Demolition –
The action of completely destroying a building, in order to use the land for something else.
In any construction project, site safety is incredibly important. It goes without saying that carry out demolition services can potentially be an extremely dangerous place to work, with staff and stakeholders being exposed to many potential hazards. There are many mitigations in place to protect these persons and these include legislation, guidance, safe working procedures, specific work instructions (risk assessments, method statements, inductions, pre-works briefings etc), training and instruction, supervision, audit and inspection. In addition to the above, another health and safety precaution that must be adhered to is the visibility of site safety signs.
What Are Demolition Site Signs?
Demolition site signs are a health and safety precaution, and they are there to provide a clear safety message that MUST be visible to all workers, site visitors and members of the public.
What Do They Look Like?
Each site sign is completely different, with its own message or restriction. Essentially, a demolition site sign provides a universal language as a form of communication to be understood by everyone.
What Are The Most Common Demolition Site Signs?
Warning
What does it look like?
You are looking for a yellow triangle, with a black border.
What are they present for?
Warning signs are placed in clear visibility to warn you of many potential dangers. It could be asbestos related land, overhead cables, high voltage and CCTV operation.
Prohibition
What does it look like?
A prohibition sign is on a white background with a solid red circle with a red line through.
What are they present for?
This sign is to signify that there is a risk to health and safety from particular behaviour or actions, and to prevent the behaviour from occurring. Whether this be human access, vehicle access, smoking, mobile phone use etc.
Mandatory
What does it look like?
A mandatory sign will always be a blue circle, with a white outline of the action that the sign is ordering you to follow.
What are they present for?
Mandatory signs are to instruct clear orders that must be adhered to on a construction site. Whether this be ‘eye protection must be worn’, ‘all visitors report to the site office’ or ‘keep out’.
Safety Conditions
What does it look like?
A sign displaying any safety condition instruction will always be a green square with a white action inside, along with accompanying text.
What are they present for?
You will most likely find safety conditions signs in designated areas for visitor or worker relievement (first aid) or to navigate emergency escape (fire exits).
Fire Safety
What does it look like?
Fire safety signs are usually square or rectangular in shape, and feature a white symbol on a bold red (to donate danger) background.
What are they present for?
Fire safety signs send out a clear message to let all workers, visitors and members of the public know that there is fire safety equipment available; such as extinguishers, hydrants and alarms.