The use of asbestos can be traced back to BC Europe. It became popular as a construction material after the Industrial Revolution and was a mainstay until the 1980s. It has now been banned in most parts of the world but remains popular in developing countries.

The material has been linked to numerous respiratory disorders, so those removing it must take steps to keep themselves safe. People can only protect themselves once they know asbestos is present, and that’s where asbestos warning signs come in.

Many old buildings still contain asbestos. These buildings require ongoing maintenance, construction or destruction, meaning workers are still regularly exposed to asbestos, even in developed countries.

Below, we discuss the role of asbestos warning signs and stickers, the basics of asbestos safety and how to deal with asbestos generally.

Asbestos Safety: What Does The Law Say?

Asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999. Since it has only been banned for 21 years, asbestos is still a common problem in the UK. For that reason, UK laws focus on the safe disposal of asbestos and a commitment to creating safer buildings going forward.

When left alone, asbestos is usually fine. However, when demolished or tampered with, the dust and microfibers it lets off causes Mesothelioma, a chronic respiratory disease, as well as other, sometimes fatal, diseases.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is the most recent law passed to curb asbestos-related danger. The updated regulations state:

• If asbestos is in good condition, it may be left in place. However, it must be regularly assessed to ensure it doesn’t become a danger.
• Managers of non-domestic properties have a “duty” to inspect asbestos.
• If you’re demolishing or renovating a building, you must carry out a full asbestos inspection and note down associated risks.
• Removal of asbestos is to be undertaken by a licenced contractor in the majority of cases.
• Non-licenced removals by self-employed or other members of staff must have health surveillance by a registered doctor.

Any workers or people wrongfully exposed to asbestos will be liable to claim damages, so you must signpost it properly.

Further information and guidance can be found on the HSE website. 

How To Use Asbestos Warning Signs

Asbestos warning signs are pretty self-explanatory. They warn about the potential of being exposed to asbestos and are helpful to notify on-site workers and people passing working sites by of the dangers.

To use asbestos warning signs properly, we recommend:

• Placing them in areas well before the asbestos is present to give onlookers proper warning.
• Selecting clear, easy-to-see places to display them.
• Integrating signposting and labels into the asbestos risk assessment.
• Regularly testing areas to see if intact asbestos has degraded or become damaged.

If you’re wondering how to protect yourself from asbestos in a proactive way, signs are the best way. When combined with proper safety equipment, masks and other equipment, they can provide necessary, early warnings to at-risk people.

Get High-Quality Asbestos Warning Signs Today

If your work or building site requires asbestos protection, then consider investing in some asbestos warning signs.

We have a range of signs, stickers and labels that clearly and concisely communicate what you need.

Climate change and conservation are complicated challenges that will be with us well into the future. These problems can have a sense of enormity about them which can make us feel like we do not have a part to play in the solution. However, workplaces and employees can make changes that have an impact.

How can employers and employees help, then? What are some sustainability in the workplace ideas that anyone can use? Well, steps as small as using conservation signs can facilitate greening the workplace.

Below, we discuss how signs can play a part in conservation techniques in the workplace and explain how to use them.

What Are Conservation Signs?

Conservation signs help keep people aware of energy-saving solutions in the workplace. They can be as simple as reminders to turn off the lights, or more detailed guides.

Examples of conservation signs include:

• Conserve water, light and electricity signs
• Reminders to turn off lights and heating
• Pocket guides
• Switch-off signs for electrical equipment

In the busy day-to-day of most workplaces, it’s easy to forget to switch things off, turn the heating down or save energy at every juncture.

Conservation signs are there to act as a physical reminder of this, meaning employees will naturally fall into energy-saving patterns. When it comes to sustainability in the workplace ideas, they can be one of the more effective.

How Should You Use Conservation Signs?

Of course, signs alone can’t do all the heavy lifting; there needs to be a strategy in place to complement them. In simple terms, ensure conservation signs are:

• In areas of high people traffic, so more employees can read them.
• Place on all switches. If you don’t have enough signs, just place signs on switches which use the most energy (large electrical equipment, the most demanding lights, etc.)
• Use conservation signs in conjunction with training your staff about climate change and energy reduction. Pocket guides can help them consolidate this information.

When paired with waste-reduction strategies, you can use conservation signs to make each part of your business more efficient. It won’t just save you a few quid on energy costs; it’ll also be an important step to curb climate change.

If you want to figure out how to minimise waste in the workplace – or you wish to see some waste reduction strategies for business – consider our detailed blog How to Improve Recycling in the Workplace with Label Source's Help.

Get High-Quality Conservation Signs Today

Are you tired of your business’ high energy costs? Want your employees to return to a green workplace? Then discover our range of conservation signs today.

If you’re more interested in environmental labels, then read our blog Environmental Labels: How Labelling Looks After The Environment.

Notice signs are everywhere. Whether they are warning about small issues like wet paint or dangers like slippery floors, notice signs help keep people informed and protected.

However, proper use of notice signs is vital. Clumsy placement and lack of integration into existing safety policy can have a litany of knock-on effects. Warning signs in the workplace are essential to signpost hazards and keep staff safe, so care and attention is required.

Below, we discuss the importance of safety signs, what notice signs mean and how to use them as part of your workplace safety policy. 

The Different Types of Notice Signs

The purpose of notice signs and stands is to inform people of potential dangers. Notice signs are usually bright yellow with bold black lettering so people can more easily recognise them. There are a variety of notice signs and stands available, namely:

• Cleaning-in-progress signs
• Maintenance signs
• Out-of-use signs
• Fork-lift trucks signs
• Wet floor signs

Notice signs can be markedly different. However, they are all unified by their central goal of improving safety. Each notice sign meaning is understood through the use of clear lettering and a harmonised, distinct symbol.

How to Use Notice Stands & Signs

When it comes to using notice stands and signs, you need to follow two methods of best practice:

• Place them in an area where they are visible.
• Integrate them into existing safety practices.

The HSE advises that “[the] long-term visibility of the warning signs, i.e., lighting, degradation due to exposure to UV, corrosion, size, positioning, orientation should be considered”. This means that, where possible, notice signs should be placed in areas where activity and exposure won’t damage them.

As for integrating them into a safety policy, ensure the usage of notice signs is written into your company’s safety documentation. For example, if a member of staff is handling paint, or if they spill something on the floor, it should be in the written process to use a notice sign afterwards.

Without a safety policy a worker understands, notice signs are practically useless; they need to be unilaterally used across the business.

Looking For High-Quality Notice Signs

If you’re going to use notice signs, then you want them to last. Our range of notice signs can be easily stored and used for a long time, plus we have a variety of options for different safety hazards.

Where there are pipes, there is flow. Sometimes, the flow of a pipe’s contents is obvious. At other times, such as with diagonal or horizontal piping, it can be difficult to ascertain.

That’s where flow direction tape comes in. This nifty tape can help plumbers and construction workers identify where gas or liquid flow is coming from, thus keeping them safe.

Below, we discuss what flow direction is in more detail, and how to use it. 

What is Flow Direction Tape?

Flow direction tape is literal – it identifies the flow of gas or liquid in a pipe. This is important for maintaining safety during maintenance, safety assessments and renovations.

Identifying the flow of gas or liquid in a pipe is a prerequisite to numerous plumbing protocols. Without flow direction tape, it can take longer to identify and rectify issues with pipework.

Flow direction tape helps by not only showing the direction of water in the pipe but by being resistant, too. The majority of flow direction tapes are resistant at a variety of temperatures, and their adhesives still work from around -10°C to 50°C.

How to Use Flow Direction Tape

Flow direction tape is reasonably easy to use, but application errors can have negative long-term effects. For this reason, it’s important to get it right. To apply flow direction tape, you must:

• Identify the flow of gas or liquid for a pipe. It’s important to establish this beforehand, as using the tape incorrectly can mean safety hazards later down the road.
• To correctly establish the water flow, simply find the location of the pump and work from there. For a more accurate assessment, there are a variety of longitudinal calculations and equipment a professional can use.
• After establishing flow, use a tape in the direction of that flow. Ensure it is pressed down firmly, and turn off any hot water for the adhesive to settle.
• Place tapes along the pipe so they are easily read at various points. Tapes are typically applied at drain valves, flange joints and ducting.

It is also important to use the right pipeline tape colour:

• Ochre - Gases
• Green – Water
• Light Grey – Steam
• Violet – Acids and Alkalis
• Red - Fire Services
• Light Blue – Air
• Brown – Minerals and Oils

Get High-Quality Flow Direction Tape Today

At Label Source, we stock a variety of flow indication tapes which provide high-quality and good value. If you require pipework maintenance, then you need to check out our range of pipe identification products.

How do you keep wires safe, and how do you truly know if electrical equipment is secure? Ever since the advent of electricity, employers and workplaces have endeavoured to keep electrical equipment safe.

Thankfully, the (BS 7671) Wiring Regulations have been developed to apply a nationwide standard of electrical safety.

Below, we discuss what BS 7671 is, why wiring labels are needed and give a short history of why the regulations are important.

What Do The BS 7671 Wiring Regulations Protect?

The regulations specifically put action plans in place, primarily to protect against the risk of fire from electrical wiring. In addition to protecting against fire, the regulations:

• Protect against electric shock.
• Protect against thermal effects and damage.
• Protect against voltage.

For this reason, BS 7671 is mandatory and far-reaching. If electricity is being passed through a device, then BS 7671 regulations must be followed with appropriate labels. 

The History of BS 7671

The origins of BS 7671 can be traced back to 1882. In that year, after electricity began to enter more households, a document entitled “Rules and Regulations for the Prevention of Fire Risks Arising from Electric Lighting” was published.

These rules were expanded on in 1897 with “General Rules recommended for Wiring for the Supply of Electrical Energy". As electricity and technology developed, these initial rules were iterated upon.

Since 1882, there have been 18 editions published. The most recent edition was released in 2018, with an amendment in 2020.

Each edition and amendment usually concerns a new technology. For example, the 2020 amendment dealt with car charging.

The Role of Inspection BS 7671 Labels

So, why are BS 7671 labels needed? Under the 17^th edition of the BS 7671 Regulations published in 2008, all electrical equipment must have identifiable labels on them covering the item’s inspection details. These labels include:

• Installation inspection labels.
• Three-phase colour coding.
• Distribution board details.
• Cable schematics.
• Circuit breaker information.

Overall, the labels should provide as much information as possible in a clear, concise manner.

Make Sure You’re Regulation Ready

If your workplace uses complex electrical equipment, then you may need BS 7671 labels. Our range of wiring labels can help by allowing you to present all the necessary information to stay within the latest regulations.