Tag: Guides

Fire safety is an important consideration for any business. In fact, here in the UK, it is a legal requirement for all working buildings to ensure that appropriate regulations are followed and maintained throughout the year. The correct fire safety signs are one of the key ways in which you can protect the safety of every visitor, guest or employee within your business. For new businesses, these requirements can be overwhelming and confusing. This is why we’ve pulled together this detailed guide to walk you through your legal requirements and the right signs to suit your needs.

What is a fire safety sign?

According to The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 a fire safety sign is one which:

• Provides information on escape routes and emergency exits in case of fire.
• Provides information on the identification of the location of firefighting equipment.
• Gives warning in case of fire.

Therefore, fire safety signs fall into two different categories – those that identify firefighting equipment and those that identify emergency exits. Both of these are required in nearly all working buildings so it is important that you understand the difference. Remember, it is the duty of the employer to ensure adequate health and safety signs are provided wherever there is a risk to an employee or member of the public.

A clear way of identifying the difference is:

• Red signs should be used for firefighting equipment.
• A green sign should be used for emergency exit signs.

It is also worth noting that, according to these regulations, fire safety signs MUST have both text and pictograms. This will ensure easy understanding by all and ensures a business is also able to comply with fire certificate needs.

Where should fire exit signs be placed?

There are both general rules as to the distribution and location of signs and some that need to be determined according to each building.

• Fire exit signs should be placed on every doorway, escape window or alternative route which provides an exit or means or escape during a fire or any other emergency situation.
• You must choose an appropriate fire exit sign wherever there is deemed a risk to your employee’s safety. To identify these risks, an appropriate risk assessment should be carried out.
• Where no immediate ‘risk’ is detected but a building presents a complicated layout or has a choice of exits, signs should be used to clear up potential confusion.
• Fire exit signs should be used when the nearest emergency exit is not the main entrance or exit. This advises people that there is an additional means of exit, in the event of an emergency.
• Fire exit signs should be displayed immediately above the exit opening. Where this is not possible, the sign should be positioned where it can be clearly seen and is unlikely to become obstructed.
• For hidden exits, directional fire exit signs should be used to create an escape route.
• In shared buildings, the owner of the building should take responsibility to ensure a universal fire exit route is created so to avoid confusion.
• ‘Keep Clear’ signs should be used for fire doors where there is a risk that the route may become obstructed.
• Where the nearest exit is up or down the stairs, fire exit signs should be placed within the staircase with clear directional arrows.

What about sign care?

To stay compliant with regulations, all fire exit signs should be properly maintained and fixed securely. Many signs can be designed and manufactured in a range of materials to ensure this. Here at Lasting Impressions, we offer either a self-adhesive vinyl or 1mm rigid plastic. Key benefits of both include:

Self-Adhesive Vinyl

• Suitable for both interior and exterior use.
• Cost effective.
• Can be used to fix signs to any smooth, flat surface. Manufactured from a flexi gloss vinyl with permanent self-adhesive backing.
• Can be used on curved surfaces

1mm Rigid Plastic

• Suitable for both interior and exterior use.
• Manufactured from 1mm high impact polystyrene plastic.
• Tougher option with high impact strength.
• Smooth matt surface can be easily drilled.
• Can be installed to most surfaces with double-sided tape or mastic

No matter what material you choose, opt for one that can be wiped clean easily. This will ensure high visibility at all times, which leads us on to our next point.

What about sign visibility?

To stay compliant, you are legally required to make sure all signs are visible at all times. There are two factors to consider here – viewing distance and lighting.

Viewing distance

Where you position your sign will have an impact on how easily the information can be read and understood. At Lasting Impressions, we use bold font, highly contrasting colours and universally acceptable pictograms. However, distance remains a significant factor. Our signs are available in a range of different sizes which are individually appropriate for different distances. You will find a clear and easily understood Viewing Distances guide on every product page. So, for example, our EC Fire Exit Arrow Up Sign comes in 3 different sizes. The appropriate viewing distances are as follows:

Size 1 (Landscape: 300mm x 100mm / Portrait: 200mm x 300mm) – Viewing distance: Up to 10m.

Size 2 (Landscape: 450mm x 100mm / Portrait: 300mm x 400mm) – Viewing distance: Up to 15m.

Size 3 (Landscape: 600mm x 200mm / Portrait: 400mm x 600mm) – Viewing distance: Up to 20m

From the distances recommended, the user will still be able to read any text and clearly understand the images being shown.

Lighting

All fire safety signs should be suitable lit to ensure high visibility. Something to consider is whether your workplace has emergency lighting in place in the form of external lamps or internal lamps. In the event of an emergency, will these provide suitable illumination to ensure the sign information can be read?

An alternative to emergency lighting is glow in the dark or ‘photoluminescent’ signs. These are individually screen printed and charge with either natural or artificial lighting. Should the power go in your property or light becomes insufficient, the sign will emit a glow which allows it to be read clearly. It is, therefore, possible to minimise the additional risk raised by power cuts and allow individuals to still follow a clear and concise escape from your building.

At Lasting Impressions, we have a wide range of Photoluminescent signs, available in both self-adhesive vinyl or plastic. The benefits of both can be seen here:

Photoluminescent Self-Adhesive Glow in the Dark Signs

• Permanent self-adhesive.
• High-intensity luminous properties.
• Stores light from conventional sources.
• Easy to charge.

Photoluminescent Plastic Vinyl Fire Exit Signs

• 1.2mm rigid plastic.
• High-intensity luminous material enclosed in UV stabilised plastic.
• Easy to charge.
• High impact strength

What are the rules for fire fighting equipment signs?

Although many rules remain the same, there are some differences for fire fighting equipment signs. These are, as follows:

• The colour red should be used to identify the location of fire fighting equipment.
• These signs should be rectangular or circle with white symbols and/or text.
• They are designed to indicate the location of fire equipment.
• These signs should be placed close to the equipment in question or in accordance with the design of the sign In some situations, the background behind the fire fighting equipment should be coloured red.
• The sign should be sufficiently large to allow its location to be easily determined.
• If the fire fighting equipment is hidden from view, a sign should be placed in a clear position which indicates the location using directional arrows.

The Lasting Impressions Fire Safety Sign Range – EN ISO 7010:2012

Here at Lasting Impressions, we design and create signs that are entirely compliant with the regulations in The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. In addition, all of our signs are compliant an EN ISO 7010:2012. But, what does this mean?

EN ISO 7010:2012 related to the symbols, safety colours and registered safety signs used. It is there to bring international consistency to health and safety signs. To comply, we design our signs using the new, acceptable pictographs which minimises the risk of confusion and reduces the risk of accidents in your workplace. Additional information about this compliance can be found here.

Further Information

We pride ourselves in staying up to date with all relevant legal requirements when it comes to signs, especially those surrounding fire exit signs. This helps you to ensure full safety for all your visitors, guests and employees. And, it means that our helpful and expert sales team can provide you with the information and advice needed to find the right sign straight away.

If you need any further information about our BS 5499-2:1986 and EN ISO 7010:2012 compliant Fire Safety Signs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll be happy to help guide you towards the right choice for your business. Alternatively, we offer a Design A Sign service that allows you to customise your design and ensure it meets all individual requirements.

Get in touch to discuss here today.

As an employer, you have a legal responsibility of care for all employees, visitors and guests at your workplace. It is vital that you understand what the requirements are at any given time and how to ensure you stay compliant. There are endless streams of information available online that can guide you through this but here at Lasting Impressions, we understand that your time is important. So, in this guide, we’ll lead you through your First Aid legal requirements, breaking everything down into easily understood blocks.

First Aid at Work – The First Aid and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981

The above regulation is one of the key documents set out for employers. It states what you need to do when addressing the first aid requirements of a business. This spreads from appointing relevant first aiders through to making everyone aware of procedures and where certain regulations do not apply. This document can be read in full here. However we will break this all down in more detail below.

What is expected of me?

In simple terms, every employer must ensure that injured or employees that are taken ill at work receive immediate professional attention. Whether the injury or illness is caused by the working environment is irrelevant. The key point here is immediate attention must be made available and an ambulance must be called in serious cases.

Organisations including the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. Therefore, businesses who do not provide the provisions for first aid in their workplace can face prosecution is significant risk is identified.

What am I required to provide?

Every workplace needs to meet specific requirements in terms of resources when it comes to first aid. These include:

• Supplying appropriate and adequate first aid equipment for the environment.
• Supplying appropriate and adequate first aid facilities for the environment.
• Ensuring fully trained personnel to deal with first aid incidents.
• Trained cover where the appointed personnel is unavailable.

It is worth noting that the requirements set out in this regulation apply to all businesses. This covers those with less than 5 employees and even the self-employed. It is important that, in all working environments, provisions are kept on hand to deal with incidents to prevent further injury, accident or death.

What first aid resources does my business need?

The specific resources required by each workplace vary based on a number of different variables. These include factors such as number of employees and the size of the working environment. It is important that you understand the risk places on employees for your specific building. Some businesses may simply require a first aid box and an appointed individual to maintain this. Others may have need for dedicated first aid rooms to deal with high-traffic incidents and need to ensure that this is accessible by stretchers and other equipment. In order to determine where your business falls in this category, it is important that you carry out a thorough and regularly updated risk assessment.

First Aid risk assessment explained

A risk assessment is vital for all working environments, regardless of size or number of employees. The aim here is to reduce the risk of injury and illness that an individual will suffer at work. A risk assessment should cover all potential incidents, with considerations taken into accidents that may happen in and outside of work. When carried out appropriately, it will help you to determine what first aid resources are required.

The two key things that your business should be able to do with the first aid resources available is:

• Give immediate assistance to individuals with common illnesses or injuries, specifically those linked to hazards in the workplace.
• Have the ability to call professional help, including ambulances to the scene.

A comprehensive risk assessment will highlight whether you need specific first aid equipment and facilities. These can include:

• Trained first aiders
• First aid boxes
• First aid rooms
• How much first aid provisions are needed.

During a risk assessment, you should take an unbiased look at the working environment and building from which your company operates. This should be done regularly to ensure it is kept up to date with changes. As an employer, you will need to consider:

• Low-level (office based) and high-level (chemical/machinery) hazards around the workplace.
• Your organization’s history of accidents.
• The skill set and experience of employees.
• The number of employees and the size of your business.
• The distribution of your workforce.
• The remote location or accessibility of your building.
• Whether your site can be accessed by the general public.

This list is not exhaustive and should be adapted to suit your workplace. The information gained will help you to determine what is required for your individual situation.

What is considered a hazard?

When it comes to work environments, a hazard is any environment that poses a threat of injury or accident to your employees. These can include things such as:

• Machinery
• The degree of manual handling
• Slip and trip hazards
• Working at height
• Workplace transport

What are the required first aid supplies for my business?

As stated above, the exact first aid resources needed varies depending on the size of your business. However, there are some guidelines that you can follow. When it comes to first aid kits in the workplace, they should include:

• A leaflet giving general first aid guidance.
• Small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings (individually wrapped).
• Triangular bandages (individually wrapped)
• Safety pins
• Sterile eye pads
• Eye wash
• Plasters
• Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• Adhesive tape
• Disposable gloves
• Burns appropriate dressings
• Scissors

All of these items should be checked regularly and replaced as required.

Other first aid supplies that could come in handy, depending on your environment, include foil blankets, haemostatic dressings, tourniquets, disposable aprons and even sterile water in sealed bottles. The exact requirements, as mentioned above, will become evident after a risk assessment.

First Aid Signs

It is vital that, along with ensuring you have the right facilities for first aid, you also ensure they are easily located. In the event of an accident, it is important that professionals and employees alike can identify the location of the nearest first aid box or the route to the first aid room. This is where the right signage comes into place – specifically first aid options.

According to The First Aid and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, all first aid boxes should be adorned with:

‘A white cross on a green background’

This is the universally accepted sign for first aid and allows individuals to quickly identify where the relevant resources are kept. Options such as our First Aid Portrait and First Aid Sign are both suitable for a range of working environments and help ensure compliance with your in-set procedures. There are also First Aid Room Signs that helps identify where an injured individual may be, should professional help be sent for.

AED Signs

During your risk assessment, you will have established whether there is a need for an AED emergency defibrillator in your workplace. At this date, there is no law that requires workplaces to provide this. However, many environments that deal with members of the public or high-traffic visitors will do well to consider their installation to minimise further risk.

AED Signs are designed to show location and direct trained personnel towards these lifesaving machines. They come in a range of different designs, always following the green and white design requirements and featuring legible logos. In addition, our Trained AED Users and Location Sign provides additional information, quickly directing members of the public towards these trained individuals.

The Health and Safety Law Poster

When looking at first aid signs, one that cannot be overlooked is the Health and Safety Law Poster. A legal requirement for all businesses that employ people, this poster MUST be displayed in a prominent location in your workplace. It provides information about employee and employer legal rights when it comes to first aid in the workplace. In offering up this information freely, it actively minimises the risk of injury and accidents – a key way to reduce the need for first aid activity..

The Health and Safety Law Poster can be purchased here at Lasting Impressions.

What are the next steps?

As an employer, it is vital you understand first aid law to ensure your business is compliant. Our guide provides key information into this. However, you can read The First Aid and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 in full via the link here. There is also a wealth of information available on the HSE’s main website which is there to help prevent the risk of work-related injury, illness and death.

Alternatively, if your query relates to first aid signs and the ways in which signage can minimise the risk of hazards in your workplace, get in touch with Lasting Impressions today. We have a wealth of knowledge, built over many years, and can help guide you towards the most appropriate sign to keep your business legally compliant.

Are you considering installing CCTV in your workplace? As an employer, it is important that you understand the relevant laws and regulations surrounding public recording. There has been a significant rise in the number of people considering this form of criminal deterrence and the market for comprehensive recording equipment is rapidly expanding. These days, you can monitor your workplace from anywhere in the world via your mobile phone. And, many security systems will automatically alert the authorities, should unexpected activity by detected. However, without taking the right precautions, the risk of prosecution around CCTV can find themselves directed towards you. This guide is here to explain what you are required to do and how to use CCTV legally.

Your requirements

If you decide to use CCTV or closed-circuit television recordings in a commercial environment, you are required to tell people that they are being recorded. This falls under the Data Protection Act of 1998. It is vital that you provide a range of clear, visible and readable signs around your workplace and specifically in the areas of recording. These should be universally understandable and guarantee that everyone, regardless of nationality, skill level or experience can digest their information.

As an employer or as the person appointed to maintain the CCTV recorded footage in a business, you must notify the Information Commissioner’s Office as to the presence of CCTV equipment and the reason why. They are the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest. More information about the ICO can be found on their website here.

You must control who can see the recordings taken from your CCTV equipment and only record for the purpose of which it was intended. In short, this means that, if you have installed CCTV equipment to prevent criminal behaviour, you should not use it to monitor employees as an example.

CCTV should also not be used in environments where you would normally expect privacy, unless in exceptional circumstances. This includes rooms such as toilets or changing rooms. The exception to this rule is where very serious concerns are raised and the appointed CCTV personnel must take care to ensure individuals are aware that cameras are in use.

What legislation exists to cover CCTV use?

There are 3 main pieces of CCT legislation to take into account as an employer. These include:

– The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

– The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice 2013 (the ‘SCCOP’)

– The Data Protection Act (the ‘DPA’)

The key points from each are listed below:

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

This act features a code of practice for CCTV camera systems with judicial approval of certain surveillance activities by local authorities. It ensures that CCTV use is transparent, proportionate and that imagery captured is high enough quality to be used by police in criminal cases.

The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice 2013 (the ‘SCCOP’)

This practice aims to reassure the public that CCTV are being used to protect and support communities rather than spy on them.

Data Protection Act 1998

This act requires organisations to protect personal data held in relation to individuals, which includes CCTV imagery. It states that:

• You must have a legitimate reason for using CCTV such as to deter crime.
• You must carry out a privacy impact assessment to determine the extent of CCTV required, where and at what times.
• CCTV data should only be used and kept to fulfil its purpose.
• Access to this data should be restricted to those who require access.
• CCTV data should be stored securely to prevent unauthorised access and hacking using encryption, where necessary.
• CCTV data should only be stated for a reasonable period of time and then deleted securely.
• Valid subject access requests should be approved and the data supplied within 40 days.
• Clear and appropriate signs should be used throughout the building to ensure individuals are aware of the use of recording equipment.

Subject Access Requests

As individuals, we are all entitled to obtain CCTV recorded footage of ourselves. In order to gain this, a subject access request must be submitted stating information about the identity of the requester and a fee – up to £10.

As a CCTV user, you are forbidden from sharing footage of identifiable people with the media or via the internet to be used for entertainment purposes. In addition, once CCTV footage has been requested by the police, the operator must ensure full compliance with the Data Protection Act to ensure footage is safe and secure.

It is worth noting that the DPA specifications only apply to commercial CCTV usage. If you are using recording footage in a domestic setting, they will only come into play if your cameras record outside of the boundaries of your property.

How do I ensure my commercial CCTV equipment is compliant?

Remember, non-compliance with relevant legislation and practices around CCTV footage can result in fines of up to £500,000. Therefore, it is vital that you take all necessary steps. These include:

• Registering with the ICO as a CCTV operator.
• Having a clear purpose for CCTV use which is regularly reviewed.
• Carrying out a Privacy Impact Assessment and regularly reviewing it.
• Using clear signs to identify the use of recording equipment.
• Publishing or making available the name of the individual in charge of your CCTV equipment.
• Implementing clear rules, policies and procedures around the use of CCTV footage and informing staff of these.
• Ensuring recording and CCTV data is captured and stored securely.
• Keeping the recordings for an appropriate period of time (normally 30 days).
• Restricting employee access and implementing a disclosure policy.
• Deleting older recordings regularly and securely.
• Ensuring the date and time are set correctly, should the footage be needed for criminal prosecutions.
• Auditing your CCTV use regularly.

You must not:

• Record conversations between members of the public.
• Install CCTV in private spaces including changing rooms and/or toilets.

CCTV Signs

All CCTV recording footage should be accompanied by clear and easy to understand signs. These should inform people of the existence of cameras. Here at Lasting Impressions, we have a wide range of different options that benefit different environments. Simple designs such as our CCTV In Operation Security Sign can be used in many varied commercial scenarios. To provide additional information, we also stock our This Organisation Operates 24 Hour CCTV Surveillance Security Signs with slots for adding in the purpose and name of contact.

We also stock a selection of more detailed and varied colour signs to fit the needs of your environment. These extend from our Red and White Closed Circuit Security Sign through to our Landscape 24 Hour Closed Circuit Sign – all styled to suit the needs of commercial environments perfectly.

How can CCTV benefit my business?

There are many ways that closed circuit television can be beneficial to a business and it is important that you establish your purpose for having it. Some of the main reasons include:

• To deter criminal activity – Signs warning of prosecution and identifying your high levels of security can significantly reduce the risk of theft and criminal activity in your business.
• To help with prosecutions and prevent false claims – CCTV footage is hard evidence and vital to many criminal investigations.
• To protect your employees – CCTV offers an extra level of protection and can deter aggressive behaviour between employees. In the event that individuals are working alone, it can also make them feel more secure.
• To create a safe work environment – CCTV can encourage employees to abide by health and safety requirements and can be used during emergency situations.
• To monitor your premises at all times – Modern recording footage can now be viewed on mobile phones and tablets meaning it is easy to keep track of activity, even when you’re not there.

CCTV equipment has been proven to provide significant benefits to businesses of all different sizes. When used appropriately and according to current legislation, it is a vital addition to the security of your work environment. Here at Lasting Impressions, we pride ourselves in offering a comprehensive and vast range of CCTV signs to fit your needs. In doing so, we hope to help you stay in line with the law, informing workers, visitors and guests alike as to the presence of recording equipment.

If you have any questions about our range of CCTV signs or the use of CCTV footage in your business, get in touch with us here today. Our friendly and experienced sales staff are on hand to help with every enquiry.

If you’re an employer or work within HR, you’ll understand the importance of health and safety in the workplace. As an employer, you are responsible for the welfare of all your employees, guests and visitors. The right health and safety signs help you with this responsibility, providing clear and concise information at all times. It is very important that the right health and safety signs be used in the right environments. Failure to identify and flag a specific hazard could result in damage to property, injury to employees or even death. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about health and safety signs to protect your business fully.

What are health and safety signs?

In short, it is a sign that provides information, instruction or guidance about health and safety in the workplace. There are a number of different types, of which we will discuss in more detail in this guide. These signs form an essential role in specific laws and legislations set in place to protect employees. Employers across the UK are responsible for making sure the relevant information is available to keep everybody safe or risk large fines/legal action.

What legislation exists around health and safety signs?

There are a number of laws and current legislations that cover health and safety signs which you should be aware of. We have explained them in more detail below.

BS5499

Covering all safety warning signs, including fire safety signs, BS5499 is a legislation that sign manufacturers must consider. It dictates the colours and design format that each sign should take, depending on its purpose. Below are some examples:

• Prohibition signs must feature a black graphical symbol, where applicable, on a white circle. A diagonal red bar must run through the image to prohibit the action depicted.
• Warning Signs must feature a black graphical symbol on a yellow triangle with a strong black border to give warning of potential risks.
• Safe Condition signs or those indicating exit routes during an emergency must visually indicate this using green and white designs.

In addition, Part 4 of BS5499 is a section dedicated to escape route signs. It dictates the correct application and positioning which is deemed just as important as the sign style itself. More information about this legislation can be found here.

Health & Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

These regulations are designed for employers and dutyholders. It states that safety signs and signals are required where there is a significant risk to the health and safety of employees and others. Information given includes the fact that signs must be clear and legible, used to identify actions that are prohibited along with safeguards that need to be followed, hazards and to provide direction toward fire exits/equipment.

One of the key points to take away from this regulation is to avoid using too many signs. This can lead to confusion. A clear risk assessment should be undertaken to establish where the necessary hazards and risks are along with the best way to signpost them. More information about these regulations can be found here.

Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (Chapter 1 of Part 7: Safety Signs at Places of Work).

Aimed at health & safety practitioners and employers alike, this regulation also covers the layout and design of safety signs. It includes information such as the traffic light system for colours (red for prohibition, yellow for caution, green for positive action), the relevant shapes (discs for prohibition and instruction, triangles for warnings and squares/rectangles for emergency and informative signs) and the fact that text should not be incorporated on signboards. These regulations run alongside BS5499. More information about these regulations can be found here.

What makes up a safety sign?

There are ordinarily four main components of a safety sign that help the reader understand the information being shared. These are:

1. Colour
2. Shape
3. Pictogram
4. Text

It is the combination of 3 or 4 of these features that allows us to clearly understand the message being given. This is why there are specific legislations in place to unify these – in an attempt to unify and ensure universal understanding across the board.

What are the 5 different types of safety sign?

Emergency Escape Signs (also known as Safe Condition Signs)

These signs provide information about escape routes and emergency exits. Those that offer direction towards first aid or rescue facilities also fall under this remit and are known as ‘First Aid Signs’. Both of these are required to be green with a white pictogram and writing. They indicate a behaviour, action or route that leads to safety.

Fire Safety Signs

As the name suggestions, these provide information on escape routes and exits in the event of a fire. They identify fire fighting equipment and information about fire marshals in the building.

Mandatory Signs

These signs inform viewers about specific actions and behaviours that should be followed to minimise risk. For example, PPE signs fall under this remit and tell you what protective wear needs to be worn to reduce injury. They are required to have a white safety symbol on a blue background.

Prohibition Signs

Again, as the name suggests, these signs prohibit behaviours that are likely to cause risk to others. It tells you what not to do, an example being smoking in specific areas around a workplace. These signs can be used in all working environments and protect the safety of your business and employees. In general, they have a black safety symbol in a red circle with a diagonal line running through.

Warning Signs

These signs give warning about a potential risk to health and safety. They indicate that the user should take care around a specific hazard or danger such an electrical warning signs. In other documentation, you may see them referred to as caution or hazard signs. They normally feature a black safety pictogram in a yellow triangle with a thick black border.

What does colour mean in health and safety signs?

Another key factor to pay attention to with health and safety signs is colour. This is used to quickly and effectively distinguish between the type of information being given. There are 4 main colours regularly used in this form of signage.

Red

Red signs are normally prohibitory and draw people’s attention to dangerous situations. You will normally notice that they are round with a diagonal line passing through a black pictogram image.

Yellow or Amber

These signs offer a warning, asking users to take precautions around a specific hazard. They are regularly seen in environments that work with hazardous chemicals and are also known as ‘hazard signs’.

Blue

Blue signs normally fall under the mandatory sign category. They dictate a specific behaviour that must be undertaken to avoid injury from specific risks. Normally, they will be circular with a white pictogram at the centre.

Green

These signs give information which highlights safety or shows the route towards an exit, first aid areas or stations. They are normally rectangular in shape with white images and sometimes feature text for additional clarification.

There are a great many different health and safety signs to consider when it comes to adequately protecting your workplace. From Fire Safety Signs through to Construction Site Signs, General Safety Signs and First Aid Signs, it can be challenging to know which set up you need. We have a selection of guides available here at Lasting Impressions that are designed to help. These include our comprehensive look at UK Fire Exit Regulations which goes into detail around safety signs specifically used for fire exits. We are also proud of our wealth of knowledge here at Lasting Impressions. With over 40 years experience, we have become experts in the world of safety signs for corporate needs.

If you have any questions about our comprehensive range of safety signs, get in touch today. Our friendly team will help guide you towards the right sign option for your business.

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.

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 landscape, large 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 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.

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:

• Asbestos Signs
• Noise Hazard Signs
• Building Site Signs
• Temporary Traffic & Site Works Signs
• Scaffold Signs
• Multi-Hazard Construction Signs
• Multi-Hazard Scaffold Banners
• Construction Safety Sign Packs

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:

• Fire Exit / Exit Signs
• Warning Safety Signs (for example, ‘Caution Wet Floor’ signs.
• No Smoking signs
• Escalator Safety Signs
• Toilet & Facility Signs

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.

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.