For gamers there may be a mixture of excitement and trepidation when approaching an unmarked door at the end of an under-lit corridor. With all other routes of escape ruled out, the only option is to proceed towards the door. Scenarios flash quickly through the gamer’s mind. Will the door itself be booby-trapped? Are there alien lifeforms or mutants on the other side? Beyond the door could you be plunged into a vat of molten goo? The gamer’s hand is extended and clasps the door handle.

One of the key elements of computer games is to heighten tension, maintain mystique and provide scant information. Back on planet Earth, to offer good practice in the interests of personal welfare and safety, the very opposite should apply. Doorways should be marked clearly to advise of any risks or hazards, which may exist at or behind the doors.

This can comprise a variety of hazards including steps, stairs, uneven floors, sloping walkways, slippery or wet floor surfaces, low ceilings, other overhead obstacles, confined spaces, or other obstructions.

To make matters easier, Label Source supply ranges of health and safety signs to clearly identify and create awareness of such hazards, to prevent accidents or injury from slips, trips, falls or bashes. Other safety ranges for use on doors include access and escape signs.

Over the 25 years that Label Source has been in operation we have built a reputation for providing top quality labels, signs and tags.  We have put a lot of effort into becoming one of the UK’s leading suppliers of identification products, including, metal tags, nameplates, and signs.

We are proud to be able to offer our customers with such a comprehensive range of custom metal tags.

Our durable metal tags are ideal for a range of applications within industrial industries. We supply a range of blank custom metal tags, available in a range of different materials, including brass, aluminium and stainless steel. These metal tags offer you the opportunity to customise them to your specific requirements.

Metal tags and custom metal tags are longer lasting than their plastic counterparts, and are able to withstand the harsh environments of industrial applications. They are ideal for marking pipelines and machinery, industrial equipment, valves, machine maintenance on-site services and even tables and seating. All of our tags can be etched, engraved, or stamped with relevant information.

Brass tags are often used for a wide range of industrial applications and are a good choice for custom metal tags. Because brass doesn’t produce sparks, it’s ideal for applications in highly flammable areas. Brass is often used for valve tags, as it is corrosion resistant, and non-magnetic. Brass can also withstand extremely high temperatures and has a melting point of 900 degrees Celsius. With a variety of shapes available, we are confident that we have a tag that suits your requirements.  

Aluminium tags, whilst not suitable for use in extremely hot temperatures, aluminium tags are ideal for use in much colder environments. Our lightweight aluminium tags are extremely strong, Non-toxic and non-magnetic. Like brass tags, aluminium tags are also non-sparking making them a great choice for your custom metal tags.  Here at Label Source we provide a range of aluminium tags, from resilient Anodised Aluminium (including black anodised aluminium) to colour aluminium tags – perfect if you have a colour coded inventory system.

We also stock a range of steel tags, including marine grade stainless steel tags. These tags are extremely durable and are suitable for use in a range of different environments. They are suitable for marking valves, flanges, pipes, tools, plant and machinery. We also have available, a range of galvanised steel tags. These tags have an extended service life due to the fact that they have a coating of zinc oxide, they are rust resistant, anti-corrosive, abrasion resistant and water repellent, and above all else they can withstand temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius.

Visit our Metal Tags department to see more of Label Sources extensive range.  Before you purchase your metal tags from label source, please ensure that it is suitable for the intended use. If you have any questions about our metal tags, or if you cant find the metal tag that you require, please contact us by calling us on 0800 3761 693.

During the mid 1970 – early 1980s the use of blue and brown asbestos was banned herein the UK, while the ban of using white asbestos happened much later in 1999. This means that there is an extremely high chance that buildings constructed before 2000 will contain asbestos, somewhere. This means that even today, 16 years after the ban, people, especially construction workers are at risk of exposure to this deadly material.

Before you start working on any building built or refurbished before the year 2000, you will need to ensure that there is no asbestos present. Before starting any work – of any kind you need to do the following:

Identify if asbestos is present.

The first step is to identify whether there is any asbestos present in the building. the people who are responsible for the maintenance of the building should have a detailed report about any areas of the building that contains asbestos, and what condition it is in. Failing this you can get the building professionally surveyed. By getting the samples of the material that you are going to be working on analysed, will not only tell you if they contain asbestos, but it will also inform you of what type of asbestos is present.  If you can’t get the samples analysed, then it is advised that you approach the work materials that you will be working with, with extreme caution and implement the appropriate precautions to safeguard yourself against any possible asbestos exposure.

Identify the type of asbestos, and its condition

It is important to understand what type of asbestos you are dealing with. The different types of asbestos all have different uses, for instance, Tremolite asbestos (brown) has heat resistant properties and was spun and woven into cloth, whereas Actinolite asbestos was often used as a light-weight insulation material.  Knowing the type of asbestos present, makes it easier to identify where it is being used and how to remove it.

Carry out a risk assessment

Carrying out a detailed risk assessment is crucial when you are planning dangerous work. Working with asbestos is no exception. When conducting your risk assessment, you need to clarify if it is possible to carry out the work that you are tasked with, without disturbing the asbestos.

If it impossible to carry out the work without disturbing the asbestos, you have to identify the people who will be at the most risk of exposure and implement the correct precautions to ensure their safety while to work is being carried out.

Hire Professionsals to Remove the Asbestos

 If you find that the building you are working on has asbestos, you will need to call in a specialist asbestos remover. These people are fully trained to the risks of asbestos exposure, and are experts at protecting themselves and other around them. Asbestos removal will need to be carried out by a contractor, who holds a license from the HSE.  

If you are managing a building which contains asbestos, it is vital that you clearly label the areas where the asbestos is found in the building. It is customary that you do this by implementing warning signs. If you have recently discovered asbestos, or need to replace your current asbestos warning signs in your workplace simply click here to view our truly comprehensive range of asbestos warning signs. 

We pride ourselves in providing a truely comprehensive range of warning signs and safety labels, however in the unlikely circumstance you can not find the sign you are looking for you can call us on 0800 3761 693 or email us at info@labelsource.co.uk and we will be more than happy to assist you. 

Label source have for many years specialised in delivery high quality labels to a number of industries, and the medical industry is no exception. Since we began trading in over 25 years ago, Label Source has since become one of the leading UK suppliers of medical labels.

In today’s fast paced medical environments, assets are often moved between different departments, even different hospitals. So it is vital that there is an effective asset management system in place to keep track of the whereabouts of all your assets.

Implementing an Asset management system in your workplace, be it a general practice, pharmacy or a hospital, will enable you to track your assets, control your inventory and stock levels and also manage the maintenance of your equipment with ease. Asset tags also deter people from stealing your assets from you, or tamper with your assets when being transported to a new location.

We offer a wide range of bespoke asset labels that are ideal for medical applications. To view our specialist range of asset tags, click here. 

Waste Management

Waste segregation is key for waste management within the medical environment. Every clinic, hospital and pharmacy has to deal with “regulated medical waste”, waste that is often contaminated with Blood, infectious materials, and body fluids. This waste often contains highly infectious materials which could transmit infections if not disposed of correctly.

Label source are one of the UK’s leading medical waste labels suppliers. With a wide range of specialist waste management labels, including biohazard signs, hazardous waste, toxic waste, and clinical waste signs, we boast a fully comprehensive range of labels and signs that will cater for your every need.

Click here to browse our waste management department. 

First Aid Signs 

According to workplace regulations, employers need to display where the first aid equipment or the first aid room is located. It is also good practise to have a sign advising you staff who their on-site first aider is.

First aid signs have the potential to save lives, whether it be at an event, in your workplace or at a venue, by indicating where medical equipment, or a medical personnel is located could save someone’s life in case of an emergency.

Label Source has a full department dedicated to first aid signs. Click here to browse our selection of first aid signs, safety conditions signs and projecting safe conditions signs. 

Our high quality medical labels are trusted by General Practices, Hospitals, Clinics and Pharmacy’s Nationwide. Searching for a specific medical label can be overwhelming, especially when presented with a truely comprehensive range. If you run into any difficulties finding the sign you need, or you require a more bespoke sign, we would be more than happy to help.  

In November 2015, the sentencing council wrote the definitive guideline on health and safety offence, corporate Manslaughter and Food safety and Hygiene offences. As of February 1^st 2016 new guidelines for health and safety offences will come into force.

These new guidelines have been designed to increase the level of fines, especially for larger companies who do not adhere to health and safety regulations. Larger companies, companies with a turnover in excess of £50 million, could see a fine of £10 million if they are caught in breach of health and safety regulations. Companies with a larger turnover could be hit with fines that exceed £10 million.

Prior to the creation of the definitive guideline there was no consistent method of calculating the fines that were issued to offending companies. The amount the company was fined was very much left to the judge and their opinion on the matter. The old legislation allowed for unlimited fines and no clear starting point.

The new definitive guidelines provide a nine step approach for the judges to follow, allowing the calculations of the sentences to be consistent across the UK.  The stages include;

Determining the offence category: The court will determine the offence category by various culpability and harm factors provided in the guidelines.

Starting Point and category range: at this stage the court will be focused on the organisation’s annual turnover, using this as a starting point for the sentencing.

Check whether the proposed fine based on turnover is proportionate to the overall means of the defender: in this stage the court will review the amount of the fine based on your annual turnover, and ensure that the fine they are charging the organisation with is large enough to make a substantial impact on the business to ensure that they will follow health and safety regulations in the future.

Consider other factors that may warrant adjustment of the proposed fine:  the court will take into account any impacts of the fine within the company. For example, the amount of the fine impairs the companies’ ability to makes restitution to victims.

Consider any factors which indicate a reduction

Reduction for guilty pleas: the court will take into account and reduction for a guilty plea.

Compensation and Ancillary orders: the court will consider whether to make ancillary orders. These include; Remediation, Forfeiture and compensation.

Totality principle: if sentencing for more that one offence, consider whether the total sentence is just and proportionate to the offending behaviour.  

Reasons:  duty to give reasons for and explain the effect of the sentence.

This new guideline will apply to all health and safety cases in the UK. The guidelines provide the judges with a “fine matrix” which helps them come up with a suitable fine for the offence. In total there are 4 categories of culpability with categories ranging from high (1) a deliberate breach or complete disregard to the law, and 4 categories of harm high (1) which is serious harm including death to low (4) .

For large companies, if the judge rules their offence as low culpability and a harm category of 4 they can expect a fine ranging from £3,000 - £60,000. The judge rules their offence as high culpability and harm category 1 they can expect fines in the region of £2,600,000 – £10,000,000. Micro business - businesses that do not turn over £2,000,000 per annum. Fines for low culpability and low harm cases can range between £50 – £2,000. T

This new guideline makes it clear that they will be fining companies a substation amount to make an economic impact which will really highlight to the company the importance of following the health and safety legislation. Whilst in the past, the fines imposed on companies found in breach of health and safety regulations have been focused on the outcome, however, these new fines are supposed to punish the employees that put their employees at risk.

You can read the new sentencing guidelines here.