There is an extensive range of hazard signs available to ensure you are using the correct signage around your workplace. This is simply born out of necessity due to the perceived number of hazards in the workplace. This has increased dramatically in recent years inline with government legislation and safety precautions and measures that are in place. What was once a piece of equipment that was taken for granted is now a hazard or risk that requires a complete set of regulations itself.



In order to comply with these regulations and rules completely, the level of signage required can be high. Importantly, you should refer to an official source for all health and safety guidelines, and this includes the level of signage which you require for any given working environment.

Hazard symbols are symbols that are very easily identifiable and have been designed with this purpose in mind. The use of hazard symbols is often regulated by law and directed by standards organizations. Hazard symbols may appear with different colors, backgrounds, borders and supplemental information in order to signify the type of hazard. Many of the hazard symbols used in circulation today have been tested on various age groups who speak a variety of languages, to ensure that the message carried by hazard signs is clear.

Some commonly identifiable hazard signs include the striking yellow radioactive sign, the skull and cross bones toxic symbol and the set of European orange hazard symbols. These have all become common place and are used to mark hazardous materials or locations. The radiation symbol was originally magenta on a blue background. This was later replaced by a reddish-purple colour on a yellow background. In the United Kingdom, the hazard warning signs are often accompanied with a red triangle surrounding a black exclamation mark - a symbol associated with driving, but instantly recognizable as a hazard warning.

Temporary hazard signs are also commonplace. For example, these can be used to display warning messages when a floor has been mopped, or a spillage has occurred. In this case, the hazard sign would display "Wet Floor" as a slippage warning. The method used to attached the hazard sign is also important. If a permanent or long standing hazard exists, then this should be indicated with a sign that is also fixed permanently. Given the volume of signs that are available, it is very important to select the correct type for your workplace.