Why Warning Signage is Critically Important

Some people think the use of safety and warning signage, in public spaces, has become overzealous. In our latest blog post we look at warning signage and why it is critically important.

Warning Signage and Safety Signage - Key Differences

The primary function of any form of signage is communication. A wide range of signs are used to visually communicate information to specific audiences. Road signage, for example, is primarily intended for road users, conveying crucial navigational information along with warnings and speed restrictions.

Businesses and others use a wide variety of signage to advertise their brands, products and services. Well designed, eye-catching signs create a strong, favourable impression, contributing to positive brand recognition.

Importantly, as previously noted, signs are widely used for the purposes of safety and compliance. Signs are commonly used to indicate potential hazards and ensure people are aware of compliance requirements.

Safety signage is used to communicate a wide range of safety related messages. These message might be general safety information, important safety instructions, directions, mandatory actions, prohibitions, emergency guidance and safe practices. Safety signage can include warnings of hazards and risks but importantly, safety signs are also used to provide useful guidance and instructions.

Examples of safety signage include:

• Requirements for mandatory safety apparel e.g. “Wear Eye Protection” and “Head Protection Must be Worn”.
• Prohibition signs such as “No Smoking”, “Keep Out” and “Children Must Not Play on This Site”.
• Emergency information signage including “Fire Exit”, “Fire Assembly Point” and “First Aid Kit Here”.

Warning signage is a form of safety signage that specifically warns of potential hazards. This form of signage alerts people to hazards that can potentially cause harm if the warning is not heeded. Warning signage communication is focused on raising the awareness of risks and alerting people to what they might encounter.

Examples of warning signage include:

• Dangers such as: “Danger - Demolition Work in Progress” or “Hazardous Area”.
• Caution messages such as: “Caution: Slippery Surface”, “Caution: Mind the Step” or “Caution: Uneven Surface”.
• Warning messages such as: “Warning: Deep Water”, “Warning: Strong Tides” or “Warning: Lookout for Overhead Loads”.
• Alert messages such as: “Crime Reduction Area”, “CCTV in Operation” and “No Fly Tipping”.

History of Warning Signage

Warning signage is not new. One of the most well known examples of early warning signage comes from ancient Jerusalem in the 1st century BCE. A limestone tablet warned non-Jews not to enter the sacred inner circle of the Jewish Temple. Written in Greek, the sign warned that any foreigner entering within the barrier and enclosure around the temple, who is then caught, will only have themselves to blame for their subsequent death. This is considered one of the earliest examples of warning signage with specific legal and life-threatening consequence, if unheeded.

A number of “Beware of the Dog” (“Cave Canem”) warning signs, in mosaic, have been found in Pompeii and other Roman Villas. And Egyptian Pharaohs had warning curses inscribed on tombs to deter any would-be grave robbers.

In Medieval Europe warning signage was used to alert people to the risk of plague. Properties infected with the Black Death were marked with red crosses or the words “Lord Have Mercy”, to alert people to keep away. And a yellow ensign or flag was used by ships to warn that the vessel is under quarantine and might be carrying contagious disease.

Symbolic warning signs were widely adopted during the industrialisation period. Skulls and crossed bones were used to indicate dangerous machinery or explosives as these symbols could be readily understood by everyone.

The 19th and early 20th centuries saw many warnings signs gaining some degree of standardisation. From around 1830 “Danger” signs were used by railways and the adoption of the skull and crossbones to indicate poison was adopted from the 1920s.

Common UK Warning Signs

The most commonly seen warning signs in the UK include triangular, yellow hazard warnings along with triangular road signs with a red border.

Vivid yellow, triangular warning signs are used to alert people to wet floors, high voltage, construction site dangers and biological hazards, along with many other potential risks. Signs sometimes simply present an exclamation mark to signify a potential danger. This is intended to tell people to be cautious or take precautions.

Common red triangular roadside warning signs alert drivers to hazards including pedestrian crossings, uneven road surfaces, cross roads, schools and elderly pedestrians in the area.

Some commonly encountered warning signs used in domestic environments include:

• “Beware of the Dog” - alerting visitors to the presence of what might be a boisterous dog.
• “CCTV in operation” - letting people know they may be recorded by CCTV.
• “Electric Fence” - typically used by farms to warn people that an electric boundary fence is in operation.
• “Baby on Board” - displayed in cars to warn others that a youngster is in the vehicle.
• “No Cold Callers” - used to warn door-to-door sales people and others they are not welcome.

Domestic Warning Signs - Legal Requirements

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 define the legal requirements for displaying warning signage in workplaces. These regulations aim to ensure that safety signage effectively communicates warnings of hazards, enabling workers and visitors to take precautions and remain safe. Detailed guidance on regulations is provided by the Health and Safety Executive. 

In the UK it is a legal requirement to display CCTV warning signs if cameras are being used in certain circumstances. If, for example, a CCTV camera or doorbell camera only records activity that’s entirely within the boundaries of a private property then there is no need to display CCTV warning signs. But, if cameras record activity outside the property perimeter then the householder is subject to the UK GDPR along with the Data Protection act 2018 making it mandatory to clearly display CCTV warning signage. A typical CCTV warning sign might say: “CCTV in Operation for Crime Prevention”. And visitors must also be warned if a doorbell camera records audio.

Another highly relevant circumstance in which warning signage is mandatory is when anti climb perimeter protection is used. If anti climb paint, anti climb spikes or another form of anti climb barrier are installed the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 makes it essential to display appropriate warning signage in order to comply with the requirement to take “reasonable care” not to harm anyone, including trespassers. The legal requirements for these warning signs are that they should be prominently located and clearly visible at regular intervals around the perimeter, where the anti climb prevention devices are installed.

Importance of Warning Signage

While it is obviously impossible to objectively quantify the number of accidents and injuries that don’t occur, due to the hazard warnings provided by signage, there is an abundance of compelling evidence of their effectiveness. Data compiled by the HSE has shown that signage contributes to a reduction in workplace injuries of around 20-30% in higher risk sectors including construction and manufacturing. And clear warning signage can prevent up to as many as 50% of accidents caused by human error and lack of awareness.

It is estimated that warning signage averts hundreds of thousands of workplace injuries, in the UK, every year. Road signage prevents many thousands of potentially serious accidents occurring and countless domestic injuries are averted by warning signs.

There are also significant legal and financial benefits. Non compliance with mandatory safety signage standards can result in fines up to around £14,000, per violation. And businesses that take care to present fully compliant signage report 50% fewer legal disputes related to workplace accidents.

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