When it comes to hazardous materials, you need to meet strict safety requirements including safety equipment, training, policies… and of course, signage.
Hazchem signs are only one part of the safety equation – just as important are emergency information panels (EIPs).
Emergency information signs and panels are a crucial part in chemical and fuel safety. And just like your other safety and OHS obligations, there are a surprising number of requirements that your EIP signage needs to adhere to.
For example: did you know that there’s a difference between storage EIP and transport EIP signage?
Emergency information panels, explained
Like the name suggests, emergency information panels – what else? – communicate emergency information. Specifically, they concisely communicate information about the hazardous chemicals you work with, as well as the dangers they represent.
What you might not know is that there are two different types of EIP, both of which are essential in keeping your workplace and workers safe.
Truth be told, there isn’t all that much in the way of major differences between the two types of sign – they share the same purpose and communicate the same information, after all!
The main difference between transport and storage EIP signs is that they’re (obviously) hung up in different areas. However, that isn’t the only way in which the two types of sign differ…
What are storage EIP signs?
Do you have a dedicated shed or area of your warehouse set aside for hazardous chemicals? If so, you’ll need to plaster the area in storage EIP signs.
Placed near areas where hazardous chemicals are stored, storage EIP signs help workers and visitors identify areas where hazardous substances are being stored.
Some of the information conveyed by storage EIP signs can include substance name and UN number, which help identify the substance.
This will be accompanied by an internationally-recognised hazchem diamond that immediately communicates the type of hazard (for example, toxic gases).
Finally, storage EIP signs usually include a hazchem reference number. This is a code made up of a number between 1-4 and two letters. Each digit or letter signifies a different piece of information:
- Number – the appropriate fire suppression method
- First letter – flammability, PPE requirements and cleaning method
- Second letter – whether or not you should evacuate
What are transport EIP signs?
Put yourself in the shoes of a delivery driver or courier. You deliver a variety of different cargo throughout the typical month – some of which may include dangerous or hazardous substances.
Simply put, you won’t always know for sure what’s safe and what isn’t!
The solution? Transport emergency information panels.
Transport EIPs differ from storage EIP signs, in that they provide additional information to account for the fact that drivers won’t always know what they’re handling and may not have access to resources like a warehouse worker might.
Most transport EIP signs also feature an additional field dedicated to emergency contacts.
In most cases this refers to 000. You’d think that this is fairly self-explanatory, but there are a surprising number of hazardous substances that don’t require emergency services to attend, hence the need for this field.
Next to this field is one dedicated towards specialist advice for rarer substances.
This normally takes the form of a manufacturer’s number for substance-specific advice.
How emergency information panels from Signsmart can help
Make no mistake, transport and storage emergency information signs are an important part of hazchem safety – one that Signsmart can help with!
In addition to supplying high-quality EIPs, the Signsmart team also…
Offer fast, Australia-wide delivery
When it comes to matters of safety signage, you don’t want to be left waiting – when hazchem and EIP signage is needed and deadlines tight, speed is crucial!
Luckily, that’s exactly what Signsmart offers, thanks to our warehouse full of hazchem signs for all common substances and materials.
We’re proud of our industry-leading turnaround. Wherever you are in the country, we’ll get hazchem and EIP signs to you, fast – in many cases, by the same day.
Help you comply with Australian standards
Each of our signs is designed to comply with Australian standards, using appropriate iconography, colours, material and sizing.
What’s more, we can also help you determine whether you need signs at all, and what type!
Just tell us what substances you work with – our helpful team will be more than happy to look up what signs said substance requires, consulting the relevant standards and laws to ensure your signage is 100% compliant.
Custom signage
Do you work with something that’s a bit rarer? Can’t find what you need in our catalogue? If so, custom safety signage might be just what you need!
Our team offer blank EIP templates – you provide us with the information, and we’ll make a sign to match.
We can even go completely custom, creating signs with whatever message or iconography you want, including:
- Detailed instruction
- Visual guides
- Maps with hazchem kits on your site
It’s completely up to you!
Call today for smarter hazchem and emergency information panel signs
Whether your entire business model is built around transporting and storing hazardous substances or you simply have a large shed full of potent cleaning chemicals, hazchem safety is something you’ll need to think about.
And that means kitting your vehicles and storage areas out in transport and storage EIP signs.
If you need signage fast, Signsmart is the team to call. With our nation-wide delivery and unbeatable turnaround, we ensure that you’re always in compliance with your OHS requirements.
Click here to explore our online sign shop.
Need something custom? Give us a call on (03) 9687 3050, or contact us online about your signage needs.
