2.0 Legal Position

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 and the guidance on HSE L64 require the use of safety signs and signals if there is a significant risk that cannot be avoided or controlled in any other way.  The Regulations specify the design characteristics for safety signs so that staff moving from one workplace to another are easily able to interpret them.   For this purpose, traffic signs and markings within a workplace must follow the same standard as those used on the public highway.

The Regulations also require that any safety sings and signals are maintained in good order and that staff are trained to understand their meaning where necessary.

Under no smoking legislation, signage must be displayed in workplaces and vehicles.

There is further legislation which requires the display of an employers’ liability insurance certificate and the HSE’s Health and Safety Law poster.