Do You Know Your Construction Site Health and Safety Signs?

Construction site health and safety signs are a legal requirement to maintain the health and safety of employees. Each sign has a different meaning and can tell employees not to enter an area, warn them of possible dangers, or let them know of a mandatory requirement. Employers and employees must understand these signs, to minimise risk and prevent workplace accidents. 

Employers must follow The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 when using construction site health and safety signs. Adequate training on construction site health and safety signs should also be provided on each project. 

Construction site health and safety signs

In this article we are going to look at each construction health and safety sign in more detail, including the colour and shape of each sign and its meaning. 

Mandatory signs

The most common type of construction site health and safety sign, mandatory signs are always blue and let employees know that they must follow a certain action before entering an area. This is not something that can be ignored; these signs are a legal requirement. 

In construction sites, you will find mandatory signs with instructions such as ‘keep out’, or ‘safety helmets must be worn’. Usually, these signs are a solid blue circle, with a white pictogram and lettering to indicate what must be done. 

As an employer, you must train your employees to understand these safety signs and follow them at all times. If you have provided appropriate training and displayed visible mandatory signs, it is up to the employee to follow them. 

Prohibition signs

Construction sites often have prohibition signs at the front of the site entrance, and these indicate that there is no unauthorised entry to the site. Prohibition signs must be red, as this symbolises danger and encourages visitors to stop, just like a traffic light. The sign will have a black pictogram with a red circle and line through it. Another common example that may be seen on construction sites is no-smoking signs, especially close to machinery or flammable materials.

Warning signs

A warning sign does not give a specific action or prohibit anything, but it does warn you of potential dangers or hazards. Most construction sites have a yellow warning sign outside the entry point, warning pedestrians that there is a construction site inside. This type of sign consists of a yellow triangle, with a black pictogram, lettering, and a border. You may also see asbestos warning signs on a construction site. 

Fire equipment signs

As the name suggests, fire equipment signs let employees know where fire equipment is kept. They can also mark a fire alarm call point, which all construction sites must have. Fire equipment signs are red and square, rather than circular. This is so workers can tell the difference between fire equipment signs and prohibition signs. They also have white pictograms and lettering.

Safe condition signs

A safe condition sign will usually indicate something to do with first aid, such as a first aid meeting point, or will point towards a fire exit. They are always green and are designed to alert employees to a place of safety, depending on the situation. Unfortunately, construction accidents happen, so it is useful to have a clear indication of where the first aid kit is. This type of sign is usually oblong or square, with a white pictogram and text. 

Which construction site safety signs do I need to use?

If you are an employer, you must assess your construction site, so you are aware of which construction safety signs you need. You must provide safety signs if you have found a significant risk that cannot be controlled or prevented in another way. If the safety sign does not help reduce the risk you have found, it is not a legal requirement, but you should take other action to mitigate any such risks. 

Construction workers are more at risk of workplace accidents than many other industries according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), so appropriate construction site safety signs are a must. 

Mandatory signs are common on construction sites, as employees must wear appropriate PPE at all times. Depending on the site and what machinery your employees use, you should have mandatory signs stating the need for hard hats, goggles, and high visibility jackets. 

To reduce the risk of pedestrians entering your construction site, you should also mark the entrance with a prohibition and warning sign. Fire equipment signs are required in all workplaces so that employees can find fire equipment quickly if there is an emergency. A first aid sign should also be used so employees are aware of where first aid boxes are kept on site. 

Hazardous substances, such as chemicals, dust, and mixtures, are commonly found on construction sites. This means you need to follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations. Use appropriate signs to mark the storage and use of hazardous substances on your construction site.

At SafetyBuyer, we carry a range of safety signs that cover many of the most common safety risks you may encounter on a construction site. By making sure every risk is clearly signposted, you can meet your legal obligations and keep everyone safe on site.