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In 1996 a special book was released providing advice and compliance of the safety and health signals and signs as provided in the Regulations Act of 1996. The Act is meant to guide employers, and people who have control and responsibility of different premises and work places; also those in charge of operating equipment which need verbal and non-verbal communication. The Act was subsequently updated to include a Regulatory Reform Order 2005 for fire safety and included graphical symbols, safety signs and safety colours. An amendment was also made to include changes which resulted from the Regulations Act 2015 with regard to labelling, classification and chemicals packaging. Section Dealing with Appropriate Signs This section deals with the various signs permitted to be used. Additional mandatory signs will become available if they are found to be intrinsic to the described features. Changes have been made to the warning signs with the deletion of words regarding harmful and irritant. Some new directives regarding the minimum requirement for displaying safety signs at the work place were implemented. Under these directives employers have to ensure that necessary safety signs – with regard to safety and health - are displayed at the work place. Standardisation of Mandatory Signs The abovementioned Directive calls for standardisation of all safety signs for European Union member states so that such signs give out a similar message. This is because certain categories of staff such as Engineers, who may be subject to transfer, will be familiar with similar mandatory signs in the new place of work. As of June 1 2015 CLP (Amendment) Regulations introduced some more amendments. A special Regulation was passed with regard to the packaging and labelling of mixtures and substances, and classification. Another type of agreement known as the GHS or Globally Harmonised System has been adopted in several EU countries. As the GHS is influenced by the older EU system, the new regulation has many similarities. Chain Reaction in the Directives Because many of the changes made as above were more in the region of replacements, the Directives were changed to reflect the law. This applied to domestic legislation also. Sections in the Regulations cover safety signs and use of mandatory signs. Also explained are the requirements for use of such signs (including colour, shape, etc). Similar details are required for use of safety signs for fire. A special section also deals with the subject of how employers have a duty to talk to their employees with regard to safety and health in the place of work. Employers also have to ensure that safety signs are put in place and regularly maintained, especially if there is any risk to the safety and health of their staff. What the Regulations Mean The terms that are used in the above mentioned Regulations imply (a) health and safety signs which provide necessary information with regard to health and safety in the work place. The signs can be displayed on signboards in colour. The signboard can also be a particular shape or symbol which when lit up is properly visible. Some important mandatory signs are prohibition signs, no access signs, warning signs, fire exit signs, emergency escape signs and first aid signs.
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