Illuminated signs for accident prevention: your guarantee of safety at work

Accident prevention signs, also known as safety signs, as mentioned in our blog, are an essential element in any work environment committed to protecting the health and safety of its employees. These signs provide clear visual signals and important instructions to prevent accidents and hazards in the workplace.

Accident prevention sign regulations and standards

Accident prevention signs are regulated by specific regulations and standards that vary from country to country. In many cases, international organizations such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) or national workplace safety authorities provide guidelines. These regulations set requirements for the design, placement and use of safety signs to ensure maximum effectiveness in communicating hazards and preventive measures.

Legislative Decree 81/2008 establishes the obligations of employers to guarantee the safety and health of workers when carrying out work activities. In particular, Article 17 of the Decree imposes the obligation to use safety signs to communicate the risks present in the workplace and to provide instructions on the conduct to be adopted to avoid them.

However, the Ministerial Decree of 10 March 1998 defines the technical characteristics of the safety signs to be used in the workplace. This Decree establishes the colours, symbols and sizes of the safety signs, thus ensuring uniformity and clarity at national level.

According to these regulations, accident prevention signs must be clear, visible and strategically placed at critical points in the work environment, such as dangerous machinery, loading and unloading areas and escape routes.

Adapting to Italian legislation on accident prevention signs is essential to guarantee a safe working environment that complies with the law, thus reducing the risk of accidents and injuries at work.

Purpose and meaning of accident prevention signs

The main purpose of accident prevention signs is to alert workers to hazards present in the work environment and to guide them on how to avoid such hazards. These signs are key to improving workers' awareness of potential hazards and promoting safe behavior in the workplace. Their importance is irreplaceable as they contribute significantly to reducing the risk of work-related accidents and injuries.

Types of signs in accident prevention signs

Accident prevention signs can be divided into different categories, including:

• warning signals,
• rescue signals,
• prohibition signs,
• mandatory/regulatory signals
• fire signs.

Each of these categories provides specific indications for preventing risks and ensuring safety in the workplace.

Warning signs

These signs are designed to alert workers to potential hazards in the work environment. Typically yellow or orange in color, they are easily recognizable and serve to alert workers to imminent danger. Their triangular shape maximizes visibility and attention. Examples of warning signs include those that indicate the presence of hazardous chemicals, slippery surfaces, or moving equipment.

Rescue signals

These signs provide information about escape routes, the location of first aid equipment, and other life-saving equipment. These signs are usually green in color and are easily recognizable and serve to guide workers to emergency exits and first aid equipment. They are often square or rectangular in shape for ease of recognition. Examples of life-saving signs include those that indicate emergency exits, assembly points, and fire extinguishers.

Prohibition signs

These signs indicate what is prohibited or forbidden in a work environment. These signs are usually red in color and are easy to recognize and serve to indicate behaviors or activities that should be avoided. Their shape is round to emphasize the prohibition. Examples of prohibition signs include those that prohibit entry into certain areas, the use of certain equipment, or entry without personal protective equipment.

Mandatory / regulatory characters

These signs provide instructions on the behavior to be followed or the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Usually blue in color, these signs are easily recognizable and serve to indicate mandatory actions or measures to be taken. They are circular in shape to emphasize the obligation. Examples of mandatory signs include those indicating the use of helmets, gloves, or safety glasses, as well as information on safe behavior.

Fire signs

These signs indicate the location of firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, nozzles and fire escapes. These signs are usually red in color and are easily recognizable and serve to guide workers to vital firefighting tools. They are often square in shape to emphasize the importance of the firefighting equipment. Examples of fire signs include those that indicate the location of fire extinguishers, fire hydrants and fire escape routes.

The importance of horizontal accident prevention signs

Among the various types of markings, horizontal markings play an extremely important role. These markings, which include pedestrian crossings, dividing lines and symbols, and floor markings, help to delineate safe routes, work zones, escape routes, and more. However, horizontal accident prevention markings, which are subject to constant traffic and wear, require regular maintenance to ensure their visibility and effectiveness over time.

Our innovative solution: illuminated safety signs

To meet the challenges of traditional accident prevention signs, we offer a cutting-edge solution: illuminated safety signs. Using low-energy lamps, this technology projects symbols, pedestrian crossings and paths in a clear and visible way, improving the delineation of company routes and promoting safety in the workplace.

Advantages of our illuminated signs

• Resistance to extreme temperatures: Our robust and reliable illuminated signs maintain their effectiveness even in extreme temperature conditions.
• Visibility in any environment: Ensures optimal visibility even in poorly lit or dusty environments.
• Easy relocation and modularity: The flexibility of illuminated signs allows for quick adaptation to changing business needs.
• No maintenance required: Does not require costly maintenance compared to traditional signs.

Our illuminated safety signs represent an innovative and reliable solution to increase safety at work. Investing in this technology not only protects employees, but also offers an effective and long-term solution for visually communicating risks and preventive measures.

Discover the full range of products available here and create a quote.