What is compliance signage?

If you are running a business of any kind, you will need various types of signage. One of the most important types is compliance signage; as the name indicates, these signs are mandatory. This blog will break down what compliance signage is and what purposes it serves.

Key purposes of compliance signage

Compliance signage serves a number of key purposes for an organisation. They are as follows:

Risk mitigation

The signs can highlight anything that has the potential to be dangerous, from electrical areas to wet floors. This is vital for safety purposes, but also to reduce the legal risk for the organisation.

Emergency guidance

People visiting the premises of an organisation need to know what they should do in the wake of an emergency – for example, a fire. Compliance signs provide them with that information, directing them to meeting points, exits and equipment.

Mandatory actions

If there are specific actions people must perform to remain safe, compliance signage is how you let them know about that. This can include wearing safety hats or goggles.

Prohibited actions

The same applies to actions that must not be performed, such as smoking.

Legal adherence

Compliance signage enables organisations to meet the safety regulations for the UK. This is vital to avoid legal trouble.

Examples of compliance signs

Compliance signage includes all types that are necessary for reasons of informing the public and meeting health and safety standards. It can be broken down into categories, each of which has a standardised set of colours and shapes:

Prohibition signs

These are circular red signs with a diagonal line across them. They let people know what they cannot do. Examples include ‘No Entry’ and ‘No Smoking’ signs.

Warning signs

These are generally triangular in shape and feature black pictograms on yellow backgrounds. They provide warnings of possible hazards. Examples include ‘Caution: Wet Floor’ and ‘Danger: High Voltage’ signs.

Mandatory action signs

These are circular blue signs that feature a white pictogram. They let people know what actions are mandatory for safety purposes. Examples include ‘Hard Hat Area’ and ‘Wear Safety Goggles.’

Fire safety signs

These are either a rectangle or a square and feature red backgrounds with white pictograms. They tell people where to locate fire safety exits and firefighting equipment. Examples include ‘fire extinguisher’ and ‘fire alarm point’ signs.

First aid signs

These signs are either square or rectangular in shape and have green backgrounds and white pictograms. Their purpose is to inform people where to find equipment for treating injuries. Examples include ‘First Aid Kit’ signs.

Key compliance aspects

There are several key aspects of compliance signage that you must be aware of before you get it designed, manufactured and installed. They are as follows:

Legal basis

This means the pieces of legislation that you must adhere to. The most prominent example is the Health and Safety (Safety, Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. These require organisations to provide clear signage highlighting safety risks where it is not possible to eliminate those risks.

Another is the Equality Act 2010, which requires organisations to add signage improving accessibility for those with disabilities. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in fines and other punishments.

Design standards

You must meet the established design standards based on the categories listed above. This means red for prohibition signs, yellow for warning ones etc. This also applies to the shape of the signs. You do not have the same design leeway as you would with other types of signage.

Placement and visibility

Compliance signage has to be placed in areas that ensure maximum visibility. This means putting them close to the entrance of your premises, near to any safety hazards and on routes that people will have to use to get from one place to another. This is to ensure safety as well as ease of navigation.

Durability

Signage of this type has to be able to withstand harsh weather conditions. We create ultra-durable external compliance signs for retail, construction and education sites, among others.

Maintenance

The signs must be checked regularly and faded or damaged materials replaced. This will ensure they remain effective.

For all of your site safety signs in Manchester, call Ainsley Signs now.