15 Top Irish Health and Safety Signs

All businesses in Ireland are governed by Health and Safety laws aimed at preventing accidents and injuries in the workplace. On this basis, every business in Ireland needs health and safety signage, yet it is often one of the most overlooked items when kitting out a premises. As every business is different, their needs are often completely unique too. So, without undertaking a full risk analysis or without a complete site survey (we do not recommend ignoring either of these) – we have compiled a list of the top 15 Health and Safety Signs requested across all sectors by our clients here in Ireland.

Before reading, what do you think make the top 5???

15. Vehicle Access Only

There were quite a few signs tied for this spot, but this one pipped it in terms of sales to the Irish market over the last year through the Signs Direct order system. This sign is extremely important in car parks, loading bays and other areas where there may be heavy vehicular traffic or where it is advisable for pedestrians to use an alternative route.

14. Assembly Point

In case of an emergency it is very important to have emergency evacuation plans with designated assembly points. Assembly Point signs are important for making sure everyone is accounted for in the case of an emergency.

13. Slippery Floor

One of the main reasons for insurance claims from the public are from slips and trips. Help to avoid accidents such as these by installing this signage in a prominent location where it is clearly visible to alleviate these accidents. The Caution Floor Slippery When Wet sign can be used all year round, even when the floors are dry to make people aware that it can be a potentially slippery surface.

12. Wear Dust Masks

If your premises has any likelihood of producing or is susceptible to dust – then it is advisable to provide and ensure the proper use of dust masks. Having this sign serves as an important reminder of the importance of these things. At the end of the day, nobody wants to end up with avoidable respiratory conditions!

11. CCTV In Operation

There is a large variety of CCTV signage on our website, but as a category itself they combine to form one of the mainstays of the Signs Direct website. This CCTV In Operation version is the most popular sold throughout Ireland – probably because it does exactly what it says on the tin!

10. Clean As You Go

And we’re into the top ten! I am not sure about you, but one of my main bugbears is when people do not clean up after themselves, right! I personally have found this sign helpful in the kitchen and toilet areas of the offices and warehouse, though we have sold for many other locations as well such as locker rooms and communal areas.

9. Caution: Hot

Water Boilers, Coffee Machines, Cookers, Stoves… The list of potential burn hazards is endless, yet hundreds of people every year fall victim to burns and scalds. Avoid this potential hazard (and costly legal bills) and install one of these signs, available in sticker format also for those hard-to-reach locations.

8. Cars Park At Owners Risk

This one was a little bit of a surprise to me, just how often this sign is ordered through Signs Direct. Then again, given how most people travel to work by car I possibly should not have been so surprised! Again, we have a number of variations of this sign, this one being the most commonly ordered.

7. Mind The Step

Hidden steps can be a very surprising hazard, no less for the person who encounters them unawares! Sore toes might be the least of your worries as these can often lead to lower back injuries and injuries associated with trips or falls. Make sure everyone is aware is this potential hazard with a well placed Caution: Mind The Step safety sign.

6. No Smoking

The smoking ban in Ireland prohibits smoking in the workplace. Apart from the legal side of the No Smoking signs, there are plenty of other instances where these signs are a necessity, like near flammable objects or liquids, the there might be an explosive atmosphere (eg due to fumes at petrol pumps, etc). We have a large selection of No Smoking safety signage, but this one is by far the most popular and makes it in at number 6!

5. Lift Correctly

As anyone who has undertaken a manual handling course (and we recommend everyone does) – the Lift Correctly safety sign beats quite a few others that we expected to make the top 5, but is hugely important nonetheless. Health and Safety experts across Ireland are thankful for this one, as it forms an important part of most courses and talks.

4. Caution: Stairs

Trips and Slip hazards feature heavily on this list, and it is completed with this little gem. I don’t know if you are as clumsy as me (I trip going up steps, let alone coming down them), so if you know anyone like me a sign like this is good to have on your premises. The Caution: Stairs safety signage can often help, especially where hidden or unexpected steps are in place.

3. Fire Extinguisher

Safety is key, and knowing where the safety equipment is stored can mean the difference between life or death in an emergency situation. This sign is not a surprise as fire extinguishers are such an important safety feature. Knowing where they are and having correct signage displayed is paramount, if you do not have this in your work or office, you need one!

2. First Aid

Again, it is no surprise that this sign comes in near the top. First Aid stations and First Aid kits are such an important aspect of commercial and business life. They get used frequently, from minor plasters to covering more serious accidents with bandages, eye washes, burn dressing and more. In health and safety terms, every place has got to have at least one, and they need to be displayed in an easy to find location. These signs are practical and form an important part of remaining compliant.

1. Fire Exit

It comes then, as no surprise to us, that we find ourselves with the humble Fire Exit sign at number 1. Hands-down this is the one sign that is ordered more than any other health and safety sign, in fact, it is ordered more than 3 times more often than the next most common sign (which makes sense when you think an office might have one first aid station yet have ten exit routes!

So, there you have it, the top signs, the main players in the safety signage game. We hope you have found this informative and please check back again for more informative posts from our blog.