WJEC Vocational Award Engineering Level 1/2

Chapter 10 Health and Safety in the Workshop Signage Signage is the word used for all the signs that you may see in a workshop environment. Knowing how to translate and understand the signs in a workshop is vital when dealing with potentially dangerous equipment and processes. By ignoring signage you could be in danger of harming yourself or others. Do you know the signs used to warn you that someone may be arc welding in your workshop? What would happen to your eyesight if you did not understand the signs and just popped your head into a welding booth to say hello? Could you lose the use of your sight temporarily or even permanently? This is why all Engineers should be aware of the signage that is displayed in any workshop environment. Safety signs tend to come in different shapes and colours that have specific meanings attached to them. The following table will give you the description of each shape and colour and what they mean. Sign Meaning Shape Colour Mandatory sign: specific instruction on behaviour Round White border, blue background, white pictogram Warning sign: giving warning of hazards or danger Triangular Black border, yellow/ orange background, black pictogram Prohibition sign: prohibiting behaviour and/or actions Round Red border, white background, black pictogram No danger: information on emergency exits, first aid, emergency stop, etc. Square or rectangular White border, green background, white pictogram Quite often, signs will come with some instruction in the form of text to reinforce the message: CEMEGAU PERYGLUS DANGEROUS CHEMICALS 95