When assessing the adequacy of existing controls or introducing new controls, a hierarchy of risk controls should be considered. The health and safety management system ISO 45001 (to replace OHSAS 18001 in 2016) states that the organisation shall establish a process for achieving risk reduction based upon the following hierarchy:
(a) eliminate the hazard;
(b) substitute with less hazardous materials, processes, operations or equipment;
(c) use engineering controls;
(d) use safety signs, markings and warning devices and administrative controls;
(e) use personal protective equipment.
The organisation shall ensure that the Occupational Health and Safety risks and determined controls are taken into account when establishing, implementing and maintaining its Occupational Health and Safety management system.
The hierarchy reflects that risk elimination and risk control by the use of physical engineering controls and safeguards can be more reliably maintained than those which rely solely on people. These concepts are now written into the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and the Management of Health and Safety at Work (MHSW) Regulations.
Where a range of control measures are available, it will be necessary to weigh up the relative costs of each against the degree of control each provides, both in the short and long term. Some control measures, such as eliminating a risk by choosing a safer alternative substance or machine, provide a high degree of control and are reliable. Physical safeguards such as guarding a machine or enclosing a hazardous process need to be maintained. In making decisions about risk control, it will therefore be necessary to consider the degree of control and the reliability of the control measures along with the costs of both providing and maintaining the measure.
The ISO 45001 hierarchy will now be discussed in detail.
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Most requirements are covered by the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations. These require signs wherever a risk has not been controlled by other means. For example if a wet area of floor is cordoned off, a warning sign will not be needed, because the barrier will keep people out of the danger area. Signs are not needed where the sign would not reduce the risk or the risk is insignificant.
The following signs are typical of some of the ones most likely to be needed in these premises. Others may be necessary, depending on the hazards and risks present.
(i) Overhead obstacles, construction site and prohibition notices (Figures 4.8 and 4.9) symbol categorised by shape, colour and graphic image
(Figure 4.7).
All workplaces need to display safety signs of some kind, but deciding what is required can be confusing.
Presented here are the basic requirements for the majority of small premises or sites, such as small construction sites, canteens, shops, small workshop units and offices. This section does not cover any signs which food hygiene law may require.
Figure 4.7 Colour categories and shapes of signs Prohibition
A red circular band with diagonal crossbar on a white background, the symbol within the circle to be black denoting a safety sign that indicates that a certain behaviour is prohibited.
Warning
A yellow triangle with black border and symbol within the yellow area denoting a safety sign that gives warning of a hazard.
Mandatory
A blue circle with white symbol denoting a sign that indicates that a specific course of action must be taken.
Safe condition
A green oblong or square with symbol or text in white denoting a safety sign providing information about safe conditions.
Fire equipment
A red oblong or square with symbol in white denoting a safety sign that indicates the location of fire-fighting equipment.
Figure 4.8 Examples of warning, mandatory and prohibition signs
Safety Helmet
Must be worn Overhead load Safety harness Must be worn
Not Drinkable No access for Pedestrians
Figure 4.9 Falling object and construction site entrance signs
Unauthorised entry to this site is strictly forbidden.
Safety helmets must be worn
Construction work in progress.
Parents are advised to warn children of the dangers of entering this site.
Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 all persons entering this site must comply with all regulations under this Act.
All visitors must report to the site office and obtain permission to proceed on to the site or any work area.
Safety signs and procedures must be observed and personal protection and safety equipment must be used at all times.
SITE SAFETY
Figure 4.6 Proper control of gases and vapours in a laboratory
(v) Fire action signs
These and other fire safety signs, such as fire
extinguisher location signs, will be needed (Figure 4.13).
Figure 4.13 Examples of fire action signs
Hose reel Fire Extinguisher
Fire alarm call point
(vi) First-aid
Signs showing the location of first-aid facilities will be needed. Advice on the action to take in the case of electric shock is no longer a legal requirement but is recommended (Figure 4.14).
Figure 4.14 Examples of first-aid signs
First-aid post First-aid stretcher
Eyewash (ii) Wet floors
These need to be used wherever a slippery area is not cordoned off. Lightweight stands holding double-sided signs are readily available (Figure 4.10).
Figure 4.10 Wet floor signs (iii) Chemical storage
Where hazardous cleaning chemicals are stored, apart from keeping the store locked, a suitable warning notice should be posted if it is considered this would help to reduce the risk of injury (Figure 4.11).
Figure 4.11 Examples of chemical warning signs
Toxic Corrosive
(iv) Fire safety signs
The Regulations apply in relation to general fire precautions. The guidance under the Fire Safety Order requires signs to comply with BS5499-4 and 5 and the Safety Signs and Signals Regulations.
Since 1998 the older, text-only ‘fire exit’ signs should have been supplemented or replaced with pictogram signs. Fire safety signs complying with BS5499-4 and 5 already contain a pictogram and do not require changing (Figure 4.12).
Figure 4.12 Examples of fire safety signs
Fire Exit
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(vii) Gas pipes and LPG cylinder stores
LPG cylinder stores should have the sign shown in Figure 4.15.
Figure 4.15 LPG sign