Construction sites are often areas where there are lots of potential hazards and dangers. It comes as no surprise that having adequate signage is required at all times. However, if you've never spent a lot of time on a construction site, or you're new to the profession, you may be wondering what signage is required on a construction site? And, why might it be necessary to have these signs visible at all times? Take a look here.
Why Signage Is Important?
Signage is important for several reasons. As construction sites tend to be dangerous environments, there must be obvious signs that help employees and visitors to avoid these dangers. Australian health and safety laws require that all construction sites have clear signage always visible that warns all people on or near the vicinity of all hazardous activities that are taking place.
These essential safety signs are also pivotal in ensuring that everyone on site knows the safety rules and can help avoid any fines for non-compliance with these rules.
It may also come as no surprise that the use of mandatory signage around a construction site has also helped to reduce the number of workplace-related injuries and deaths. While the construction industry itself only makes up a small portion of the overall workforce, the percentage of injuries and deaths is comparatively high, coming in at the 5th highest industry overall for workplace injury claims. Proper signage warning of hazards, dangers, moving vehicles and high traffic areas has helped to reduce this in recent years.
What signage is required?
Builders signs
A builder’s sign is a large sign that is required to be erected in a position that is visible from the outside of the construction site. The sign is required to have the following information visible on it:
Mandatory signs
Mandatory signs are signs that indicate when an action or instruction must be carried out. These signs usually consist of a blue circle with a white picture within it, as well as a set of instructions.
Danger signs
Danger signs warn all employees and visitors to the site of any potentially hazardous conditions that can be life-threatening. The signs will include a large red oval against a black background with the word 'DANGER' within the oval. The sign is also required to give further information of the danger it is identifying.
Safety signs
Safety signs are used to identify any dangerous conditions that, while not necessarily life-threatening, are still a hazard to your health. These signs can be identified by their bright yellow background, with further details on the lower half of the sign.
Contact us
If you're new to a construction site or you're just visiting for business, it pays to know what the signs mean around you. Due to the potentially hazardous construction environment, having plenty of signage around the site is so important. And knowing what the signs mean could be the difference between staying safe or getting injured. If you need new signage for an upcoming construction project or another project of any kind, we can help. Get in touch today, and our professional team will be able to see to all your signage needs.