Safety signage & Site safety board

Safety Signs should be used to inform, advise, instruct, warn of danger and improve
safety in the workplace. Most of the time people ignore these safety signs because of
they doesn’t knows why they are posted for. It is therefore necessary to know the signs
which can save life. Signs incorporate certain colours which have specific meanings as
follows:m
There are Five types of signs

1. Prohibition Signs:
The sign which prohibit from doing certain actions in the area where the sign is posted. It is red circular
band and crossbar on white background colour, the symbol shall be black and placed centrally on the
background.
2. Mandatory Signs:
The mandatory sign which are to be followed compulsory. They are the symbol or text shall be white and
placed centrally on the blue background.
3. Warning/caution signs:
These signs essentially give a warning of potential danger to the passersby. It is a black colour triangle band
on yellow background and the symbol or text shall be black.
4. Safe condition signs:
The sign which show the direction and location of Emergency Exit, Fire escape, Emergency shower, Eye
wash etc. They are the symbol / text in white colour on green background. The shape of the sign shall be
square as necessary to accommodate the symbol/ text.
5. Fire Equipment signs:
The sign which indicate the location of fire extinguisher, fire bucket, Fire alarm, Fire hose reel etc. These
symbol/ text shall be white on red background colour and the shape of the sign shall be oblong or square as
necessary to accommodate the text/ symbol.

“Safety signs don’t prevent accidents – Safe people and safe systems do.”
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Article 14 of the Ministerial Order No. (32) year 1982 states that…………..
Each employer shall display in a prominent and obvious place in the workplace clear detailed
instructions for prevention of fire, protection of employees from the dangers they may be subject
to while performing their duties, ways of protection and methods of preventing accidents. The
instructions shall be in Arabic and in a language understood by employees. The employer shall
display warning signs near places of danger.

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Chemical Safety.
Various type of chemicals are being used widely in construction industry on day to day basis.
If these chemicals are not handled properly they can result in to very serious & long term
effects on the users and environment. it can also lead to legal consequences for the company.

Following precautions are needed to be taken while handling chemicals.

o Check the label of the container and understand how to use it properly. If in doubt,
ask the supervisor about correct method of use.
o Always use the basic PPE such as gloves, mask, protective clothing, & face shield etc.
before opening any chemical container.
o Read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) before using any chemical so as to find
out recommended PPE, First Aid Measures, Fire Fighting Measures, & Accidental
Spillage Control Measures.
o Check out for the legal regulations for disposal and provide for the same in order to
avoid improper disposal of empty containers.
o Crush the containers before disposing so that nobody can reuse the container for
other purposes & get exposed to harmful effects.
o Do not store the chemicals in containers other than its own as it it can lead to
accidental consumption and/or other accidents. e.g. thinner used to dilute paint or glue
is often colorless and can be mistaken with water if stored in a water bottle.
o Remember that chemicals can cause irreversible damage to your body and money can
not buy your organs back for you again.
o As the ill effect of chemicals on body is seldom noticeable instantly, it is always wise
to use all the recommended PPE and remain safe.
o Know the symbols used on the containers, to indicate properties of the particular
chemical such as flammable, harmful, toxic, oxidizing, explosive, radioactive etc.
o Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using the chemicals.
o Wash your hands and other exposed body parts thoroughly after using chemicals.
o Use only recommended cleaning agents. e.g. cleaning glue from hands with thinner is a
wrong practice as thinner penetrates through skin and is harmful to the body.
o As far as possible, use harmless chemicals as substitute and eliminate the risk of
exposure to dangerous chemicals.
o Provide proper ventilation while working in enclosed areas.
o Keep the protective clothing & other PPE clean. Wash protective clothing from time to
time to avoid exposure.

Fire Prevention.
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Fire has a tremendous potential to cause severe damages to human life & property. It is
therefore necessary to do all that is possible, to prevent fire accidents taking place. It
takes a very little effort to prevent fires at your homes & work places.

Following precautions can be taken to prevent fire.

o Do not hang clothing, etc. over or near heat producing equipments.

o Do not let paper, oily rags, empty containers of flammable material etc. to accumulate.

o Do not smoke in prohibited areas.

o Store all the flammable material in properly enclosed & air-conditioned areas only.

o Dispose containers of flammable liquids properly.

o Use flammable liquids at safe distance (20feet) from the sources of ignition.

o Use proper, sealed containers for flammable liquids, not open tins or buckets.

o Before starting any hot work, ensure there is no flammable material nearby.

o Protect the expansion joints from sources of sparks.

o All heat producing equipment such as halogen lamps should be kept on non combustible
& away from flammable materials.

o Do not overload electric sockets. One socket, one plug.

o Do not use faulty electrical equipment or wires.

o After completing hot work, ensure that smoldering remains are not left behind.

o Do not forget to keep fire extinguishers near hot work area or where flammable
liquids are being used.

Prevention is Always Better than Cure.