New workplace safety guide from Arco
Arco Safety Signs catalogue helps businesses choose the correct safety signs for the work environment
SAFETY experts Arco have launched a comprehensive Safety Signs catalogue containing details of more than 3,000 signs that meet current BS and potential future EN standards. The new guide will help businesses choose safety signs to warn of remaining risks, or to instruct employees of the measures they must take to stay safe in the workplace.
All Arco signs meet the ISO 7010 standard and new symbols will be phased in when they become available to meet new regulations. Customers buying signs from Arco can be confident that they are buying the most up-to-date signage, which conforms to current and new standards.
The Health & Safety (Safety, Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996 state that it is a legal requirement for all businesses and commercial organizations with public access to buildings, to highlight health and safety risks through the use of suitable signs.
Supporting these regulations is an active British Standard – BS 5499-1:2002 Graphical symbols and signs – which is designed to provide clear guidelines to the use and appearance of safety signs in the UK. The ISO 7010 Graphical symbols – safety colours and safety signs standard was introduced in 2003 to develop consistency between safety signs used throughout Europe. However, it sat alongside the British Standard as a recommended best practice rather than a requirement.
It has now been proposed that ISO 7010 will become ISO EN 7010 meaning that it will become a European Normative, where the standard must be written into UK and EU law after an introductive period. When ISO 7010 becomes an EN standard it is important that workplaces are prepared. It will not be a legal requirement to change existing signs and there will be an introduction period of notice prior to it becoming law, but all new safety signs will have to conform to the new standard.
Arco offer a variety of services to accompany their Safety Signs catalogue, including site survey and installation services. If businesses are unsure of the legal requirements, Arco site survey specialists can provide guidance and ensure that required signs meet the latest legislation and safety practices. A competitive sign-fitting service is also available.
