And no, we aren’t just talking about mandatory signs (though they’re an important part of your signage!)
Chemicals are crazy dangerous. To keep your staff and workplace safe, you’ll need to take great care to ensure that these substances are handled properly.
And that means ensuring your business has appropriate signage.
But what sorts of signs, exactly?
You’ve got hazchem signs, as well as emergency information panels. You’ve also got a roll of dangerous goods labels to place onto goods..
But is that enough to ensure that you’re covered.
As you know, Australian OHS laws are VERY strict. While you may think you’ve got the right signage to cover all of your bases, a single blind spot can undo it all, and net you a hefty fine or make you the target of legal action.
Worst-case scenario, it can also lead to an injury or accident taking place!
Let’s start with the obvious
Hazchem signs
Hazardous chemicals need hazchem signs to warn against them – simple as that.
These particular signs warn workers and visitors that there are hazardous chemicals onsite, as well as the specific dangers they pose.
Of course, it isn’t enough to simply have these signs – according to Australian OHS laws, a sign hanging directly next to storage areas won’t cut it. You’re also required to place hazchem signs at the entrance to your workplace, as well as along the outside boundaries.
Not only that, but you’ll need to make sure you have signs for the right hazards and hazchem classes.
Confused? Consult the safety data sheets for the substances you store – alternatively, our team can help you get to the bottom of it!
Emergency information panels
Hazchem signs aren’t the only type of workplace safety sign you’ll need around hazchem signs – you’ll also need to back them up with emergency information panels.
If hazchem signs are general signs, then EIPs are where you drill down into the details.
In addition to hanging up around storage areas, emergency information panels are also frequently attached to shipments and deliveries.
And since the viewer (read: truck drivers and emergency services) aren’t going to be as familiar with these materials like your team are, EIPs have to compensate. That’s why they’re packed full of information, including:
- Substance name
- Hazchem code
- UN number
- Hazchem class
All of which can help them figure out what to do in the event of a spill!
Dangerous goods labels
Dangerous goods – like hazardous chemicals – need dangerous goods signs and labels to go with them.
That means things like:
- Class diamonds
- GHS labels
- Stickers and adhesive signs for containers and boxes
While your team might be familiar with your stock, you can’t say the same for delivery drivers or your recipient. That’s where dangerous goods signs and labels come in.
Each individual container or barrel should be labelled with an appropriate dangerous goods label, allowing you to identify the contents immediately.
More importantly, it’ll also ensure that people handle them appropriately, with the right amount of care.
Other signs you’ll need
Mandatory signs
Hazardous chemicals often require PPE to protect your team from harm.
And that requires mandatory signs to ensure that your team knows what they have to do or wear while handling chemicals.
- Does your team need to wear gloves while handling containers, just in case?
- What about putting on special footwear when cleaning up spills?
- Need masks to protect against inhaling potentially unhealthy fumes?
If so, you’ll need mandatory signs for each of these essential pieces of PPE and equipment.
Click here to buy mandatory signs online.
Danger signs
Sometimes, you don’t need a sign that says a lot – sometimes, what you need is a sign that immediately tells the person looking at it what they’re dealing with.
Preferably in big, bold text with a short message that’s impossible to ignore.
Specifically, you need a danger sign.
These signs are quick, punchy and immediately communicate the danger posed. Our online sign store features a huge range of signs for all sorts of different hazards.
Do the chemicals you work with:
- Cause burns?
- Affect breathing?
- Corrode?
Whether you want to highlight these risks or simply warn people that they’re approaching a chemical storage area, danger signs are a must.
Click here to buy danger signs online.
Custom signs
You know what workplace safety signs are good at? Communicating important information quickly, using only a handful of words and a single image.
Sometimes however, you need to convey a lot of information at once – more info than a standardised workplace safety sign can communicate.
And that requires a sign with more info – oftentimes, it requires a custom sign.
Our custom safety signs can be made to include all the information you need. When it comes to storing and handling hazardous chemicals specifically, that can mean things like:
- Maps identifying the location of spill kits
- Proper handling procedures
- Your workplace’s emergency policy
- Reporting at your workplace
Each of these things differs between workplaces – as such, they need a custom sign to explain them.
Just tell us what your signs need to say, and we’ll make a sign to match.
Buy workplace safety signs online with Signsmart
At Signsmart, our mission is simple: to keep your workplace – and your team – safe.
And good signage is how we do it.
Sure, it may not look all that impressive. However, signs are a crucial part of the safety equation, and one that you can’t afford to overlook.
Our online sign shop stocks a huge range of emergency safety signs tailored to help you keep your team safe, including hazchem signs, emergency information panels and more.
And for the signs we don’t stock, we can create custom safety signs with industry-leading turnaround time. In some cases, your sign will turn up by the following day, if not sooner.
Can’t find signs for the chemicals you work with or store? Our team are experts in all things hazchem – give us a buzz, and we’ll be more than happy to help!
Otherwise, feel free to take a look through our online sign shop, or shoot us a message for any custom work you need completed.