Keeping Staff and Visitors Safe with the Right Signs
If you operate a business, you need to keep your people and visitors safe and to stay on the right side of Health and Safety legislation.
A warehouse can be one of the most hazardous working environments around, with a potentially lethal blend of moving plant, heavy items and hurrying people, all sharing the same space.
While the UK is a world leader in industrial health and safety, accidents still happen, bringing what are sometimes life changing injuries to individuals, along with costs, adverse publicity and potential legal or regulatory issues to businesses.
Of course, there are all manner of reasons behind accidents, but one of the most common root causes is a simple lack of hazard awareness by people who are too easily distracted. Having the right health and safety signs is of critical importance, both to inform and warn staff and visitors and to make sure your business remains on the right side of the HSE regulations.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important signs every warehouse needs.
Fire safety and evacuation
If a fire breaks out in a warehouse, it can spread faster than you would believe possible. Literally every second counts, so it is imperative that all exits are clearly marked and illuminated, and that people know where to go if disaster strikes. The range of products stored in a warehouse gives rise to numerous possibilities in the event of fire, so it is equally important to provide clear notices on types of fire and how to tackle them effectively.
Access
We have already mentioned that a warehouse is a dangerous place. The risk factor increases exponentially if you have members of the public wandering in. Customers and visitors need to be clearly directed from the moment they arrive on the premises as to where they should go, and equally importantly, where they should not. Ensure that working areas are marked with “staff only” or “no unauthorised access” signs and that the danger is clearly indicated.
PPE Signs
PPE is as important an aspect of workplace health and safety as signage and can save lives. Unfortunately, there are many people who can become blasé to the risks when they work around them every day. Clear signs regarding hard hats, safety boots, gloves and any other appropriate PPE will keep the topic fresh in everyone’s mind. It will also ensure that you are fulfilling your obligations as an employer in keeping staff informed of what they need to do to stay safe.
Hygiene
Industrial processes and food and drink do not mix. However, there is no getting around the fact that employees need sustenance throughout the day. If you have a canteen, kitchen or rest area, make sure you have appropriate food hygiene information posted.
CCTV
The Data Protection Act states that you are obliged to inform employees with regard to all information you hold about them – and this includes CCTV images. So if you have a CCTV system in place, having signs up to let people know is not just good sense – it is actually a legal requirement.