The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 ensures Welsh remains as an official language in Wales. This means, legally, it cannot be treated less favourably than English in any part of daily life.

With regards to road signs and other publically displayed signage, these were made as a legal requirement in the Welsh Language Act 1993. This is what leads to the variety of bilingual signs in Wales, and to a mix of surprise and confusion for non-native visitors.

However, what was the journey to achieving this legal requirement, and why were they introduced in the first place?

The Battle For Welsh Signs

According to the ONS, the number of Welsh speakers in the UK now sits at 874,700 (just under a third of the Welsh population). While almost all of these speakers are also adept at English, making these speakers feel involved is essential in keeping the Welsh language alive, as well as accommodating people who are native Welsh speakers.

Historically, the battle for bilingual Welsh signs occurred during the 1960s and 1970s following several court cases due to the defacement, destruction and removal of English-only signs in Wales by the Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg).

Following that, a series of peaceful protests and defacement of non-bilingual signs began in Wales. The results were successful as the 1972 Bowen Committee recommended that Welsh should be included on all road signs.

As a natural consequence of bilingual Welsh signs, safety signs and any other signage soon had an expectation to include native speakers thanks to the Welsh Language Act 1993, culminating in the aforementioned landmark measure in 2011.

What About Other Native Languages?

While there are bilingual Irish and Gaelic road signs, they have not seen the same translation into safety signs as their Welsh counterparts.

Whether it’s down to the number of speakers or simply a lack of support, Wales remains the only region in the UK where all signs are expected to be bilingual, no matter which part of the country you’re in.

Get Your Welsh Bilingual Safety Signs Here

Stock up on Welsh bilingual safety signs at Label Source. We have a full range of labels and signs for a variety of workplaces which satisfy HSE standards.

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Gas cylinders, especially compressed gas cylinders, need to be handled properly. If safety standards are ignored, then the consequences could be fatal.

Thankfully, proper gas cylinder safety is easy once a process is set up. Here, we discuss how to keep gas cylinders safe in transit and in storage, as well as how gas cylinder tags help.

Keeping Gas Cylinders Safe In Storage

When cylinders become damaged, there may not be apparent signs immediately. However, exposure to high levels of heat or damage to the shell can lead to shrapnel explosions which, depending on luck, can lead to injuries or fatality.

So, guaranteeing that cylinders are safe is essential. To keep gas cylinders safe in storage, an employer must follow HSG139 ‘The Safe Use of Compressed Gases in Welding, Flame Cutting and Allied Processes’. Broadly, the guidelines state cylinders must:

• Always be kept upright with a chain or strap in an appropriate cylinder cart.
• Be stored well away from combustible materials and traffic.
• Be kept in a well ventilated, dry place.
• Have all their valves checked to ensure they are closed, and protection devices are in appropriate shape.
• Have correct gas hazard signs around them and you should ensure proper gas cylinder tags are being used.
• Be segregated once empty.
• Never be put in lockers or other confined spaces to avoid gas build-up.
• LPG (Liquid petroleum gas) should be stored separately from other canisters.

Keeping Gas Cylinders Safe In Transit

When transporting gas cylinders, you must ensure the vehicle in question is suitable for purpose. Plenty of storage must be available, and gas cylinders must be stored in a way where sharp turns or accidents won’t cause the canisters to fall or break.

The vehicle must also be signposted, stating that it is carrying dangerous, toxic or flammable items. The driver must be trained in handling cylinders and driving a vehicle containing dangerous goods, too.

Overall, the carriage of goods must satisfy the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations.

Get Your Gas Cylinder Tags Here

If you’re a business who handles gas cylinders, then make sure to follow the above advice and ensure you are stocked up on gas cylinder tags.

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Traffic management is underappreciated right up until the moment we’re stuck in a never-ending jam or encounter a poorly-designed car park. Urban planning and traffic management develop in tandem with the most modern of cities and towns placing eco-friendly, fluid solutions to congestion at the forefront.

Managing traffic doesn’t need to be a long-term solution only, though. Short-term management is popular at events and during construction. Whether it is a long-term change to a road system or short-term parking for a town faire, traffic management signs are needed.

Here, we discuss the uses for these signs and their importance.

The Law

First and foremost, all signs must conform to BS 8442, Chapter 8, and the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2016. The BS 8442 guidelines are detailed, describing its purpose as explaining the importance of “[planning] all works activities and temporary closures to optimise safety, road space and work efficiency, whilst minimising road user congestion, delay and inconvenience”.

This is complemented by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2016 which prescribes the designs and conditions of use for traffic signs, road markings, signals, etc.

All of our range satisfies these latest design guidelines, as well as conforming to BS 8442.

Short-Term Traffic Control Management

Short-term traffic management refers to things like pop-up events or misdirecting traffic follow construction or an accident. To that end, signs and products like the following tend to be used:

• Temporary Road Signs
• Roll-up Road Signs

So, if you’re organising an event, you need to use the above signs in conjunction with short-term transport guidelines. Overall, when setting up short-term traffic control, you must:

• Assess the risks of vehicle movements
• Separate people and vehicles
• Organise a traffic management system that incorporates one-way systems
• Minimise the need for reversing
• Clear entry and exit points, especially for emergency vehicles
• Consider alternative traffic routes if bad weather is forecast

Our short-term traffic signs can help significantly with the above.

Long-Term Traffic Control Management

Longer-term traffic management, which includes maintenance and the construction of new roads, also requires signs to operate. Commonly, traffic is still moving when engineers and construction workers are toiling away, so this is where other temporary road signs are used.

Signs like ‘Keep Left’ or ‘Keep Right’ and ‘Temporary Road Works’ will be a common sight for any driver, but they’re essential in maintaining some semblance of optimum traffic flow at times of significant change to roads, pathways and other channels.

Are You Prepared to Safely Manage Traffic?

The importance of safe, secure traffic management cannot be overstated. Stay stocked up with our traffic control management signs.

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Metal nameplates have several benefits, mostly due to their resistance to weather and overall durability. However, each type of nameplate – which includes brass, stainless steel and aluminium nameplates – has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Below, we list the benefits of metal nameplates, as well as each type’s qualities.

The Benefits of Metal Nameplates

Broadly speaking, metal nameplates appear a little more high-end than their plastic counterparts. A metallic structure communicates a strong message to your client base. There’s a reason why it is used on public transport like trains; it looks safer, more durable and reliable. However, going beyond aesthetic choices, metal nameplates offer a cost-effective solution to your nameplate needs.

They simply offer the best protection against environmental hazards. No matter the weather, a quality metal nameplate won’t fade or become damaged. Reliability is the core selling point of these products.

However, not all metal nameplates are made equal. Considering whether you want an aluminium, brass or stainless steel nameplate is a decision you’ll have to make.

Take Your Pick: Aluminium, Brass or Stainless Steel?

Picking between aluminium, brass and stainless steel depends on what you need.

Aluminium nameplates, once coated with an anode layer, boast strong protection against chemicals, weather and other light conditions for several years. They are the lightest in weight on the market out of the three available, as well as being the most malleable of the bunch (which means you can make some inventive designs with them!)

Brass occupies the middle ground between aluminium and steel offering strong resistance against corrosion. It is reasonably light, but it doesn’t have the same feather-like design as aluminium nameplates.

Finally, steel nameplates are the toughest of the bunch and should be used for the most demanding of conditions. They have considerable resistance to chemicals, temperature extremes, seawater and direct mechanical damage.

Uses for Metal Nameplates

Typically, metal nameplates are used in industrial settings. They can be used to:

• Designate the producer of a piece of machinery
• State the brand and/or name of a piece of equipment
• Add decorative value
• Place serial codes and barcodes

Metal nameplates can also be used by stores and other customer-facing jobs to signpost key areas or for added decoration. Some people even like to use them as house nameplates!

Find Nameplates For Your Business Here

Think you can benefit from industrial-level metal nameplates? Then check out the range here from Label Source.

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No matter where you work, electricity will be somewhere in your workplace. Sure, some jobs, such as engineers or electricians, encounter it a lot more, but even if you’re a humble office worker or an agrarian farmer, there’ll be some point in your working day where you’re face-to-face with a potential hazard.

Treatment for electric shock and its symptoms has come a long way, but as always, the best line of defence is using correct safety protocol. However, even if signs are used perfectly, the volatile nature of electricity can still result in accidents, so staff members must know the correct steps to deal with them.

Even the smallest shocks can have a long-term effect on health, so find out how electric shock notices and proper protocol saves lives below.

What Does the Law State?

Generally speaking, The Health and Safety Regulations 1996 place a responsibility on employers to provide safety signs in places and circumstances where there is risk to their employees. The level of risk is calculated during a risk assessment, so, in the case of electrical dangers, electric shock notices would need to be put in place to proactively protect employees.

A separate set of laws are specific to electrical dangers. These are principally defined by the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 which puts responsibility on employers to ensure electrical devices are safe in the workplace. Employers, defined as the duty holders, must:

• Organise electrical systems in a way that prevents danger
• Keep electrical systems maintained and functioning safely
• Carry out repairs by a professional to prevent danger

However, once a risk assessment is carried out, how do you mitigate risk, react to accidents and what is the best practice for electrical-related signs in general?

How to Mitigate Risk

Other methods include:

• Checking to see if fuses are correctly fitted.
• Ensuring equipment at 230 volts or over has an RCD (residual current device) fitted order to limit the duration of electrical shocks.
• Consistently running maintenance to prevent and fix any problems with electrical equipment.

In addition to the above, you or another member of staff should be trained in how to deal with someone who has suffered from electric shock.

How to React Should an Electric Shock Occur

The first step to dealing with someone suffering from electric shock is to safely turn off the source of electricity. If this is not possible, then do not touch or go near the person until it is switched off.

Once the power has been switched off, prevent the injured person from becoming too cold. If they are unresponsive, then perform CPR if you are properly trained in it.

For burn areas, they should be covered by a sterile gauze bandage or cloth. Under no circumstances should a towel, blanket or other thick covering be used as the fibres can stick to the affected area.

The emergency services should be called if the person has any of the following electric shock symptoms:

• Confusion
• Arrhythmia
• Cardiac arrest
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Muscle pain and contractions
• Breathing difficulty

Of course, erring on the side of caution is recommended. If anybody is affected by electricity, then the emergency services or a trip to A&E can’t hurt. 

Electrical Sign Best Practice

A significant portion of electric-related injuries are down to, pardon the pun, shocking standards of signage. All possible electrical hazards must be signposted with appropriate signage.

Label Source stocks a range of electric shock notices to prevent the possibility of accidents and help to keep your premises safe.