Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Part II Minimum general requirements concerning signboards

Intrinsic features

1.1.  The shape and colours of signboards are set out in paragraph 3, in accordance with their specific object (signboards indicating a prohibition, a warning, a mandatory action, an escape route, an emergency or fire-fighting equipment).

1.2.  Pictograms must be as simple as possible and should contain only essential details.

1.3.  The pictograms used may be slightly different from or more detailed than those shown in paragraph 3, provided that they convey the same meaning and that no difference or adaptation obscures the meaning.

1.4.  Signboards are to be made of shock and weather-resistant material suitable for the surrounding environment.

1.5.  The dimensions and colorimetric and photometric features of signboards must be such that they can be easily seen and understood.

Conditions of use

2.1.  Signboards are in principle to be installed at a suitable height and in a position appropriate to the line of sight, taking account of any obstacles, either at the access point to an area in the case of a general hazard, or in the immediate vicinity of a specific hazard or object and in a well-lit and easily accessible and visible location.

Without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 89/654/EEC(1), phosphorescent colours, reflective materials or artificial lighting should be used where the level of natural light is poor.

2.2.  The signboard must be removed when the situation to which it refers ceases to exist.

Signboards to be used

3.1.  Prohibitory signs

Intrinsic features:

• round shape

• black pictogram on white background, red edging and diagonal line (the red part to take up at least 35% of the area of the sign).

Signs to be used:

No smoking	Smoking and naked flames forbidden	No access for pedestrians
Do not extinguish with water	Not drinkable	No access for unauthorised persons
No access for industrial vehicles		Do not touch

Warning signs

3.2.  Intrinsic features:

• triangular shape

• black pictogram on a yellow background with black edging (the yellow part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

Flammable material or high temperature(2)	Explosive material	Toxic material
Corrosive material	Radioactive material	Overhead load
Industrial vehicles	Danger: electricity	General danger
Laser beam	Oxidant material	Non-ionizing radiation
Strong magnetic field	Obstacles	Drop
Biological risk(3)	Low temperature	Harmful or irritant material(4)

Mandatory signs

3.3.  Intrinsic features:

• round shape

• white pictogram on a blue background (the blue part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

Eye protection must be worn	Safety helmet must be worn	Ear protection must be worn
Respiratory equipment must be worn	Safety boots must be worn	Safety gloves must be worn
Safety overalls must be worn	Face protectionmust be worn	Safety harness must be worn
Pedestrians must use this route		General mandatory sign (to be accompanied where necessary by another sign)

Emergency escape or first-aid signs

3.4.  Intrinsic features:

• rectangular or square shape

• white pictogram on a green background (the green part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

Emergency exit/escape route

This way (supplementary information sign)

First-aid post

Stretcher

Safety shower

Eyewash

Emergency telephone for first-aid or escape

Fire-fighting signs

3.5.  Intrinsic features:

• rectangular or square shape

• white pictogram on a red background (the red part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

Fire hose

Ladder

Fire extinguisher

Emergency fire telephone

This way (supplementary information sign)

(1)

O.J. No. L393, 30.12.89, p. 1

(2)

In the absence of a specific sign for high temperature

(3)

Pictogram laid down in Council Directive 90/679/EEC of 26 November 1990 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (Seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) O.J. No. L374, 31.12.1990, p. 1

(4)

The background to this sign may exceptionally be amber if justified in order to differentiate it from a similar road safety sign