It is our policy to reduce risks in the workplace so far as is reasonably practicable.  However, where, despite these efforts, a risk remains, we will use safety signs and signals to warn staff and others of that risk.  It is also our policy to display and keep up to date, any other health and safety signs and notices which are legally required.

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.

The Service Director for Property and Assets is responsible for ensuring that:

• Safety signs are displayed to give warning of hazards which cannot be adequately controlled by other means, to prohibit certain actions where necessary, to communicate mandatory safety rules and to designate safety zones

• A copy of the poster ‘Health and Safety Law – what you should know’ is displayed in every premises.

• The current employer’s liability insurance certificate is displayed in every premises, or electronically in a place which is accessible to all staff.

• Signs are displayed in accordance with the recommendations of the fire risk assessment for each premises including fire escape signage, fire action notices and fire extinguisher information

• Signs are displayed as necessary to enable staff to access first aid

• Pipes containing hazardous substances are clearly marked to show their contents and emergency shut-off valves are also clearly marked

• The shape, colour and design of safety signs and markings complies with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

• Signs and road markings are displayed for the effective management of traffic on the premises, following the standards of highway road traffic signs, so far as practicable.

• Adaptions are made when necessary, so that staff and visitors who have a disability or whose first language is not English, receive the warnings and information intended to be provided by signs and signals

• Signals including the fire alarm, lockdown alert, panic alarms and lift alarms are clearly audible throughout the premises and that a programme of testing and servicing is carried out.

• A Health and Safety area on the Buckinghamshire Council intranet is accessible for the display of the health and safety policy, minutes of health and safety meetings and promotional material.

• Routine monitoring of the workplace includes a check on the presence, visibility, condition, and where applicable illumination of safety signs, with repairs carried out promptly where required and obsolete signage removed.

Line Managers must ensure that:

• Employees who do not attend the premises regularly are instructed where they may find an e copy of the leaflet ‘Health and Safety Law – what you should know’ and where this is not appropriate where a leaflet must be provided.

• Staff are aware of the meaning of different safety signs and signals at their workplace and the action they are required to take.

• ‘No smoking’ signs are displayed in Council vehicles.

• Employees who need to supervise transport and lifting activities are instructed in the use of standard hand signals.

Employees must follow any rules displayed on safety signs and respond to safety signals in accordance with their training.

Records must be retained of all inspections and maintenance of safety signs and signals.