When you think of workplace danger, you tend to think about an industrial facility with machinery, high temperatures, lots of moving parts and that element of unpredictability. After all, this is a place where everyone will need to have their wits about them and where an owner or operator would need to take extra precautions, to keep people safe.
Yet in truth, every commercial facility can present a danger to those who are present, and it is important for the owner of such a business to pay particular attention. As part of this awareness, the owner will need to warn anyone in the vicinity about the relevant dangers and will need to display certain signage. What types of safety signs are either recommended or mandated in this situation?
Regulation
The Australian government insists that certain regulatory signs are displayed to inform people what cannot or must be done in that area, due to the risk. They insist that these signs be recognisable and be displayed in the most appropriate position, under pain of penalty.
Prohibition
You may need to introduce some prohibition signs that tell people what they cannot do and are typically characterised by a red circle with a diagonal slash. For example, a sign could warn people that they do not have access and that only authorised persons are allowed.
Instruction
On the other hand, different signs could tell people what they have to do and that, for example, they must always wear protective clothing in the relevant area. Typically, these signs will contain lettering in bold font together with a symbol that depicts the necessary action.
Danger
If the hazard in question is particularly dangerous, then the sign must contain the word danger, printed on a red oval and contained within a black rectangle. These must be prominently displayed if the hazard could be life-threatening and could be particularly appropriate within an industrial facility.
Information
Finally, you may need to provide information for people to follow in the event of an emergency. For example, the instantly recognisable first aid symbol could indicate where safety equipment or medical supplies could be found, while a bright red sign with a white symbol could indicate the location of firefighting equipment.
More Information
If you're not sure what type of signs you should display at your particular facility, talk with your signage expert. They will have a full range of all the signs on hand and can advise you accordingly.
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