TOOLBOX TALK/SAFETY TALK

SAFETY SIGNS

Do you know how to keep yourself safe by obeying safety signs?

Safety signs help you to stay safe. When you see the signs make sure you abide by them.

 If you must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), the sign will show you what equipment to
wear (e.g. goggles, gloves, hard hat, respirator etc.);
 If something could start a fire by smoking, the sign will show you that you’re not allowed to smoke
in that area;
 If you need to put out a small fire, the sign will show you where the fire equipment (such as the fire
extinguisher) the is stored;
 If you need to put a plaster on your cut finger, the sign will show you where the first aid kit is; and
 If you’re going into a dangerous area, the sign will show that you’re entering a dangerous area.

Example
Jack liked to smoke in the yard while he took his tea break. His employer decided to store gas bottles in a
cage in that area. When Jack arrived at his favourite smoking spot, he saw five safety signs. Three signs
warned against smoking, one against lighting a match or lighter, two signs warning of an explosion and a
fire. When Jack saw this, he went to the designated smoking area instead.

What’s at stake?
If you disobey safety signs you could cause a terrible accident or be harmed yourself. Your company
provides you with an income – if you do anything that could damage it, you might not have a job anymore.
If you don’t protect yourself from harm, you might not be able to work anymore. Either way accidents
cause injuries, illness, damage and loss.

What’s the danger?

 Your company may have to close down and you and your co-workers would lose your jobs;
 Your company may not be able to continue production for a long time. You and your co-workers
would lose your job or be put on short time until the damage has been repaired;
 You and your co-workers could be killed – imagine how devastated your family and friends would
be; and
 You and your co-workers could be badly hurt – you could be scarred for life or even disabled.

How to protect yourself

Here are six things you should know:
 Always obey the safety signs – there’s no excuse for negligence or disobedience;
 If you think an area in your workplace needs safety signs, tell your employer;
 Don’t enter an area or start work unless you’re wearing your PPE;
 Always make sure you know where to find fire and first aid equipment;
 Never do anything that’s prohibited. You could cause a disaster; and
 When you see warning signs, make sure you don’t do anything that could harm you.

Final word
Think about your future and the future of your company. You could lose all of this if you don’t obey the
safety signs.