Safety Signs at a Place of Work 2010 - Health and Safety Authority

Guide to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)
Regulation 158: Interpretation for Chapter 1 as amended by the Safety,
Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)(Amendment)
Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 732 of 2007)
158. In this Chapter:
“acoustic signal” means a coded sound signal which is released and transmitted by a
device designed for that purpose, without the use of a human or artificial voice;
“emergency escape or first-aid sign” means a sign giving information on emergency exits
or first-aid or rescue facilities;
“hand signal” means a movement, position, or both, of the arm, hands, or both, in coded form,
for guiding persons who are carrying out manoeuvres which constitute a hazard or danger
for persons at work;
“illuminated sign” means a sign produced by a device made of transparent or translucent
materials which are illuminated from the inside or the rear in such a way as to give the
appearance of a luminous surface;
“information sign” means a sign providing information other than that referred to in
prohibition, warning, mandatory or emergency escape or first-aid signs;
“mandatory sign” means a sign requiring specific behaviour;
“prohibition sign” means a sign prohibiting behaviour likely to incur or cause danger;
“safety colour” means a colour to which a specific meaning is assigned;
“safety or health signs” means signs referring to a specific object, activity or situation and
providing information or instructions about safety, health, or both, at work by means of a
signboard, a colour, an illuminated sign, an acoustic signal, a verbal communication or
a hand signal;
“supplementary signboard” means a signboard used together with one of the signs covered by
the definition of “signboard” and which gives supplementary information, including,
where appropriate, information in writing;
“signboard” means a sign which provides specific information or instructions by a
combination of a geometric shape, colours and a symbol or pictogram, without written
words, which is rendered visible by lighting of sufficient intensity;
“symbol or pictogram” means a figure which describes a situation or requires specific
behaviour and which is used on a signboard or illuminated surface;
“verbal communication” means a predetermined spoken message communicated by a human
or artificial voice;
“warning sign” means a sign giving warning of a hazard or risk.
The term “sign” includes signboards and acoustic, verbal or hand signals. Signboards are signs that use
a combination of shape, colour and a symbol or pictogram. Signboards should not contain text as the
symbols or pictograms on a signboard are intended to be understood, independently of the literacy or
language ability of the worker viewing it.
Text may be included on a supplementary signboard provided that it does not adversely affect the
effectiveness of the safety signboard.
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