Health safety signs are not utilised only to serve as decorative items in your workplace. These OHS tools are not installed on the walls or the doors to cover up the ugly or cracked surfaces. Their purpose is more than just that. They exist because they tell you something about safety and precautionary measures.
With their usefulness, it is just but important that you learn identifying various health safety signs. But because they come in diverse types, it is not easy to remember what they mean or represent. So before you get confused with all the signs you come across, here are a few things that you need to remember about health safety signs.
1. The red circle symbol with a diagonal line drawn through it means that you are prohibited from doing something. It is the graphical representation of the phrase "you must not" and "you are prohibited from . . ."
2. The yellow triangle sign tells you to be careful because you are within a zone where non-life-threatening yet hazardous materials or circumstances abound. It stands for caution, therefore the need for you to stay extra vigilant and careful.
3. The sign with a blue circle accompanied with a picture inside it is the image version of the rule "you must wear this . . ." It indicates all mandatory actions that you should do in order to avoid danger.
4. The green square represents emergency situations and actions. It is usually combined with a picture or text that informs you what action to take in case of emergency situations.
Now that you have been orientated with the four categories of health safety signs, you should be able to recognise all safety and warning messages communicated through signage.
