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Can I Prevent Every Accident in the Workplace?
As an employer, the wealth of responsibility falls on you when it comes to health and safety. In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it is your legal requirement to implement procedures that minimise the risk of accident and injury. If you’re dealing with a high-risk environment, such as a laboratory or warehouse, it’s tempting to wonder whether all risks can be eliminated. Can I actually prevent every accident from happening in the workplace? In this blog, we’ll discuss how managing risk and setting up the right actions is the best course of action for every employer.

Why Is There a Risk of an Accident in the Workplace?

In every working environment, there is some degree of risk. Whether this is due to human-error, stock movement, or simply a number of individuals occupying the same space at the same time. It is impossible to avoid risk entirely. The best thing that a business can do is assess the hazards at hand, agree on ways to minimise them, and reassess the working environment regularly.

How Do I Prevent Accidents in the Workplace?

The only way you can minimise or prevent the risk of accidents at work is to first understand that they exist. One of the most comprehensive ways to do this is to carry out a risk assessment. This is a process by which you evaluate all of the risks to your employee’s health and safety. To do so, you will:

Identify the hazards and the factors that have the potential to cause harm. This is also known as hazard identification.

Analyse and evaluate the risks. Here, you will determine which risks are most prominent and need to be addressed urgently.

Decipher ways to eliminate the risk (if possible) or control it in an appropriate manner.

Risk assessments are an internal process that doesn’t carry any legal weight. However, they are imperative to understanding the potential problems that your employees could face. We recommend carrying them out with a number of appointed bodies within your business. Make a note of all of your findings, the determinations on how serious each hazard is, and how you plan to address them. This way, your new procedures can be reassessed on a regular basis to ensure they are in keeping with any changes.

Managing the risk of accidents in the workplace is the best way to help protect employees, guests, and visitors. You will never be able to entirely eliminate risk but reducing it significantly will create a happier and more thriving environment. Lasting Impressions designs signs to help you do just this. Providing visual reminders, information, and advice to prevent accidents, they are a vital addition to your workplace. If you would like to speak to a member of our specialist team about managing accident risk, get in contact with us here today.
November 3, 2023
Warehouse Safety Signs – What Do You Need to Know?
Warehouses are unique and challenging environments for every business. In these bustling settings, people, vehicles, and stock are in constant movement. As the link between business and customer, these environments are some of the most important when it comes to maintaining good brand satisfaction. Therefore, having a happy and healthy team working here is vital. Maintaining safety in warehouses falls to the employer. It is your role to ensure that all measures and precautions are taken to minimise the risk of hazards and injury. Warehouse safety signs act as a visual reminder, reinforcing specific rules and procedures in line with this. In today’s blog, we’ll take a look at how you can implement safety signs into this area of your business for the protection of all staff, visitors, and guests.

The Role of Warehouse Safety Signs

In any working environment, a sign is a visual cue. It should be placed in a prime position – meaning an area where a specific action or hazard is most likely to occur. They are also used at points of prevention or areas where other actions may prevent the risk of an accident. Safety signs are designed to provide clear and concise information to the reader. They are designed with well-recognisable graphics and colour-schemes that are universally recognised.

In warehouses, hazards arise due to several factors. These include:

Moving vehicles.

Poor housekeeping.

Transporting stock/goods.

Manual lifting.

Exposure to chemicals.

In all of these situations, the right signs work to reduce the risk and remind employees of their responsibilities.

The Right Signs for Your Warehouse

Once you have carried out a risk assessment to better understand where and what the specific hazards are for your warehouse, you can begin to implement the right signage. For example, Danger Fork Lift Signs or Dang/producter Beware of Moving Vehicle Signs remind employees and visitors to be alert to these potential hazards. Please Use Bins Provided General Signs and Do Not Litter Signs encourage people to dispose of their rubbish safely, reducing the likelihood of trip hazards.

The Health & Safety at Work Guide Poster provides practical information about reducing risks, including advice on proper manual handling techniques. As does the Safe Manual Handling Poster and Risk Assessment Safety Poster. A combination of these displayed appropriately around the workplace will help to reduce the risk of accidents for everyone within the work premises.

Understanding safety signs for different areas of your business is our speciality here at Lasting Impressions. If you cannot find what you’re looking for on our website, please get in contact with our friendly team today.
November 3, 2023
How to Create a Fire Escape Plan for Your Business
One of your most pressing requirements as a business owner is to maintain the safety of your employees, visitors, and guests. To do this, you need to have a safe and well-practised fire escape plan that can be adopted by everyone on your premises. It’s important to remember that, in the event of a fire or equally hazardous emergency, there will be a sense of chaos and confusion in the air. Minimizing the risk of a serious accident is your top priority and one of the best ways to do this is by ensuring everyone leaves the building in a swift and organized manner. In this blog, we’ll show you how to create a fire escape plan that works.

What is a Fire Escape Plan?

Essential to any business, a fire escape plan is a structured document which details all of the actions that need to be adopted in the event of a fire or emergency. It should be created with the layout and specific requirements of both your building and employees in mind. You need to ensure that this plan is easy-to-follow, well-structured, and adaptable, should any needs change. It needs to be taught to all employees and practised at least once annually. This document aims to ensure there is a clear route to escape the building which takes everyone away from the immediate danger.

What to consider

While every fire escape plan will differ to suit the business, there are several things everyone should consider. These include:

What should a person do upon hearing the fire alarm?

What should a person do upon discovering a fire?

Who is responsible for calling the fire brigade?

Who is responsible for isolating the power to the building, if required?

Who are the designated fire wardens or marshals?

Where are the assembly points?

Who is responsible for performing the roll call during assembly?

What fire fighting equipment is available and who is designated to use it?

What training will you need to provide to ensure your fire exit plan is followed?

Fire Escape Signs

The right fire exit signs will help to ensure fire routes can be followed – even by those who don’t have previous knowledge of your building. Arrow Up, Arrow Down, and Fire Exit Keep Clear signs are just some of the options available to help improve safety in your workplace.

There is also a host of guidance available across the Internet to help you devise a fire escape plan that works, including this one from the Fire Safety Advice Centre. If you have any further questions about planning a fire escape route of the relevant signs needed to support your business, please get in contact with our team at Lasting Impressions today.
November 3, 2023
Where Should Your First Aid Box Be Stored?
If you’re in charge of maintaining the health & safety in your workplace, recognizing the First Aid needs should be high up your list. In the event of an accident, you need to make sure you have the right tools on hand to deal with it and prevent a more serious occurrence from happening. One question we get here regularly at Lasting Impressions, where should our first aid box be stored? This blog will help you to identify the best location in your building.

What Businesses Require a First Aid Box?

In accordance with The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, first aid is a legal requirement for every business. Employers are required to provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment that allows employees to receive immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work. The type and size of the first aid box required by your business specifically depend on a number of factors, including:

The layout of your building.

The number of employees, guests, or visitors.

The range of hazards presented.

Where Should a First Aid Box Be Stored?

While you definitely need to have one, there is no specific location specified by existing regulations. You need to choose a location that:

Is close to the most significant risks.

Makes the box easy-to-access.

Allows the box to remain clearly visible.

And, has been signposted by a ‘First Aid Kit’ sign.

Most businesses will require a simple sign, such as our First Aid Sign in either Portrait or Landscape format. Slightly larger establishments may benefit from informational designs, such as the ‘Your First Aiders Are / Nearest First Aid Box’ sign which can be written on with the names of your designated first air professionals.

If your business has other essential First Aid equipment that extends past a simple kit, there are more specific signs available. Options such as the First Aid Stretcher sign or the Breathing Apparatus sign are ideal for ensuring these items can be found in the event of an emergency.

Here at Lasting Impressions, we design, manufacture, and distribute a wide range of first aid signs to suit every need. If you would like to discuss your individual business requirements with our business, get in contact with our team here today.
November 3, 2023
Hand Hygiene – A Guide To Preventing Germ Spread At Work
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has now become a legal requirement for employers to provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers to employees, guests and visitors. As the virus is a spread through contact, keeping our hands clean at all times is one of the most practical ways we can actively reduce the spread. While this simple task has also had its place within our everyday lives, the life-threatening implications involved when it is done incorrectly now means more focus has to be placed on providing clear and easy-to-understand guidance. As an employer, it is your responsibility to understand the new guidance and implement methods to reinforce it within the workplace.

This guide will look at everything you need to know about appropriate hand hygiene, including how the use of safety signs can help.

What is proper hand hygiene?

The number of surfaces we touch in a single day, or even a single hour, can rise into the hundreds. If you take a few moments to consider where your hands have been over the past 10 minutes, it becomes almost overwhelming to consider the points of contact and potential infection sights we touched.

Hand hygiene is one such way we can prevent the spread of coronavirus. This is true for reducing the risk of us catching the virus ourselves or passing it on to someone more vulnerable. Using water and soap allows us to physically remove dirt from our hands. It makes our hands slippery, causing germs to be pulled or and rinsed away. Additionally, the soap itself will help to break down the virus which is encased in a layer of fat known as a lipid envelope. This makes it more vulnerable and less likely to cause infection.

Studies published in 2013 showed that as little as 5% of people actually wash their hands properly – whether this is by foregoing soap or washing for too short a timeframe. According to the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), you need to spend at least 20 seconds washing our hands.

Techniques for proper hand hygiene

Giving instructions for washing hands may seem ridiculous. However, as we mentioned above, such a small percentage of individuals take the initiative to do it according to guidelines. During a time of significant danger from coronavirus, we need to ensure everyone understands where they may be falling short.

The World Health Organisation have created posters detailing the 12 steps to effective hand washing. These are as follows:
1. Wet your hands with water
2. Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces
3. Rub hands palm-to-palm
4. Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and visa versa
5. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced
6. Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked
7. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and visa versa
8. Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with a clasped finger of the right hand in left palm and visa versa
9. Rinse hands in water
10. Dry hands thoroughly with a single-use towel
11. Use the towel to turn off the tap
12. Your hands are now safe
When should my employees be washing their hands?

With our hands being one of the most high-contact areas on our bodies, it’s important we keep them clean as regularly as possible. The CDC recommends washing your hands:
- Before, during and after preparing food
- Before eating
- Before and after tending to someone who is sick
- Before and after cleaning a cut or wound
- After going to the bathroom
- After changing nappies or helping a child in the bathroom
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- After touching an animal or pet food
- After touching rubbish
In light of the COVID-19 situation, you should also wash your hands:
- After you have been in a public place
- After you have touched a surface that is frequently touched by others (e.g lift button, door handles, taps etc)
How can I support hand hygiene in my workplace?

Legal requirements during this time demand that you have handwashing facilities or hand sanitiser available at the entry and exit points of your workplace. This provides people with the reminder to clean or cleanse their hands before bringing potentially harmful viruses in.

Alongside this, one of the most effective ways to promote proper hand hygiene is through safety signs. When implemented around high contact locations in your building, they actively promote this new regulation. There are a range of options available to suit your needs.

Instructional Hand Washing Signs

These blue and white signs are designed to give clear directions to the readers. They can be full of information, such as the Prevent Coronavirus – Catch It Bin It Kill It Sign or more simplistic, such as Wash Your Hands Sign.

First Aid Hand Washing Signs

Available in a green and white colour combination, these signs help support the first aid messaging around your workplace. Here, you’ll find signage for hand sanitising which features visual imagery and bold text for clear recognition.

Multi-Informational Signs

Finally, for busy locations or areas where staff turnover is high, our multi-informational Social Distancing Sign presents information about the risks, activities to avoid and how to best protect yourself all in one.

Here at Lasting Impressions, we curated the COVID Hygiene / Social Distancing Sign collection in response to demands on UK businesses. Our signs are all printed here in the UK, using wipe-clean materials and customisable to suit your needs. If you have any questions about how best to implement appropriate hand washing in your business, please get in contact with the team here today.
November 3, 2023
Understanding school safety sign requirements
Our schools and educational settings help to support the adults of tomorrow. Ensuring they are run safely and efficiently is at the height of importance. School safety signs, like in many other environments, provide information and advice. As with any setting, a comprehensive risk assessment should be the first step to ensuring you find the right sign for your needs. In this blog, we’ll go over the different safety signs you may need and how they help to minimise accidents.

Subject-Specific Safety Signs

Some subjects, specifically those within the Science domain, require students to work with dangerous chemicals and equipment. As with any activity of this manner, these should be done under supervision and with trained professionals. To reinforce the procedures that you have put into place, safety signs offer reminders and a simple way to ensure confusion is minimised. You may need:

Wear Goggles Sign.

Wear Welding Mask.

Ear Protection.

Wear Protective Footwear Sign.

Corrosive Materials / Use Hand Protection Sign.

Lab Coats Must Be Worn Sign.

Fire Safety Signs

Fire safety in schools and educational settings is covered by the Regulatory Reform Order 2005. It requires businesses in this sector to ensure procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of fires, maintain fire detection and alarm systems and ensure staff and pupils are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures. Fire safety signs exist to minimise risk and direct people through an approved escape route, in the event of a fire or emergency. You may need:

Fire Exit Signs.

Assembly Point Signs.

Fire Door Signs.

Refuge Point Signs.

Door Safe Condition Signs.

Safe Condition Signs.

Fire Equipment Signs.

Fire Action Signs.

Fire Extinguisher ID Signs.

General Housekeeping Signs

To minimise risk in any working environment, good housekeeping rules are essential. With the high foot traffic and visitor numbers generally found in schools, this is even more important. You want to implement procedures that ensure rubbish is properly disposed of, fire exit routes aren’t blocked and items are tidied away. You may need:

Do Not Litter.

Keep Area Free From Obstructions.

Staircase Must Be Kept Clear Of All Obstructions.

Caution Wet Floor Stand.

Car Park Signs

Large moving vehicles and delivery trucks pose a safety risk to children and adults alike. It’s important that you have car park signs in place to advise drivers of how they should act in this environment. You may need:

Visitors Car Park.

Private Car Park.

Contractors Car Park.

Car Park Disclaimer Sign.

Access Signs

To minimise congestion, many schools implement one-way systems or specific routes. This creates a steady stream of foot traffic during class transitions and at other times during the day. To do this successfully and with the least impact on employee time, safety signs can be used to offer direction. For this, you may need:

One Way Arrow Left.

One Way Arrow Right.

The team here at Lasting Impressions are always on hand to help ensure you find the right safety signs for your specific needs. If you have any questions about school safety requirements or cannot find what you’re looking for, please get in contact with the team here today.
November 3, 2023
What catering safety signs does my business need?
The catering industry is unique in many ways. The risks and hazards posed here don’t just impact you and your employees. They can also extend further afield, potentially causing harm to customers and even guests, in some instances. For this reason, you must prioritise safety in the workplace. And, one way of doing this is to implement the right catering safety signs. Today’s blog will walk you through the different essential signs that you should consider in your business.

When to use catering safety signs?

As with any busy premises, the use of safety signs should always be well-considered. You want to identify the risks, how significant they are and who they are likely to impact. Performing regular, structured risk assessments are the best way to do this. From the information you uncover, you’ll be able to pinpoint exactly where additional information or advice is needed to either reduce or eliminate a hazard.

Must-have catering safety signs

There are 2 main situations where you will need signs for your catering business – to avoid contamination during food preparation/storage etc and to ensure employee safety. If your business also offers a restaurant or sit-down service, there are also additional signs that may be suitable.

Catering safety signs for hygiene

Food contamination or spoilage are detrimental for both a businesses reputation and their potential customers. The Food Standards Agency offers advice on the regulations that govern this, including the Food Standards Act 1999, the Food Safety Order 1991 and the General Food Law. To stay compliant and within the law, you need to take measures to prevent unhygienic practices during these stages of food preparation.

Within your business, you may need to consider the following signs:

Hygiene Notice Sign.

Wash Hands When Handling Raw Meat.

Wash Hands Before Handling Food.

Wear Hairnets.

Wash Utensils Only.

Do Not Store Raw And Cooked Food Together.

Wash Your Hands After Going To The Toilet.

This Is A Food Production Area.

Keep Raw Meats and Fish At Bottom Of Fridge.

All Food Must Be Covered And Dated.

Food Preparation Area Veg And Salad Only.

Raw Meat Below Cooked Meat.

Employee Safety

The risk of injury in many catering environments is significant. Consider the number of sharp knives, hot oils and heavy machinery at work. The right employee safety signs work to minimise hazards and prevent injury. In turn, this improves productivity and reduces staff sickness to keep your business running smoothly.

Within your catering business, you may need to consider the following signs:

Work Safely With Cooker & Ovens.

Caution Hot Surface, Do Not Touch.

Warning, Dangerous Machine Catering Sign.

Caution, Very Hot Water.

The Safe Use Of Knives.

Convection Oven Signs.

Steaming Oven Sign.

Slicing Oven Sign.

Deep Fat Fryer Sign.

Caution This Machine Can Be Dangerous.

Here at Lasting Impressions, we stock a wide range of catering safety signs to suit businesses of all sizes. If you would like more information about any of the signs available on our website or cannot find what you’re looking for, get in contact with the team here today.
November 3, 2023
A Guide To Workplace Safety
It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that all visitors, guests and employees that enter workplace premises are kept safe. Alongside this, is it important the employees understand their rights and the legislation that is in place to protect them. A report from Finder.com found that 626,000 injuries occurred in the workplace between 2017 and 2018 with 1.4 million workers suffering from a work-related illness during the same period. 147 people were killed at work and over 30 million working days were lost due to work-related illnesses or injury. Accidents in the workplace are having a significant impact, not only on our economy but also the livelihoods of many. And understanding the methods needed to minimise this is important.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about workplace safety – regardless of your industry.

What regulations are in place?

For the benefit of all within a company, there are numerous legislations and regulations written in the UK’s legal system to protect the health and safety of people at work. It is the responsibility of the employer to uphold these. If not, some come with significant fines and the threat of closing down businesses. Below are some of the most relevant to workplace safety.

Health & Safety at Work Regulation

Originally put into effect in 1974, this regulation was reviewed again in 1994. It sets out the responsibilities that an employer has towards both it’s staff and the general public. This law requires businesses to take appropriate activity to minimise the risk of hazards and risks on health & safety. It includes information on the importance of risk assessments, minimising potentially dangerous risks, appointing a competent person to oversee activity, providing training and education and having a written health & safety policy in place. The Health & Safety at Work Regulation applies to an employer, regardless of industry. However, businesses that have fewer than 5 employees are not legally required to make notes or write down information discovered during risk assessments.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Covering basic health, safety and welfare issues, this regulation is in place to establish the minimum requirements for a workplace. It extends to most workplaces, other than construction sites, those taking place on a ship or in a min. The main requirements here are the need to provide adequate working environments (good lighting, heating, ventilation and workspaces) as well as staff facilities such as toilets and safe passageways to prevent falls.

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

In environments where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required to protect the safety of employers, this regulation states that it should be entirely free of charge. This relates to settings where these risks cannot be controlled or eliminated. The legislation covers things such as asbestos removal, excessive noise or exposure to radiation. Here, PPE refers to items such as:
- Protective helmets.
- Ear protection.
- High-vis clothing.
- Safety footwear.
- Harnesses for working at height.
- RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment).
The regulations also put the responsibility on the employee to ensure the PPE provided is used appropriately. It dictates that the items given should be worked in accordance with instructions, that it should be returned as appropriate, that it should be visible examined before use and any defects or loss reported immediately.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

The purpose of this regulation is to minimise the risk of workplace-related injuries as a result of manual handling or lifting. It states that employees need to avoid the implementation of hazardous manual handling where possible. In the event where this cannot be eliminated, there needs to be a full and professional assessment done of the risk and actions put in place to minimise the hazard. All employees must be provided with information on the weight of each load and full training should be given before the task is carried out.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Also known as PUWER, these regulations put the responsibility on the employee to ensure equipment is used appropriately. It states that any machinery or equipment used needs to be suitable, safe for use, well maintained and only used by those appropriately trained to do so. Any PPE or protective measures required need to be installed and in full working order. And, machines and equipment need to be used in accordance with any specific requirements. These rules apply to any appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work.

How to protect your employees at work

Along with abiding by the regulations stated above, it is important that you take appropriate measures to protect your employees.

Provide training

One of the most effective ways to minimise the risk of injury is to ensure that all employees are fully educated and informed of the right methods. Providing regular and adequate training is the responsibility of the employer. Ensure that any new information is passed on in a clear and concise manner. And allow employees to ask questions and challenge new procedures too.

Use safety signs

Safety signs are designed to ensure that information is clearly and effectively spread throughout visitors, guests and employees. Some are vital to health & safety, such as First Aid Signs that ensure life-saving equipment can be found quickly or Fire Safety Signs to allow people to evacuate quickly. Others, such as Mandatory Signs or No Smoking Signs can be used to implement restrictions around the premises. However you choose to use them, avoid hanging too many safety signs in one place. This bombardment of information can become confusing and cause instructions to be missed.

Keep areas clean

Regular cleaning and tidying will minimise the risk of slips and hazards. Tidy environments allow employees to move freely, without raising any additional risks. They also improve the ability of individuals to leave a property quickly in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Reduce the risk of slips and trips

Keep wires safely secured away. Ensure spills are cleaned up quickly and efficiently. Check flooring regularly to make sure none of it is raised or broken. Slips, trips and falls are some of the most common workplace accidents and action should be taken every day to minimise these.

Encourage discussions

Create a working environment where colleagues feel comfortable enough to air their concerns. Generally, the employees that work at your premises every single day are more likely to flag issues and threats to their mental health. Host regular meetings and encourage them to come with you with suggestions or recommendations for improvement.

Workplace safety is vital and creating an enjoyable environment for your employees will help you retain them and boost productivity.
November 3, 2023
A Guide to Fire Extinguisher Safety Signs

Here in the UK, ‘The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 governs the legal requirements for fire extinguishers in the workplace. Forming a vital role in fire safety for employees, visitors and guests, it is vital that you understand the regulations and how they impact your business. In doing so, you’ll avoid costly fines and protect the livelihood of everyone that comes into your premises.

Legal requirements for fire extinguishers in the UK

These regulations state that you are required to have a minimum of 2 x Class A fire extinguishers on every storey of a building. The only exception to this rule is where smaller premises are involved. In this instance, you may only need 1.

A Class A fire extinguisher is used to put out carbonaceous fires – ones involving wood or paper. There are 3 different types which meet the regulation – 3-litre foam, 6-litres foam and 9-litre water. These are required in all businesses, no matter the type. However, there are some environments where other types, such as CO2 extinguishers, may be required to fight electrical fires.

Fire extinguishers should be positioned next to exits and fire alarm call-points. According to the BS5306 British Standard, you should never be more than 30 meters away from an appropriate extinguisher on any given level of the building. Each extinguisher needs to be fixed to the wall or attached to an appropriate stand which discourages them from being moved around.

And, all extinguishers should be clearly signposted with appropriate ID signs to establish their type along with how and when to use them.

Different types of fire extinguisher

As we mentioned briefly above, there are a number of different types of fire extinguisher. And, the one most relevant to your business premises depends on the activity and hazards presented there. Let’s take a look at the different fire extinguishers and the appropriate ID signs for each one.

Water fire extinguisher

Designed for use with solid combustible fires (Class A), water extinguishers can be used to put out flames accelerated by wood, paper, fabrics and coal. They create a cooling effect which penetrates the burning material and prevents it from relighting. These extinguishers should NOT be used on electrical fires, with flammable liquids or on flammable metal fires.

Each water fire extinguisher should be accompanied by this ID sign.

Carbon Dioxide fire extinguisher

Also known as a CO2 fire extinguisher, these are filled with pure carbon dioxide. This is a completely clean extinguishant which leaves behind no residue. It is recommended for use on electrical fires alongside other flammable accelerants, including petrol, oil and solvents. CO2 extinguishers fall into Class B.

Each carbon dioxide fire extinguisher should be accompanied by this ID sign.

AFF Foam fire extinguisher

Aqueous Film Forming Foam fire extinguishers are designed to offer a very fast way of diminishing flammable liquid fires. The foam itself reduces the risk of re-ignition and makes it an ideal choice for fires involving organic material. This includes cardboard, paper, wood and coal.

Each AFF Foam fire extinguisher should be accompanied by this ID sign.

Powder fire extinguisher

Marked by their blue label, powder fire extinguishers are designed to combat a range of different fires. The chemicals found within the dry powder are designed to inhibit combustion and release oxygen which diminishes the flames. As a multi-purpose fire extinguisher, they can be used on Class A, B and C fires as well as those involving electrical equipment. The powder released can affect visibility and can be hazardous to those with breathing issues. For these reasons, they are generally not recommended for indoor use unless there is no alternative.

Each Powder fire extinguisher should be accompanied by this ID sign.

Wet Chemical fire extinguisher

Specifically designed for use on Class F fires, wet chemical fire extinguishers are suitable for use in and around kitchens. They can be used on cooking oils and fats. The wet chemical is designed to cool down burning oil, reduce flames and chemically react to create a soap-like solution. This prevents re-ignition. These extinguishers are marked by a yellow label and can also be used on Class A and Class B fires.

Each Wet Chemical fire extinguisher should be accompanied by this ID sign.

L2 Powder fire extinguisher

These graphite powder extinguishers are recommended for use against lithium metal fires. The powder is designed to smother the fire through the use of magnesium. This works in a similar way to sand – it removes the heat while actively reducing the amount of oxygen available. They need to be used on flat surfaces and the user must be standing relatively close to the fire in order to administer the powder. They are suitable for Class D fires.

Each L2 Powder fire extinguisher should be accompanied by this ID sign.

Water + Additive fire extinguisher

In some fire extinguishers, chemical additives are used to increase the effectiveness. They are sometimes known as Hydrospray extinguishers and are generally smaller than standard offerings. These additives remove the water’s natural surface tension, making it wetter. This means it sticks to and soaks into the accelerant more than normal water.

Each Water + Additive fire extinguisher should be accompanied by this ID sign.

Finding the right fire extinguisher for your business

The best way to establish the risk of a fire is to do a risk assessment. Here, you’ll be able to identify hazards and notice where there is a possibility for a fire to occur. At Lasting Impressions, we have been working with businesses of all different shapes and sizes to establish their safety needs. In many cases, this means noticing where there is a risk of fire and advising on the best safety tools and signage to combat this.

If you have any questions about the right fire extinguisher, are looking to improve signage in the workplace or would like to discuss an individual project, get in contact with our team here today. We’re on hand to ensure your business premises are as safe as it can possibly be.

November 3, 2023
Preventing Slips & Falls With The Right Workplace Signage
37% of all reported workplace injuries are due to a slip or a fall. As a business owner, you are responsible for ensuring the safety of your employees, guests and visitors by implementing the right precautions where needed. But how do you do that? And how do you identify these risks and put into place a way to minimise them?

What are the main causes of slips, trips and falls?

A risk assessment will help you to determine the areas in your workplace that pose the most significant problem. However, commonly, some of the most noted reasons for these types of accidents are:

Uneven flooring.

Unsuitable flooring.

Wet/slippery flooring.

Poor lighting.

Poor housekeeping.

Addressing any number of these risk areas can significantly reduce injury in your workplace. And one of the ways to do so is through the appropriate use of signs in the workplace. Providing information to employees as to best practices and the right safety measures helps them to stay on top of hazards before they become more prominent.

What signs are available?

The sign type and design you choose will depend on the exact risk. However, there are a number of different options which, used alone or with others, will create a logical structure to your workplace safety.

Warning Slippery Surface Logo Sign

This warning sign alerts visitors to the possibility of a slippery surface. It is designed to make them aware of the possible need to change footwear or be cautious of each step.

Warning Trip Hazard Logo Sign

In the event of a possible trip hazard, this sign can be used to ensure visitors and employees have the information they need to prevent injury.

Anti-Slip Floor Signs

For temporary slipping hazards, the other option is a lightweight floor stand. These robust, plastic signs can be displayed as and when needed, in a variety of locations to give clear information to passers-by.

Lasting Impressions is passionate about providing high-quality safety signs, tailored to each environment. Our range is there to help you improve safety in the workplace while keeping in line with current regulations. Reducing slips, trips and falls will minimise the strain on your business, both financially and in terms of productivity. If you would like more information about our range of General Safety Signs, get in contact with the team here today.
November 3, 2023