Reading the signs can be a matter of life or death

[BEFORE YOU EVEN ENTER a building site, you are reminded of the hazardous nature of the working environment by the series of health and safety warning and information signs displayed on the hoarding at all site entrances.

As health and safety management consultancy HASPOD point out: “Construction site safety signs are displayed to deliver a clear health and safety message. Failing to understand the meaning of a health and safety sign on site might mean you lose your life – or your job.”

The Health and Safety Executive explains the legal requirement for safety signs in all industries.

“Employers must provide safety signs if there is a significant risk that can't be avoided or controlled in any other way, such as through safe systems of work or engineering controls. There is no need to provide safety signs if they don't help reduce the risk or if the risk isn't significant. This applies to all places and activities where people are employed.”

Employers must, where necessary: • Use road traffic signs in workplaces to regulate • road traffic • Maintain the safety signs they provide • Explain unfamiliar signs to their employees and tell them what they • need to do when they see safety signs

In the context of construction sites, the regulations governing the provision of safety signs are the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (CDM 2015): the main set of regulations