Yellow safety signs are used to warn readers that they need to take care or specific cautions in a given space. The yellow used here is bold and highly visible, being paired with black for a strong contrast. Most yellow signs use a triangle in the design, which is the universally accepted shape for warning. This has a black thick edge and a black image of the specified hazard within. As with prohibition signs, text is included to further emphasise the warning in question.

    Blue

    Blue signs are some of the most common options in workplaces and are known as mandatory signs. The information given specifies a behaviour or action that must occur to minimise the risk of injury or hazards in a specified area. This includes signs that dictate the use of eye protection for safety or the need for a fire door to be kept shut at all times.

    Green

    Green signs are used for safety and pass on vital information that will keep users safe in the event of an emergency. Think fire exit signs or those used to highlight the location of a first aid box. They are normally rectangular and feature white text and images to emphasise their purpose.

    It is your responsibility, as a business owner, to ensure that safety signs are placed appropriately throughout your property. We can help here at Lasting Impressions, with our wide range of Fire Safety Signs.

  • What are the four main types of safety signs?

    What are the four main types of safety signs?

    This blog post will outline the four main types of safety signs as per the UK regulations. Safety signs are vital for your workplace as they can add a sense of peace of mind for your employees, and will aid in keeping your employees safe.

    Safety signs will provide orders, instructions, information and guidance on codes of conduct around your building. Professional signs will offer information clearly and boldly, making it easy for anyone to understand, which is essential during an emergency.

    It is essential that you understand what signs are needed for your workplace. Nearly every workplace will need safety signs, so make sure you know the different types of safety signs available. These four main types of signs are following the health and safety regulations of 1996.

    Prohibition signs

    Prohibition signs prohibit certain behaviours that may increase the chances of a hazard. Prohibition signs include access signs, general prohibition signs, machinery prohibition signs and prohibition logo signs. Prohibition logo signs can include keep off scaffolding logo sign, no admittance logo signs or no children logo sign; all of these signs are clear and easy to understand.

    Warning Signs

    Warning signs provide a warning about a specific hazard or danger that could affect the surrounding area. General warning signs are included in this category and refer to caution wet floor signs, danger drop signs and beware obstacle signs, to name a few.

    Mandatory Signs

    Mandatory signs inform works, customers, visitors and other individuals that this area requires specific behaviour that must be adhered to. Mandatory signs can include machinery and general mandatory signs; for example, use hand sanitiser, use guard or guards must be in position before starting. Other signs can include mandatory ear protection signs, eye and face protection signs, footwear signs, head protection signs and more.

    Emergency Escape/Fire-Aid Signs

    These signs provide information about emergency exits, rescue facilities or where first aid is located. Emergency escape/fire-aid signs can refer to danger fire risk signs, L.P.G. highly flammable signs and more.

    Contact us

    If you have any questions about our safety signs, feel free to contact a member of our Lasting Impressions team today. We are always happy to help with questions you might have.

  • Are safety signs really necessary?

    Are safety signs really necessary?

    When it comes to safety in the workplace, correct signage is essential. Unlike those used for decoration, these vital signs provide key information to all workers, guests, residents, visitors, etc. And, specifically for construction sites and other hazardous environments, they are also a legal requirement. In today’s blog, we’ll look at why safety signs are so essential.

    Preventing Injury

    One of the primary uses of safety signs is to prevent injury and accidents. By keeping key information to hand at all times, everyone is kept aware of the correct code of practice. This extends right across the sign spectrum, from fire exit signs through to quality control signs and even hotel signs.

    Ensuring Compliance

    It is important that your business stays compliant with all legal requirements. Many safety signs are designed to help you do just this, ensuring you are providing key information to all guests. They are also one of the most effective ways of guaranteeing that every worker on site follows your individual rules – something that can have an impact on various insurance policies too.

    Provide Direction

    There are various situations where a visitor to your workplace may find themselves unfamiliar with the layout. Equally, there is always the chance that (especially in larger buildings) where experienced staff may find themselves in an unfamiliar part of the building. In these instances, directional safety signs ensure that everyone is still able to vacate the premises in the event of an emergency.

    Legal Requirement

    As mentioned above, safety signs are a legal requirement for many working environments. Some of the most comprehensive legislations surrounding this includes the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals Regulation) 1996. This states that:

    ‘Safety signs and signals are required where, despite putting in place all other relevant measures, a significant risk to the health and safety of employees and others remains.’

    Safety signs are required is a risk assessment made under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 indicates that they are the most suitable method for reducing risks to employees. This applies to the whole of Great Britain, excluding Northern Ireland.

    Here at Lasting Impressions, we pride ourselves in offering one of the largest online collections of safety signs for all businesses. Get in touch today and let a member of our sales team work with you to ensure your work building is fully compliant and up to date with all current legislations and UK law requirements.

  • Which safety signs should your construction site display?

    Which safety signs should your construction site display?

    No matter where your construction site is located, there are specific regulations you need to follow in terms of signage. All workers, guests and visitors must have access to clear information which keeps them safe at all times. Therefore, it is important that you have the right construction site signs on display at all times. This blog post will list and explain some of the signs you may need.

    Fire Escape Route Signs

    If your site is small (such as a single house renovation) and there are clear escape routes, you may only need to have a simple fire exit sign above the relevant doorways. With larger sites, it may be necessary to create an escape route to the closest exit using directional signs to guide users. These will feature arrows pointing in the correct direction.

    Assembly Point Signs

    It is vital that you have safe points where individuals can assemble during a fire or emergency. This is where assembly point signs come in handy and form a vital role in your workplace.

    Fire Equipment Signs

    This form of signage directs the reader to the closest piece of fire equipment, whether this be a fire extinguisher, blanket or alarm.

    Fire Door Signs

    Ensure everyone knows which doors are fire doors and which can be used freely with fire door signs. These should be placed on every entry and exit door that complies with current legislation.

    PPE Requirement Signs

    Construction sites pose specific risks to the well-being of workers. Therefore, it is vital that you have signs informing employees of the relevant PPE (personal protective equipment) requirements. This includes noise hazard signs and multi-hazard scaffold banners.

    Temporary Traffic & Site Works Signs

    Organising traffic on a construction site is vital to ensuring the safety of every visitor. The right traffic signs will help you do just this, restricting access and directing vehicles down the safest route.

    General Building Site Signs

    Finally, specific to construction sites, there are many informative building site signs that you will need. This includes Site Entrance signs and Danger Men At Work Signs.

    Here at Lasting Impressions, we have a wide range of construction site signs available at the best online prices. Get in touch today if you need any further information.

  • A Guide to Water Safety

    A Guide to Water Safety

    Water presents a significant hazard and one that many people overlook. The WHO states that drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional jury death worldwide with an estimated 236,000 annual deaths. This accounts for almost 8% of the total global mortality. If your business or property sits by a bed of water, it is important to consider water safety in all activities and actions. At Lasting Impressions, we design safety signs for a multitude of situations. In this guide, we’ll walk through water safety, providing all the information you need to know to stay safe.

    Why Is Water So Hazardous?

    Of the substantial number of deaths related to drowning in the world, the RLSS UK reports that more than 400 people drown in the UK and Ireland every single year. On top of this, many more non-fatal experiences can result in life-altering injuries. Of these, 85% of accidental drownings happen in open water sites. And, they are largely due to a lack of knowledge and understanding about the dangers these present.

    If you manage a swimming pool, open green area or body of water, it is imperative that you have and provide the right information about water safety. Let’s look at the different recommendations for water safety from the RISS.

    Swimming Pool Safety

    • Provide constant supervision to young children.
    • Follow the pool’s individual rules.
    • Make sure you have an understanding of features such as the depth, water flow and layout.
    • Don’t enter the pool after consuming alcohol.

    Open Water Safety

    • Be considerate of the impact that cold water can have on your body, including shock.
    • Be aware of the lack of safety equipment.
    • Be aware of the depth of the water.
    • Know that certain underwater items and hazards may not be easily visible from the surface.
    • Know that currents can rapidly sweep people away.
    • Be aware of uneven banks and river beds.
    • Be aware of the water quality.

    Running or Walking by Water

    55% of all drowning victims were running or walking near a body of water and never intended on going in. The recommendations are:

    • Stay clear of the bank edges which can be unstable.
    • Where possible, run or walk with a friend.
    • Stay in well lit and high traffic areas.
    • Have an understanding of basic survival skills.
    • If you fall in, try to float on your back.
    • Be aware of the UK tides, which are relatively regular and predictable.

    Water Safety for Anglers

    • Have a clear understanding of CPR and basic lifesaving skills.
    • Wear a flotation vest and non-slip footwear.
    • Access the area you plan to occupy and opt for one with solid footing.
    • Take your mobile phone with you.
    • Be aware of flooded wellington boots or waders that can make moving in water difficult.
    • Be aware of local hazards, including currents, undercut banks and weirs.
    • Keep a throw line on you and knowledge of how to use it.
    • Know your location so this information can be passed on if needed.

    Signs for Water Safety

    While having good knowledge of water safety is the best way to reduce the risk of injury, having the right information on hand is also a smart move. Water safety signs do just this – provide clear and easy-to-understand information that can be read and understood by anyone. Here at Lasting Impressions, we have a variety of signs specifically designed for water safety, to suit all manner of different locations.

    General Water Signs

    These signs are designed to give the general public instructions on where it is safe to carry out specific activities. These include Fishing, Diving, Swimming and Surfing.

    Water Prohibition Signs

    These signs are specifically available to reduce risk around water. They include designs such as ‘No Swimming’, No Snorkeling and No Diving.

    Water Warning Signs

    These signs provide specific hazard information, designed to improve information and prevent injury. They include options such as Danger Shallow Water, Warning Sudden Drop and Beware Strong Currents.

    For those running a commercial swimming location or managing an open body of water, performing a risk assessment will highlight the areas that need to be marked with safety signs. We also have an experienced team on hand who can provide advice and guidance around this matter. Get in contact today or browse our Water Safety Signs on our website.

  • HSE Stats on Injuries at Work – How Safe are the Nation’s Workplaces?

    HSE Stats on Injuries at Work – How Safe are the Nation’s Workplaces?

    HSE stats on injuries at work – how safe are the nation’s workplaces?

    Certain workplaces can be dangerous places. Even with the right safety systems in place, accidents can and do still happen. There are so many types of injury that can happen in the workplace, but the most common include:

    Slips, trips and falls – These account for almost a third of all workplace injuries and they can result in broken bones, cuts, sprains, pulled muscles and back injuries. They are caused by wet or oily surfaces, loose flooring or flooring with incorrect traction, obstructed views, uncovered cables, poor lighting, uneven surfaces or drawers not being closed properly.

    Moving machinery – Machinery that doesn’t have the proper guards is another safety hazard. Body parts or clothing can get stuck in the moving parts of the machine and the results can be catastrophic. The majority of accidents occur in businesses where machinery is used to cut, shape, bore or form material when using systems that move such as pulleys, belts, rods, couplings or flywheels or any other machine that can move or rotate.

    Transport and vehicles – Where employees need to operate equipment or drive large trucks or vehicles there is always the potential for accidents such as becoming stuck or being run over by a moving vehicle, falling out of the vehicle or being struck by falling objects.

    Fire and explosion – Unexpected fires can occur in the workplace, specifically in an industry where a fault in electrics or gas lines can cause this type of workplace accident.

    Repetitive stress – Musculoskeletal injuries can occur from repetitive work and these form the largest segment of workplace injuries.

    Workplace Injury Statistics

    Between 2017 and 2018, the Health and Safety Executive recorded:

    • 1.4 million people who suffer from an illness related to their work
    • 2,595 deaths from mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in 2016
    • 144 deaths in the workplace
    • 555,000 workplace injuries as reported by the Labour Force Survey
    • 71,062 injuries recorded under RIDDOR legislation

    The total cost of injuries and ill health from working conditions at the present time between 2016 and 2017 was £15 billion.

    There are lots of steps that employers can take to reduce the occurrence of workplace injuries and illnesses. One of these strategies is through suitable signage. Placing safety signs around the workplace and particularly in high risk areas is one of the best ways to draw people’s attention to the risks, no matter how small they may seem. It can also encourage employees to take greater care, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace.

  • Are you Legally Obligated to have Safety Signs?

    Are you Legally Obligated to have Safety Signs?

    Whether you are legally obligated to display safety signs will depend on the nature of your business and the level of risk that it presents. To determine what safety signs your business will need, it is important that you undertake a detailed risk assessment to properly highlight any hazards in the workplace. As a minimum, every place of work should display fire safety signs under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This is because visitors and employees need to know the location of emergency exits and escape routes in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, businesses should also display a ‘No Smoking’ sign under the Smoke-Free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006. Best practice would suggest that you also clearly display first aid signs and CCTV in operation signs where it is used.

    As a general rule, the higher the risk in the workplace, the more signs will need to be displayed. A high-risk business would need to display signs to notify employees and visitors of the dangers as they move their way around a building. This could, for example, be in a factory that manufactures goods, a laboratory or an industrial site that handles chemicals.

    Business owners should be fully aware of the risks that are present on their premises and the signs that you need will become apparent as you complete the risk assessment. These assessments should take place on a regular basis because nothing remains the same forever; working practices change, chemicals that you handle could become more or less risky or you could add a new piece of equipment to your existing building that requires caution.

    You are not legally obliged to display a sign unless it goes some way to helping reduce the risk or the risk is negligible. As a result, this can sometimes lead to confusion as to whether a sign is needed or not. Signs that are recommended include those outlined above as well as a UK Health and Safety Legislation Poster. Current guidelines for the use of safety signs are covered by the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1995.

    There are four types of signs, prohibition and fire, mandatory, caution and safe condition. It will be up to the business owner to determine which ones are most applicable and how risky the workplace is. Current guidance from the Health and Safety Executive provides comprehensive information on what signs you need to display depending on your business and all organisations should be familiar with these.

  • Safety Signs FAQ

    Safety Signs FAQ

    This blog post will discuss the most common questions our clients and customers have asked. If you have any questions about safety signs, check out the content below to see if we can help.

    How can I make my workplace safer?

    We have a range of safety signs with different formats and sizes for different workplace situations, including catering, electrical warning signs, farm signs and more. You can check out our workplace safety signs here.

    What materials are available?

    Some of our materials include self-adhesive vinyl and 1mm rigid plastic.

    How much is delivery?

    Free delivery is provided to online orders over £25 (excluding VAT), while orders under £25, with economy services, will cost £1.95 in delivery costs. You can find a list of all delivery costs here.

    Do your fire safety signs comply with regulations?

    All of our fire safety signs comply with BS 5499-2:1986 – fire safety signs, notice and graphic symbols. Our fire safety signs are also made following the health and safety regulations 1996 and, where applicable, they abide with EN ISO 7010:2012.

    Where are your signs made?

    Our safety signs are manufactured by us here in the UK.

    Are there different types of signs?

    Yes. There are four main types of signs, including prohibition signs, warning signs, mandatory signs and emergency escape/fire-aid signs.

    Can I use the same sign for every industry?

    No. Different environments present different hazards, which mean you will need a different safety sign. Four main industries in the UK require safety signs, including construction, healthcare, retail and office-based.

    What are health and safety signs?

    Health and safety signs provide information, instruction or guidance about health and safety in the workplace.

    What makes up a safety sign?

    There are four main components of a safety sign, including colour, shape, text and pictogram.

    Contact us

    If you have a question that was not addressed above, feel free to contact a member of our dedicated team today. We are always happy to help with questions you might have.

  • What to think about when creating your own sign

    What to think about when creating your own sign

    When creating your sign, there are a few factors you need to consider before jumping right into the creation. This blog post contains helpful tips on things you need to consider when designing a sign. We discuss elements such as the location, spelling and the design itself.

    What is your message?

    Before you start on the physical sign, you should know what message you want to convey is. Write down some ideas; work on which font, colours and design you want. Ultimately, you should design your sign first; work on measurements and the overall purpose of this sign before jumping into creating it.

    Location

    Where will your sign be located once it is complete? When designing your sign, you should take into consideration where it will be put. Will it be located in a busy street or beside a road? The location of your sign will determine what colours, fonts and message you will be choosing and if it is right for that location.

    Spot on Spelling

    You don’t want to end up on a ‘top five signs that have gone wrong’ so make sure your spelling is spot on. Even if you are 100% sure you have spelt everything right, make sure you get a second opinion and someone to proofread your sign.

    Sometimes, we can look at something for so long that we don’t see the mistake we have made.

    Punctuation

    On the subject of spelling, you should also make sure your punctuation is in the right place. A misplaced comma or apostrophe can change the entire meaning of a word or sentence, so make sure all your punctuation is in the right place. As suggested in the first tip, ask for a second opinion to proofread your sign.

    Colour

    The colour of your sign is an essential factor to consider, as you want to make sure it matches your brand, need or overall aim of the sign. You have to consider the background colour as well as the colour of the text. You should aim to make your sign noticeable for the right reasons, and that starts with the right colours.

    We have the signs

    If designing a sign seems like too much work, or you do not have the time to create your own sign, we have a collection of safety signs that get the job done. Take a look through our extensive collection of safety signs that have been crafted to a high-standard and abide by British Standards.