No one expects an accident to happen at work, and yet there were 622,000 workplace accidents that caused injuries between 2014-2016. With this costing employer over one billion pounds, it’s in everyone’s best interest to take health and safety in the workplace seriously. If workplace health and safety is something that you feel needs improving, whether you are an employer or employee, it’s worth encouraging. 

Whether you’re working on a construction site or in an office, there should be health and safety measures in place to help minimise the risk of any workplace injuries, and those in place in case an accident does occur. This will be different between work environments, but it can be as simple as knowing where the first aid box is kept and where each fire exit is. 

Here are some tips for improving health and safety in the workplace:

Start at the Beginning

Make sure every new-starter is taught about what health and safety measures are in place. Whatever your work environment, knowing this information is vital. Give each employee a tour of the workplace explaining the usual fire safety protocols and paying particular attention to any hazardous areas employees should be aware of.

Offer a Refresher Course

At the same time, make sure your current employees have the opportunity to be reminded of the health and safety measures in place. This should include anything new that may have been introduced since they started, such as if anyone is a first aider, etc. 

Be Prepared

Do your employees have the right PPE? If they are expected to do any manual labour (even if it's not often), have they had the appropriate training? Are there any restricted areas to be avoided? Being prepared can really make a difference – being prepared for work means you are aware of any health and safety situations that may come up.

Install Correct Labels and Signage

Even if you think employees have a good idea about health and safety, signage can drastically improve how aware people are in the workplace. Not only do these make people who are unfamiliar with the workplace aware of any hazards, it also reminds any employees to be vigilant. To have a look at our range of safety signs, click here.

Improving health and safety in the workplace doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, but is always a necessary way of keeping everyone safe. For any advice on what you may need to improve your workplace safety, feel free to get in touch. We can help you select from a massive range of health and safety signage. Call us today on 0800 3761 693.

Our Rotating Parts Hazard Signs minimise the risk of injury in the workplace by ensuring you're aware of the dangers at work from machinery with rotating parts, these equipment include feed rollers, pulley drivers, cog wheels and V-belts, and the risks increase with projecting bolts, keys or screws. The injuries you may sustain could be the crushing of your finger, arm or body on contact, and even suffocation from tight wrapping of clothing or from sparks and flying parts. It's important that when using a machine with rotating parts that you are wearing no loose clothing, if you have long hair you must ensure its tied back and you must be aware of what you're doing at all times.

To reduce the risk of any injuries sustained whilst operating a machine with moving parts, we suggest that you have one of Rotating Parts Hazard Signs near the machine to ensure the operator that and any bystanders of the risk associated with that machine. Our hazard signs come in a range of sizes and come in either self-adhesive vinyl or rigid plastic. They also comply with BS 5378, Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Click here to browse our range of Rotating Parts Hazard Signs.

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.

Hazard warning signs are sign that warn us about a potential hazard or danger we should be aware of when we are visiting or working in a certain area i.e. confined spaces, or working with certain gasses, chemicals or harmful materials such as asbestos. 

 The signs used let us know exactly what danger you could be at risk from, for example; 

• Fire hazards 

• Confined space 

• Asbestos 

• Laser hazards

• Radiation 

• Biological hazards

• Slips, trips and falls 

• Overhead hazards. 

Hazard signs play an essential role in protecting your staff and visitors from potential accidents. Hazard signs are used to forewarn people of potential dangers. It is important to us Hazard Warning Signs when you have done everything you can to prevent an incident, but there still is a significant risk of an accident. It is important not to use too many signs as this can cause confusion.

There are 3 different levels of hazard warning signs; 

Danger – should be used to alert the person of the highest level of hazards, if this sign is ignored it could result in serious injury, or in some cases death. 

Warning – These signs should be used to make the person aware of a mid-level hazard, if this sign is ignored is could result in a serious injury, or a possibility of death. 

Caution – the caution sign should be used if there is a low level hazard present in the area, if this sign is ignored it is not likely to cause minor injury. These signs should not be used if there is a risk of serious personal injury or death. 

Here at Label Source we stock a large range of Hazard Warning Signs, including General Hazard warning Signs, Fire hazard warning signs, confined space warning signs, Laser hazard warning signs, Asbestos warning signs  and much more. We produce all our Hazard warning signs to the highest standards meeting UK, EU, ISO EN 7010 and international standards. To view our full range of Hazard Warning Signs click here. 

In the unlikely event you can not find the particular sign you are looking for please contact us by telephone on 0800 3761 693 or email info@labelsouce.co.uk and a member of our specialist customer service team will assist you. 

As springtime approaches, the longer daylight hours and milder weather are likely to encourage an increase in recreational sports and activities on and around inland waterways. Many will dust down their clothing and equipment, which has been stored for the winter, and with much enthusiasm and vigour will embark on activities such as angling, climbing, walking or running, cycling, rowing, canoeing or kayaking, swimming, sailing, water skiing, wind surfing and sub-aqua.

However, there are risks and hazards associated with such pursuits, and these can be escalated if combined with an intake of alcohol, which can lower inhibitions, and temporarily inflate belief in ability or prowess.  Over a quarter of deaths from drowning occur in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, old quarry workings or canals, as reported in the latest WAid statistics for 2011.

Besides these fatalities, there are risks of a wide range of injuries from following the pursuits outlined above. These can include sprains or strains, fractures, crush injuries, lacerations and cuts from slides, slips, trips, tumbles and falls on damp banks, uneven surfaces on towpaths, or from rocky outcrops. Hyperthermia can result from immersion in deep, low temperature water, or from strong currents. Other injuries can be from poisoning or chemical burns from polluted water, collisions with underwater obstacles, entanglement in underwater vegetation, difficulties caused by breakdown of or ill maintained equipment, inadequate training or supervision, or from ill-health.

Matters can be made worst when some of these waterways are in remote locations, or locations with limited accessibility, and where signals for mobile phone are poor or non-existent, increasing the dangers by delaying the response time from emergency services.

To assist in providing a safe water experience, Label Source supply a range of health and safety signs to ISO 20712-1: 2008 Water signs and beach safety, as well as our general ranges of hazard warning signs and general prohibition signs, which warn the general public and workforce of water related dangers.