How regular safety sign audits can prevent workplace accidents

Workplace safety is a critical concern across all industries, yet even the most well-established protocols can fall short without clear and up to date signage.

Safety signs play a vital role in guiding behaviour, alerting workers to hazards and ensuring compliance with regulations. Safety sign audits ensure that your safety signs are maintained and are compliant with safety standards.

We will explore why these audits matter, what they should include and how to ensure your safety signs are meeting these standards.

The importance of safety signs in the workplace

Safety signs are an essential component of any effective workplace safety strategy. They are visual cues that communicate vital information, such as warnings, required protective equipment and emergency procedures.

Through standardised colours, shapes and symbols, safety signs can ensure that everyone can understand potential risks and required actions immediately.

When properly placed and well-maintained, these signs significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and support compliance with safety regulations.

What is a safety sign audit?

A key aspect of workplace safety is performing regular safety sign audits. These audits will ensure that your safety signs are:

• Clear
• Visible
• Compliant with regulations
• Service their purpose

A safety sign audit will look at whether there are effective programmes in place for identifying, eliminating or controlling hazards. This is to protect workers from any workplace hazards and injuries.

Common issues uncovered during safety sign audits

Safety sign audits often reveal a range of issues that can compromise the effectiveness of your workplace safety system. Identifying and addressing these problems is key to maintaining a safe and compliant environment.

Some common issues discovered include:

• Faded or damaged signs: Over time, exposure to sunlight, chemicals or physical wear can cause signs to fade, crack or peel. Damaged signs can send mixed signals or go unnoticed, defeating their purpose.
• Obstructed visibility: Signs that are blocked by equipment or temporary items may not be visible when they are most needed.
• Outdated information: Workplaces evolve and so do the hazards within them. Audits often uncover signs that reference outdated procedures, equipment or regulations. This can lead to confusion and potential safety violations.
• Incorrect or inconsistent signage: Using the wrong sign type, size, colour or symbol can undermine standard safety communication.
• Missing signs: Sometimes, signs that should be in place are simply missing. These gaps can leave workers unaware of critical hazards or safety procedures.
• Poor placement: Signs that are too high, too low or placed in less visible locations often fil to capture attention when it matters most.

How to ensure your safety signs pass audits

Passing a safety sign audit isn’t just about compliance, it is about creating a safer, more informed workplace.

By taking proactive steps, you can ensure your signage meets legal standards and serves its purpose.

1. Use standardised, compliant signage: Ensure all safety signs follow local and international standards. Such as Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 and ISO 7010.
2. Conduct regular inspections: Establish a routine schedule to inspect all safety signs across your facility. Catching and fixing problems early is key to maintaining compliance.
3. Keep signage clean and visible: Regularly clean signs to prevent dirt or other build up from obscuring messages. Ensure they are not blocked by equipment or storage items.
4. Update signs with environmental or process changes: Whenever your workplace undergoes changes, such as new machinery or reconfigured layouts, review and revise your signage accordingly.
5. Train staff on sign meaning and importance: Offer refresher training that explains the purpose of different signs.

Key benefits of safety signs from REGALTAG

At REGALTAG, we offer premium safety signs that ensure compliance with the regulations. Our safety signs are designed not only for compliance but also for long-term performance and adaptability. Our safety signs are:

• UV and freeze resistant: REGALTAG safety signs are built to withstand extreme conditions. Whether exposed to direct sunlight or freezing temperatures, our signs remain clear, legible and durable. This ensures safety communication is never compromised.
• Lightweight and flexible: Our signs are made from advanced materials that are easy to handle and install. Their lightweight yet durable design makes them suitable for a variety of surfaces and locations.
• Fully customisable: Every workplace is different and so are its safety needs. REGALTAG offers custom safety signs tailored to your specific hazards, branding and regulatory requirements.

Involving employees in safety sign audits

One of the most effective ways to strengthen your safety culture is to involve employees directly in the audit process.

Workers on the front lines are often the first to notice damaged, missing or unclear signs. By inviting their input, you not only catch issues sooner but also reinforce the message that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Creating a culture of safety through regular audits

Regular safety sign audits do more than just identify compliance issues, they help build a proactive culture where safety is part of everyday thinking.

When audits become routine, safety signage stays relevant, risks are consistently addressed, and accountability becomes shared across teams.

Safety signs from REGALTAG

When it comes to implementing and maintaining effective safety signage, REGALTAG provides the reliability and quality you need. Our UV and freeze-resistant signs are made to endure tough conditions, while their lightweight, flexible design makes installation easy.

Investing in durable, compliant safety signs from REGALTAG not only helps prevent accidents but ensures you meet the requirements in your safety sign audit.

If you’d like to find out more about how we can help with your safety signs, contact our friendly team at REGALTAG® today. We’re more than happy to answer any questions you have and can guide you through each material option.