Do you need to use wet paint signage?
If you are running a business in the UK, certain types of signage will be a legal obligation. The actual legal situation when it comes to items like safety signs can vary depending on the situation and the kind of business that you have though. Some of those signs will be a basic necessity for all companies, while others will only apply to firms in high-risk sectors.
This blog will focus on signage highlighting wet paint and whether it is something your company needs.
The law at the moment
There are two main pieces of health and safety legislation companies have to comply with. The first is the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations of 1996. The second is the Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Work Areas) law passed in 1990.
Technically, the presence of wet paint within a workplace could come under either or both of those acts.
What this means is that signage clearly indicating the presence of paint that is wet will be a legal requirement in any place of work. There are some industries where wet paint is a more common hazard – think warehousing or construction – but most companies will redecorate at some point. Having wet paint signs available will mean that you can undertake this sort of rebranding while complying with the legislation.
Protecting your business
Failure to comply with health and safety laws can leave your business facing financial penalties. This is not a risk that many companies will want to take, regardless of how often wet paint is an issue for them. Ensuring compliance is not the only way that investing in such signs can protect your firm though.
Should a member of the public visit your workplace and suffer an accident or damage to belongings due to wet paint that has not been clearly signposted, you could face legal action. This applies to your employees too, because you are expected to indicate wet paint with hazard signage.
Where the signs should be placed
The signs should be placed close to the freshly painted areas, and they must be positioned for maximum visibility. Speak to a professional if you are unsure about this.
At Ainsley Signs, we offer signage installation in Manchester to ensure compliance with all legal obligations. Contact us now for more details.