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Mandatory Labels

Need help? Need help? How does mandatory labelling help to promote safety? At Seton; we have a wide assortment of mandatory labels, including machinery warning labels as well as ppe and instructional labels. By definition mandatory refers to a requirement or instruction by an authority that must be followed - usually for the individual’s safety or benefit.

Our range of vibrant mandatory instruction labels featuring, white text and images on a blue background, deliver a succinct message to visitors and staff of any safety precautions that must be taken. We exclusively use internationally recognized ISO safety equipment symbols and offer fast, fuss-free delivery on all orders. Order today & boost safety in your workplace.

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Mandatory Labels - What You Need to Know

Regardless of the industry, labelling is essential at every facility for a variety of reasons. Labels and other visual forms of communication, such as warnings about potential dangers and reminders to keep workspaces clean or carry out regular machinery inspection processes, make it easier for employees to work efficiently and safely in your company. They also ensure that people have the information they need to execute their tasks, even if a hazard cannot be completely eliminated.

Mandatory labels include stickers, labels and tags that must be put on any number of potentially hazardous items and machines in a work environment to prevent harm to individuals. The application of these machinery labels has been made compulsory by the UK government for the protection of all workers.

Labels for machinery include safety instruction labels, PPE safety stickers, machinery warning labels, machinery safety labels, safety rules stickers and safety equipment symbols.

“The Regulations require employers to ensure that safety signs are provided (or are in place) and maintained in circumstances where there is a significant risk to health and safety that has not been removed or controlled by other methods. This is only appropriate where use of a sign can further reduce the risk. The other methods may include engineering controls or safe systems of work and may be required under other relevant legislation. Safety signs are not a substitute for those other methods of control.”

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
HSE.gov.uk

At Seton, we make sure that each label, we stock, is made carefully, and we provide our customers with only the best-quality machinery labels. Our range of high quality mandatory labels is highly versatile and consists of labels and tags to identify and document all possible kinds of hazard, machine, instruction or occasion.

There is a list of over 70 different kinds of mandatory labels available in our online catalogue for you to add to your order. The most frequently purchased labels at Seton include a quantity of Do Not Switch Off stickers, Read the Operator's Instructions labels, PPE stickers, Keep Hands Clear small safety stickers and Wear Opaque Eye Protection vinyl safety stickers.

What do machine labels look like?

Machine tags come in different shapes, sizes and colours, depending on where they will be placed. The colours of these safety labels are usually blue, green, red or yellow so that they are easily discernible (even at a distance) by the workers or the general public. In addition you will notice each uses a standardised, internationally recognisable, symbol to identify the hazard, prohibited action, item or instruction.

Take a look at the following list to compare, at a glance, the different label types and their respective meanings and applications. It is likely you will employ a combination of these label types to provide suitable protection against a given hazard, throughout your facility.

Type Example Colour(s) Definition
Mandatory Blue Specific behaviour or action required (eg. wear protective equipment)
Warning Yellow/Amber Be careful, take precautions
Prohibition Red Dangerous behaviour, stop, shutdown, evacuate
Emergency Escape
First Aid
Green Doors, exits, escape routes, equipment and facilities

These products must consist of an image and add some text to warn against the threat posed by a given hazard. The tag should be self-explanatory so that people who cannot read are still able to understand the information just by looking at the label, even if they only view it briefly.

“If the hearing or sight of any employee is impaired, for example by wearing personal protective equipment, additional measures should be taken to ensure that employees can see or hear the warning sign or signal, for example by increasing the brilliance or volume.”

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
HSE.gov.uk

At Seton we stock a huge assortment of low price mandatory signs and labels, in a large quantity of sizes and formats. From packs of 10 labels that disintegrate if removal is attempted and sheets of 30 vinyl labels to a tape of up to 500 of the same label; we have everything you need to ensure your equipment and facilities are fully compliant with UK legislation, at the lowest possible price. That is before we add that everything comes with fuss-free shipping from our UK distribution centre.

Take a look at the following table, to compare format information of our ‘wash your hands’ signs family of mandatory label products - the same symbol and meaning, supplied in a format and quantity to suit your needs.

Product Now Wash Your Hands - Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
Supplied As Roll of labels (100 - 500)
Product On-the-Spot Safety Labels - Wash Your Hands Please
Supplied As Pack of 6
Product Safety Label Packs - Now Wash Your Hands
Supplied As Pack of 10
Product Wash Your Hands - Vinyl Safety Labels On-a-Roll
Supplied As Roll of labels (100 - 1000)
Product Blue Wash Your Hands Symbol Vinyl Labels On-A-Sheet
Supplied As Pack of 30 labels (5 sheets of 6 labels)

What are the benefits of using mandatory labels?

Every facility is required to follow a number of applicable laws and rules. There are specific occupational requirements that your firm must adhere to, whether it operates offices, warehouses or factories.

For instance a food manufacturing or packaging facility will likely require employees to wear a number of personal protective garments and follow strict hygiene processes, in order to comply with strict foods production regulations. With this in mind our Wear Gloves and Now Wash Your Hands tags will likely be useful throughout the premises, to help prevent cross-contamination when handling ingredients. Similarly individuals may require reminders to shut off an electrical device after hours with our Switch Off At Night tags.

When it comes to security, it is important that all employees are aware of their responsibility in regards to company assets, including equipment and property. Our Keep Locked tags can help protect an asset such as premises or high value equipment by reminding individuals to restrict access.

The HSE and other national and international regulatory authorities frequently view labels as key to boosting workplace welfare. For instance, if your facility includes pipes, it is advisable to add tags to them so that staff members are aware of the contents and flow direction of each pipe. Similarly if you use any electrical equipment, it is a good idea to remind users to carry out a regular inspection of parts and complete any calibration or service tasks required before each use.

PROMOTE SAFETY

Providing mandatory instructions, such as wearing suitable PPE, helps reduce the likelihood of injuries, improving workplace safety.

HAZARD AWARENESS

Mandatory labels help ensure individuals are aware of potential hazards, as well as the actions they may need to take to reduce the risk.

PROVIDE PROTECTION

Mandatory labelling can help with evacuation procedures or in locating equipment, particularly in an emergency.

The HSE UK’s requirements for safe and healthy working conditions include labelling as one of the many aspects of regulatory compliance. Labelling is also a crucial component of ensuring that these high standards are met. Some of the major advantages of putting up mandatory labels in the workplace include the following:

  • They promote safety at the workplace
  • They keep people informed about potentially hazardous items and substances
  • Remind staff or visitors that they must wear PPE in specific areas or situations
  • They provide direction during emergency situations that require evacuating the premises or finding a specific item (such as the first aid kit)
  • They are extremely helpful in the case of an unfortunate accident or even death

How does mandatory labelling help to promote safety?

Governmental organisations frequently want labels because effective communication keeps employees informed and secure. Labels aid in employee safety at work in two main ways:

  • by outlining the placement of escape routes and other safety devices, and;
  • by giving information about workplace risks.

For instance, a pack of PPE labels can be used to inform employees that they must wear PPE for safeguarding themselves against sharp objects, electrical devices, chemicals, heat and loud noise, as well as what kind of PPE they need to wear before operating machines.

Similarly this kind of message may be added to the packaging of certain prepacked products either in relation to the item’s usage or to indicate actions before opening - for example an electrical battery that must not be unpacked in an indoor space will carry a warning or mandatory label on the packaging.

Similarly, if a machine or electrical appliance requires inspection or calibration before it can be put into service; mandatory labelling can ensure individuals are aware, adding to their personal protection against injury at work.

To help people respond appropriately and swiftly in an emergency, labels can also identify emergency exits and point out where resources such as eyewash stations and first aid kits are located. Understanding what to do and where to go can assist in reducing reaction time by even a few milliseconds, which in certain situations might save lives.

For more information regarding emergency labels, take a look at our Fire Safety Labels page and First Aid Labels page.

How do mandatory labels make a work environment more efficient?

Labelling helps to improve your workplace’s organisation and productivity. You can document the spots where items should be stored, making it simple for employees to recognise tools and making goods very simple to find.

For example, designating a container for used batteries may help you prevent confusion and waste. Similarly, labels also remind staff to keep their work areas neat and organised, which helps to clear up any clutter or waste.

When you add a visual communication system, any facility may increase the effectiveness of daily operations. Labelling may be helpful if your company has to warn employees about noise concerns, needs to comply with HSE pipe marking regulations, or wants to stay organised.

At Seton, we stock an unbeatable quantity of high quality, UK-compliant mandatory information labels and signs. All are manufactured in-house by our expert designers, each bearing an internationally recognised, ISO symbol. All products in this range are available for fast, fuss-free shipping. Don’t leave that space blank - order your mandatory labelling today.