Whether this needs to be communicated with safety signs depends on the health and environmental impacts associated with their use . Such risk is based on the characteristics of the chemical and the volume that needs to be kept on site. 

In reducing risks, it’s best to re-engineer, control, and finally protect and inform to reduce the significance of a hazardous situation. A simple solution to managing any chemical hazard is to keep as low an inventory as is practical and so simply, to avoid the risk.

Safety signs do a crucial task of updating workers and emergency services of the types of materials they need to be prepared for.

Without being exhaustive here’s some examples of dangerous substances one could discover within a workplace – flammable liquids, flammable solids, spontaneously combustible, toxic, radioactive, oxidizing agents, poisons, corrosive and even, explosives; all needing to be identified by a Hazchem sign of the appropriate designation.

The combined attributes of toxicity, flammability and reactivity for the substance create a material profile which determines its hazardous nature. Such materials are potentially injurious to human and environmental health – and therefore they must be used respecting the risks.

These dangerous chemicals and a fire are a dangerous incompatible mix. Following a procedure commensurate with the identified fire risks, are what one would expect. Fire safety signs are vital for identifying fire fighting equipment and secondly to provide for evacuation in the event of a fire.

Safe workplaces just don’t happen, they are the result of good and thorough planning – and this is even more relevant when there are many hazardous materials on site. Action to manage Hazchem risks are not just about compliance but are also pushed by the community expectation of  a safe workplace.  Having the requisite safety signs up are one component of respecting legislated requirements and providing a safe working environment.

Managing to keep incident risks low is simply good management, very much in line with today’s community expectations.