Safety Signs and Symbols and Their Meanings
We live surrounded by signals of many different types, but this time, we are going to study the signals that are used in the workplace. These signs are used for the prevention of occupational hazards (prevent accidents at work). Technically they are called "Safety and Health Signage at Work".
In this article, we are going to talk about safety signages and their usefulness for the prevention of occupational accidents. Specifically, we are going to address the subject of the meaning, shape and colours of safety signage.
There are 5 safety signs used for the construction site:
- Mandatory Signs,
- Warning Signs,
- Prohibition Signs,
- Safe Condition Signs and
- Fire Equipment Signs.
All these signs "Are Compulsory in the Workplace". They help and provide information to workers to identifying hazards, must be used signage with pictograms, not just text.
Mandatory Signs
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| mandatory sign |
Circular - Circular with a blue background and a white pictogram, Instruction to the worker to take necessary action such as wear necessary PPE.
Warning Signs
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| warning sign |
Triangular: This type of sign with a black pictogram on a yellow background with a black border indicates "WARNING" and/or "DANGER".They indicate the obligation to use adequate protection to avoid accidents and be careful of a particular hazard.
Prohibition signs
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| prohibition sign |
Round: Signs with a black pictogram on a white background with a red border and red crossbar (diagonal) circular shape show us “PROHIBITION” and/or “DENIAL”. Direct stopping dangerous behaviour such as " no smoking" prohibit behaviour likely to cause danger by preventing certain activities that endanger their own health or that of other workers.
Safe Condition Sign
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| safe condition sign |
Rectangular: These signs make us aware of the "RESCUE", “FIRST AID”, “BEACON" and "FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT" etc. with a white pictogram on a green background. Identify a safe place to use such as "the first-aid station"
Fire Equipment Signs.
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| fire fighting equipment |
Square: The main function of these signals is the "INDICATION" of a particular item of equipment with a white symbol on a red background such as "fire Extinguisher". In addition, these signs can sometimes be used for the same purpose as rectangular-shaped signs.
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