subject: What Kind Of Hazards Can Safety Signs Warn About [print this page] Safety signs are one of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing accidents in the workplace. They let you instantly warn visitors and staff about the identified hazards and can also give advice on how to reduce the risk of injury or avoid any potential incidents.
Different types of hazards require different types of safety signs but certain types of workplace hazards are more likely than others to be prevented by a simple warning sign. This isn't quite as clear cut as you might think. Whilst many psycho-social issues such as stress, bullying or 'burn out' are hardly going to be stopped by a simple sign, signs which warn people to be prepared for the harassment from outside the organisation, or even just remind employees to take breaks, can help reduce injury in the work place.
However generally speaking, warning signs are more suited for physical hazards. A brief list of these includes:
Mechanical Hazards
Danger of noise or vibration damage (e.g. heavy machinery such as roadwork)
Danger of Barotrauma (e.g. the danger of pressure changes such as underground construction)
Danger from lighting (e.g. bright lights that may obscure vision, flashing lights that may cause seizures)
Danger of radiation (e.g. x-ray machines or industrial materials)
Danger of crushing or blunt trauma (e.g. operating heavy machinery)
Biological Hazards
Danger of bacterial infection (e.g. cuts in dirty environments)
Danger of viral infection (e.g. working in close quarters, hygiene awareness signs)
Danger of fungal infection (e.g. inhaling mold in renovation work)
Danger of blood-borne pathogens (e.g. waste disposal or medical work)
Chemical hazards
Danger of acids (e.g. irritation, corrosive or toxic harm)
Danger of base materials (e.g. irritation, corrosion or explosive reactions with other industrial materials)
Danger of lead poisoning (e.g. ingestion, inhalation or prolonged exposure to lead)
Danger of particulates (e.g. inhaling silicate or asbestos particles)
Danger of fire/explosion (e.g. flammable materials)
Environmental hazards
Danger of workplace traffic (e.g. vehicles crossing or HGV parking areas)
Danger of exposure (e.g. dehydration due to heat or aridity, or tissue damage/hypothermia due to cold)
Danger of slipping or tripping (e.g. wet floor signs)
Danger of Confined spaces (e.g. the danger of becoming stuck or hitting your head)
Danger of falling objects (e.g. hard hat signs)
Danger of falling (e.g.edge of railing signs on scaffolding or roof work)
