Health and Safety Sign Standards

Continued labour migration across the world means there are more people working in countries where they do not necessarily speak the native language fluently.

In terms of health and safety, this creates a problem, especially when it comes to ensuring everyone in a workplace has all the information, they need to stay safe. It means it is now more important than ever to ensure that businesses provide consistent messaging around hazards, dangers, and other safety information. A lack of standardisation can lead to confusion and result in a higher risk of accidents.

At Arco, our range of knowledge and expertise means we can help you ensure your business understands and complies with the latest British and European health and safety signage requirements, including BS EN ISO 7010:2020, specific standards for road and traffic signs, tactile and braille signs, and signs relating to the use of CCTV.

The BS EN ISO 7010:2020 standardises the look and meaning of safety signs in all locations where safety issues relating to people need to be addressed. This standard applies to workplaces in the UK and internationally to ensure clarity and consistency regardless of language, culture or setting.

All signs provided by Arco comply to these signage regulations to ensure safety in the workplace. If a symbol has not yet been updated, then the previous BS 5499 standard will be used until such a time as a replacement ISO symbol becomes available.

Health and safety guidance recommend that the two different types of signage, BS 5499 and BS ISO EN 7010 should not be mixed within the same workplace. When looking to purchase new signage, try to ensure they meet with the newer EN ISO 7010 to help aid consistency.

In July 2013, it became law that all manufacturers of permanent road signs be accredited to the BS EN 12899-1:2007 standard and comply with the requirements and can supply permanent road signs legally throughout the UK.

Our UKCA/CE marked permanent road signs conform to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 and BS EN 12899-1:2007. All our permanent road signs are manufactured on aluminium composite panel, available with and without channelling on the reverse and have a Class Reference 2 (RA2) reflective facing.

On 1st October 2004, the Government implemented Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which applies to any person, organisation or entity concerned with the UK provision of services to the public or a section of the public. This means that physical adaptions, such as the provision of auxiliary aids like Braille and embossed signs will now be required and service providers should plan for this.

Taktyle is the leading brand of braille signs, making them the preferred choice wherever DDA compliant signs are specified. Taktyle signs started to operate in 1994 and have worked with the Royal National Institute for the Blind Centre for Accessible Environments, Sensory Advisory Council, schools for the visually impaired, resource centres and homes for the elderly. The culmination of this has been the production of a 'definitive design' to meet the demands for these sectors.

Since 1st March 2000, businesses operating a CCTV system must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998. This means that individuals can exercise their rights under the act and appropriately sized signs should be placed in and around areas where CCTV cameras are to be located.

The signs should identify the owner/operator of the system and the purpose for which the data may be used. If correct signs are not used, businesses will be in breach of the law and a counter claim may be launched when CCTV evidence is used in a prosecution.

On 23 January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, under article 24) have been introduced. These regulations make it a requirement in law for responsible persons of high-rise blocks of flats to provide information to Fire and Rescue Services to assist them to plan, and if needed, provide an effective operational response.

In addition, building owners or managers (responsible persons) must install wayfinding signage visible in low light or smoky conditions that identifies flat and floor numbers in the stairwells or relevant buildings.

View our range of over 7,000 sign designs, plus custom signs to meet your business needs.