Explosive atmospheres hazard zones in the workplace have to be clearly marked in accordance with The Dangerous Substance and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), with the aim to eliminate or control such risks from flammable gases, vapours or combustible dust being ignited on mixing with air. These are the implementation of the EU’s ATEX Regulations, both the Workplace Directive (99/92/EC) and the Equipment Directive for electrical and mechanical tools (94/9/EC).

Label Source has a range of health and safety to identify areas of potential risk from gas or dust release, with the use of correct equipment (including equipment labels), in hazard zones ranging from Zone 0 to Zone 2 (for gases), and Zone 20 to Zone 22 (for dust), and for related equipment for safe operation in the zones.

There are a range of potential sources of ignition such as sparks (either electrical or mechanically generated), electrostatic discharge, high surface temperatures, ionising radiation, naked flames, electrical networks, radio frequency or electromagnetic waves, ultrasound, lightning or adiabatic atmosphere compression).

Our signs are used in a wide spectrum of customers involved in manufacture, storage, transportation, recycling or use of paint, varnishes, flammable gases (such as acetylene), methane at landfill sites, petrol, LPG, chemicals, resins, solvents and plastics, or particles from wood, coal, grain, flour, animal feeds, coatings or powders.

For ATEX applications our ranges include signs for no smoking and no naked flame prohibition safety, hazard warning (including EX signs), electrical safety, electrostatic discharge, chemical warning, and use of personal protective equipment.

Label Source supply a range of electrical and electronic equipment labels to identify electrical safety features such as electrical earth or ground. These are to assure users of the equipment that they are safe from injury from the electrical shock. In addition, these markers can provide evidence of the performance integrity of appliances, lightning protection and prevention of static electrical charge.

Amongst the range of electrical safety symbols are electrical earth, safety earth, ground, protective conductor, neutral conductor, potential equalisation, direct current (DC), alternating current (AC), positive and negative.

In addition, we have several other label ranges for electrical equipment marking.

If you have any made to order requirements involving electrical equipment markers, please contact us by e-mail (sales@labelsource.co.uk ) or by telephone 0800 3761693 (UK), or +44 1443 842769 (outside UK).

Falls from heights remains the most common cause of workplace fatalities in the UK, with 39 deaths in 2013-14, which was 29% of total fatalities as reported by the HSE. It is a figure that remains stubbornly high, while there has been progress in reducing numbers, reported by employees, from other causes in the last five years. While the level of reported non-fatal injuries from falls was 2895 in 2013-14, well below the peak of 4684 of 2008-09, still there is much more training and safety education required to continue this downward trend.

Furthermore, fall injuries led to 567,000 working days (as reported by employees) lost in 2013-14, and there were 5952 recorded fall from height injuries from the same grouping.

The major industry for fatalities continues to be construction, including electricians and roofers, with other high risk sectors being agriculture, water supply, manufacturing, transport and storage, administration and support (the last mentioned including landscape gardeners, window cleaners and even social care workers).

In 2013-14 there were 73 convictions for breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, slightly down on the peak figure of 81 in 2012-13, and the average fine was in excess of £8000.00.

Major causes of falls from height include falling through fragile surfaces, being hit by falling objects, operating in dangerous areas, coming into contact with machinery as a result of a fall, use of inadequate work equipment, or misuse of such equipment.

To emphasise the dangers of working at heights, Label Source supply a range of health and safety signs to warn of the inherent risks and dangers, as well as mandatory notices for the use of personal protective equipment, and maintenance labels and tags for use on work equipment.

Chemical spills can have serious, and sometimes devastating, consequences including human health issues, environmental pollution, structural building damage or contamination, and threats to corporate image and reputation.

Emergency procedures should be in place to provide a safe response by trained teams of staff, contractors or emergency services, using appropriate personal protective equipment to tackle any leak or seepage of dangerous substances or hazardous chemicals.

Our range of chemical hazard warning signs can be used to identify the type of risk posed by such chemicals including toxicity, flammability, explosion or corrosion.  Thus, the risks can be assessed from chemical contact with skin or eyes, causing irritation or burns, or from internal injuries caused by inhalation or ingestion. The personal protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, clothing and respirators should be used before tackling any spill, and first aid should be available to treat any contaminated personnel.

Our spill kit signs can be used to provide contact details for spill supervisors, and the emergency services. These cover different types of chemicals; non-aggressive fluids and oil or fuel (on land); oil or fuel on land and water; and aggressive fluids such as acids and alkalis. They cover the types of containment and neutralising agents for dispersal  and disposal. One key task is to prevent chemical release to the atmosphere, water course or to soil. Spill areas can be cordoned off using our barrier tapes to prevent other workers or the general public from entry.

In addition, our dangerous substance storage containment signs can itemise chemicals, waste and any special waste, to allow emergency staff to assess the immediate risks. 

Contaminated land poses a number of safety issues ranging from impact on human and animal health, infection of soil, plants and fauna, and pollution of surface water or groundwater.

These sites of former industrial activity such as steelworks, refineries, mines or factories leaving residues of heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium; or mines and landfill sites producing methane gas; or special sites blighted with asbestos, radioactive substances or explosives.

These site pose dangers to workers, contractors and the general public from exposure to carcinogen and mutagenic elements through breathing or skin contact; from the ingestion of plants or vegetation ; damage to aquatic stock through soil contamination leaching into water courses, as well as other risks from corrosive, explosive or flammable waste; or asphyxiation from gases.

These zones need to be clearly marked to deter entry, and to warn of the hazards and dangers from entry into designated contaminated land sites.