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Warning Labels

Need help? Need help? Are warning labels effective? Hazard Warning & Caution Labels To Protect Your Team

Providing adequate notice of workplace hazards can be a daunting task. At Seton, we supply a comprehensive assortment of hazard warning labels to help you highlight risks and remind individuals to take suitable precautions - such as wearing PPE.

From the presence of gas, asbestos or biohazards to the use of lasers, electricity, and flammable substances; we have hazard and caution warning labels suitable for use throughout your operations. Reduce accidents, improve safety and efficiency in your business today by installing hazard warning labels from Seton - all delivered in an instant from our UK distribution centre.

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Warning labels – What You Need to Know

Great Britain experienced 123 workplace fatalities in 2021/2022. For this period, the HSE recorded 61,713 work-related injuries under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013.

123 WORK FATALITIES

The UK government recorded 123 workplace fatalities in the 2021/2022 period.

61,713 WORK INJURIES

During the 2021/2022 period, a total of 61,713 workplace injuries were recorded in line with RIDDOR 2013 regulations.

INCIDENT AVOIDANCE

These numbers could be significantly reduced if more employers commit to installing hazard warning labels throughout their premises.

Warning labels help prevent workplace accidents and illnesses by displaying possible dangers. These visual cautions, often positioned on product packaging, an otherwise blank wall, or equipment, remind employees to be careful when using certain available materials, operating supplied machinery or entering specific high risk areas.

Improving workplace safety with Seton’s assortment of custom and pre-printed warning labels couldn’t be easier - simply find a blank space in the area or near the respective hazard, peel the tag and stick. When individuals are aware of a risk, it can be much easier to view and avoid.

What are warning labels?

Warning labels or warning stickers are highly visible indicators - usually a black/yellow triangle against a white background - that alert employees and visitors to dangers. These items often contain succinct messages, a universally recognised pictogram, or both.

It is highly likely that you have seen many of the most common icons at home - on the packaging of products for example. Or you may have seen them at work - applied to machinery or equipment following a safety inspection.

It can be difficult to decide which message(s) you need to add and in what form. Consulting your risk assessment will help you decide not only which items you need but also in what form - do you need a tape of 100 labels or will a pack of 10 be sufficient?

A quality hazard warning marker informs people about risks related to materials, equipment and designated areas such as radiation rooms. These signs act as a mental nudge to remind employees to take the necessary precautions.

We have put together a table below to help you compare the most common icons in our range, as well as their meanings. From there you can compare the individual and pack product options supplied, which all share the same message, icon or both.

Title / Referent Graphic Function Product(s)
Arc Flash Hazard warning symbol for arc flash hazards To warn of an arc flash
  1. Safety Label Packs - Arc Flash
  2. Arc Flash Symbol Sheet of Vinyl Labels
Asbestos Hazard warning symbol for asbestos hazards To warn of the presence of asbestos
  1. Warning Contains Asbestos Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
  2. Warning Contains Asbestos Eco Friendly Labels-On-A-Roll
Biohazard Hazard warning symbol for arc biological hazards To warn of a biological material or waste
  1. Safety Label Packs - Biohazard
  2. Safety Label Packs - Biohazard Symbol
Electric Shock Hazard warning symbol for electrical hazards To warn of electricity
  1. Danger Risk of Electric Shock Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
  2. Beware Electricity Eco Friendly Labels On-A-Roll
Explosive Hazard warning symbol for explosive hazards To warn of a pressurised cylinder
  1. Danger Explosive Gas Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
  2. Danger Explosive Hazard Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
Flammable Hazard warning symbol for flammable hazards To warn of flammable material
  1. Warning Flammable Gas Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
  2. Flammable Material Eco Friendly Labels On-A-Roll
  3. Warning Flammable Liquid Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
  4. On-the-Spot Safety Labels - Danger Highly Flammable
General Hazard Hazard warning symbol for general hazards To signify a general warning
  1. General Hazard - Eco Friendly Safety Labels On-a-Roll
  2. General Hazard Symbol - Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Sheet
Hot Surface Hazard warning symbol for hot surface hazards To warn of a contact point with a high temperature
  1. Safety Label Packs - Hot Surface Symbol
  2. Hot Surface Symbol Sheet of Vinyl Labels
  3. Safety Label Packs - Hot Surface
  4. Caution Hot Surface - Destructible Safety Labels
Laser Hazard warning symbol for laser hazards To warn of a laser beam
  1. Beware Laser Beam Eco Friendly Labels On-A-Roll
  2. Laser Beam Symbol Sheet of Vinyl Labels
  3. Laser Symbol - Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
Oxidising Substance Hazard warning symbol for oxidising substance hazards To warn of an oxidising substance
  1. Oxidising Symbol - Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
Radioactive Hazard warning symbol for radioactive hazards To warn of radioactive materials or ionising radiation
  1. Safety Label Packs - Radioactive Symbol
  2. Radioactive Symbol - Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Sheet
  3. Radioactive Symbol - Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
  4. Safety Label Packs - Radioactive
Toxic Material Hazard warning symbol for toxic hazards To warn of toxic material
  1. Beware Toxic Material Symbol Sheet of Vinyl Labels

Why are warning labels important?

Health and safety labels flag possible dangers and show people what personal protective equipment (PPE) they need around these risks. They capture the type of danger, gear needed, and necessary protective measures in a nutshell to make an environment safer and reduce hazards.

Some workplaces need all these warnings, while others may only need some. Seton’s team of health and safety professionals sourced all the warning labels needed by various industries. No matter your industry; whether you provide a product or service, it is likely you need to provide notice of hazards present in your operations. Here, you’ll find everything from multi-sticker rolls to a pack of long-lasting vinyl labels for your warehouse, laboratory or other specialist facilities.

For instance, our vinyl asbestos labels effectively warn people about areas or objects containing this substance and the dangers of inhaling it. These come on a handy roll, which is easy to store and use.

“You should stick labels on anything that contains or might contain asbestos if it is located where people are likely to disturb or damage it. Get these from safety sign companies.”

Managing My Asbestos - A step by step guide
HSE.gov.uk

If you’re working with or transporting gas cylinders, our gas warning labels are essential. They caution people about the dangers of open flames or temperature fluctuations near these containers. Thanks to the self-adhesive backing, you can attach them to just about anything, including glass, tiles and doors - just like a pack of stickers.

Electricity is all around us and it’s never a bad idea to remind employees of the potential risks. You’ll especially need to add high quality printed electrical warning labels in places such as power plants and electrical engineering workshops.

Seton’s globally recognisable signs serve as eye-catching warnings to inform people of potential shock risks. We stock an expansive range of high quality products and with 100 vinyl labels per roll, or our low price pack of 6 or 10 bundles, you’re certain to have a tag at the ready when needed.

Our comprehensive warning icon selection also covers your biohazard label needs. You’ll find this and many more, in a range of sizes and styles all ready for fast fuss-free delivery.

Where are biohazard warning labels required?

A biohazard label warns people about the presence or likely presence of biological waste and infectious agents. You use this type of caution label for:

  • Packages – for example, when transporting blood products.
  • Dangerous areas, such as laboratories working with pathogens.

Biological dangers include viruses, bacteria and other harmful microbes. Examples are influenza, COVID-19 and waterborne viruses, so it is important that individuals are made aware of such biological threats in order that they can implement protection measures for themselves and others.

Seton stocks attention-grabbing, black/yellow on white biohazard warning stickers and labels that you can use to mark areas, packages and containers. These easy-to-use signs come with a self-adhesive backing, so you don’t have to add glue or tape to get them installed.

We also have equally user-friendly signs for radiation warnings. These labels come in sheets – simply peel off a sign and attach it. You’ll find these useful for radiology operations and in facilities where radiation is present.

While browsing this section, also check our laser warning label and toxic warning label selection. These are especially useful for your research and development areas in different fields. We even have a pack of laser warning stickers for your optic operations.

What size are hazard warning labels?

Your labels must not be too small. They must be visible and readable. But what exactly does this mean when it comes to choosing the size of signage?

In essence it means all printed tags must be clear and easy to view from most distances.

Experts recommend that your lettering should be at least 7.6mm high and subtexts must not be smaller than 5.1mm. We’ve ensured that all our safety labels comply with the necessary specifications.

The following table indicates the minimum size of lettering within warning signage, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

Non VDU Applications VDU Applications
Viewing Distance (mm) Height (mm) Viewing Distance (mm) Height (mm)
501-900 5 500 3
901-1800 9 700 4.3
1801-3600 18 1000 4.8
3601-6000 30
Information presented sourced from Warning Signs
HSE.gov.uk

So, when you use a Seton hazard or caution label, you know that you’re in line with all legal size requirements. This goes for everything from our chemical warning labels to our corrosive or electrical warning label and flammable warning label.

Maybe now is a good time for an inspection of your current tags and labels to ensure they comply? The price you might pay for outdated or illegible warnings could be far greater when you compare it to the price of replacing them with long-lasting replacements from Seton.

Are warning labels effective?

Warning labels are definitely effective in curbing workplace incidents, injuries and losses. These signs are constant visual reminders that care must be taken.

"For warning signs and alarm indications, the first requirement is to alert the operator to the situation, and then to aid his/her accurate and prompt diagnosis"

Ball, P.W
Warning Signs
HSE.gov.uk

They plant subconscious seeds that grow awareness until behaviours become second nature. So, these hazard warning stickers are not only a legal requirement but also make a tangible difference to the health and safety of a workplace.

It can be easy to think you only need PPE to provide adequate protection from workplace hazards, but if individuals are unaware of the risks in their environment, it can be difficult to persuade them that the supplied equipment is necessary. Our range of printed self adhesive tags are a low price way to alert staff and visitors to the everyday risks throughout your facility.

From cautioning people about moving or pinching machine parts to extreme surface temperatures or liquid warnings, we are sure to stock the tags and marker products in suitable sizes, all available for fast, fuss free delivery.