The Health and Safety Regulations 1996

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 (the Safety Signs Regulations) implement European Council Directive 92/58/EEC on minimum requirements for the provision of safety signs at work. This guidance is aimed at helping employers meet their responsibilities under these Regulations.

Summary

All of our safety signs comply with the safety colour regulations. This ensures that certain colours adhere to their specific meanings.

The Regulations require employers to use a safety sign where there is a significant risk to health and safety that has not been avoided or controlled by the methods required under other relevant law, provided use of a sign can help reduce the risk. Safety signs are not a substitute for those other methods of controlling risks such as engineering controls and safe systems of work.

They apply to all workplaces and to all activities where people are employed, but exclude signs used in connection with transport or the supply and marketing of dangerous substances, products and equipment.

The Regulations require, where necessary, the use of road traffic signs in workplaces to regulate road traffic.

Fire Safety

These Regulations implement those parts of the Directive dealing with fire safety. Advice on the use of fire safety signs can be obtained from your enforcing authority for fire safety. In general, these Regulations will not require any changes where existing fire safety signs containing symbols comply with BS 5499. New signs are also acceptable if they are similarly chosen to comply with BS 5499.

EN ISO 7010:2020

EN ISO 7010 was introduced in 2003 and revised in 2012. Since then it has been accepted into EU Law and provides a standardised, easy to understand safety message - wherever you are and whatever language you use!

Why EN ISO 7010

The main goal of the standard is to introduce a globally recognised range of safety pictograms. Although most will be similar and familiar, there are some new introductions

Where does EN ISO 7010 apply?

The regulation is applicable in all workplaces and locations where users need to be informed about safety matters - emergency exits and hazardous area signs are excellent examples of standard use signs

What does FirstAid4Less offer?

All safety signs offered by FirstAid4Less are EN ISO 7010:2020 compliant. We ensure that all signs are constructed to the highest quality. Where possible we will always offer our signs in both Rigid Plastic and Self-adhesive flexible vinyl.

Martyn’s Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also refered to as 'Martyn's Law' will mandate premises or events with public capacities over 200 to consider the risk of a terrorist attack and have appropriate measures in place to be prepared and respond, with a view to mitigating physical harm. Part of this may include the consideration of first aid supplies to treat major injuries such as catastrophic bleeding, which are strongly recommended in official counter-terrorism advice.

Traumatic injuries such as major bleeds can result in death in minutes, but having provisions to stop severe bleeding readily available, and clearly signposted and easy to access can be vital in keeping casualties alive until medical professionals are able to help. As such, official guidance states that first aid supplies must be visible and accessible to all, and that everyone on site should be aware of the location of provisions.