.svg)
There are a number of compulsory notices to be displayed in the workplace. In this article, we take a look at the different requirements!
What are the challenges of occupational health and safety signage?
Whatever its activity, the operation of a company generates risks and requires the establishment of safety rules and instructions. Certain risks are common to all companies, and are inherent to the operation of the building(s) and the cohabitation of different workers in the workplace.
Examples: This is particularly the case for fire riskelectrical risk, the risk of falling on the same level, etc.
To prevent these risks, the French Labor Code stipulates that companies must post notices and information. These notices take the form of signs or posters displayed in places visible to all.
In addition, the posting and signposting of these risks is sometimes accompanied by specific safety instructions and information on what to do in the event of an accident.
ℹ Please note : Many companies market pre-filled displays that comply with various regulatory requirements.
What are the company's mandatory notices?
Among the compulsory displays in all companies are the essential elements relating to occupational health and safety (OHS), as well as information on who to contact in case of need:
| Regulatory obligation | Application tips and details | |
|
Signposting of danger zones which could not be avoided(Article R4214-14 C.Trav.) |
|
|
Displaying the DUERP(Article R4121-4 C.Trav.) | Display the means of access to the DUERP (document unique d'évaluation des risques professionnels). |
|
Display of the telephone number and address of the company's SST personnel(Article D4711-1 C.Trav.) |
|
|
Display against moral harassment(Article L1152-4 C.Trav.) | Display article 222-33-2 of the French Penal Code on company premises. |
|
Display against sexual harassment(Article L1153-5 C.Trav.) |
|
|
Anti-discrimination posters(article L1142-6 C.Trav.) | |
|
Display of CSE members, where applicable(Article R2314-22 C.Trav.) | Post the list of CSE members following professional elections (only in companies with at least 11 employees). |
|
Signposting of first-aid post, where available(Article R4214-23 C.Trav.) | The first-aid station is compulsory for industrial plants with 200 or 500 employees respectively. |
|
|
Signs indicating the location of first-aid equipment(Article R4224-23 C.Trav.) | Appropriate, visible signage. |
|
Access to company rules and regulations(Article R1321-1 C.Trav.) | Display the means of access to the company's internal regulations (only in companies with at least 50 employees that have them). |
|
No-smoking signs(Article R3512-7 C.Trav.) | Multiple, visible displays. |
|
No-smoking signs(Article L3513-6 C.Trav.) | Multiple, visible displays. |
These displays are the minimum required to establish an information base for employee health and safety. In particular, they help to ensure a safe and harmonious working environment. Note that any additional signage deemed useful for OHS can of course be added to this list.
What displays are required for fire safety?
The risk of fire is present in every company. All companies, whatever their size, must design their workplaces to enable rapid and total evacuation in complete safety (Article R4216-2 C.Trav.). Limiting the spread of fire and facilitating the intervention of emergency services must also be taken into account when designing workplaces.
ℹ Please note : there are more stringent fire-fighting regulations for (Article R4227-1 C.Trav.) :
- public-access establishments ;
- special-risk establishments ;
- high-rise buildings.
To ensure that evacuation of the workplace is organized, clear and precise signposting of exit routes is mandatory(Article R4227-13 C.Trav.). These are generally transluminescent signs indicating the routes to be taken, the various emergency exits and safe waiting areas.
Even if this is not a regulatory requirement, an evacuation plan can be drawn up to complement this signage.
⚠️ Caution : Unless otherwise specified emergency lighting must be installed to ensure maximum safety in the event of accidental interruption of normal lighting (Article R4227-14 C.Trav.).
In addition, extinguishing equipment must be indicated by appropriate signs(Article R4227-33 C.Trav.). This generally involves signs indicating the location of fire extinguishers and, where applicable, hose reels and fire-fighting equipment.
* * *
More stringent regulations, particularly concerning fire-fighting signs, apply to :
● establishments usually attended by 50 people, including any members of the public;
● establishments where flammable or explosive materials are handled or used.
In addition to the provisions set out above, these establishments must be equipped with an audible fire alarm system(Article R4227-34 C.Trav.). This alarm system must be clearly signposted, and must not be confused with other signs(Article R4227-36 C.Trav.).
These establishments must also display fire safety instructions "in a very conspicuous manner"(Article R4227-37 C.Trav.).
Fire safety instructions must at least indicate(Article R4227-38 C.Trav.) :
- extinguishing and emergency equipment on or near the premises;
- persons in charge of using extinguishing and rescue equipment;
- for each room, the persons responsible for directing the evacuation of workers and, where applicable, the public;
- specific measures for evacuating disabled people;
- warning systems (alarm system, telephone, announcements, etc.);
- those responsible for calling the fire department;
- address and telephone number of emergency services;
- instructions for anyone noticing the start of a fire, i.e. to sound the alarm and implement first aid measures without waiting for specially designated workers to arrive.
These instructions constitute the minimum content of fire safety instructions. However, it is advisable to add to them any instructions that could be useful in the event of a disaster, such as a detailed evacuation plan, the content of warning messages, the frequency of evacuation drills, the obligation not to obstruct exit routes, and so on. It is also advisable to specify the content of each instruction as precisely as possible.
⚠️ Warning : fire safety instructions must be communicated to the labor inspectorate (Article R4227-40 C.Trav.).
Finally, please note that these safety instructions must be posted on the wall:
- on premises with more than five employees;
- in premises where explosive or flammable materials are stored or handled;
- in premises or corridors serving a group of premises with a workforce of less than five people.
📃 Documentation: For further details on fire safety signs and instructions, please consult the recommendation ED 6230 issued by INRS.
What are the mandatory signs for electrical hazards?
Premises or locations where electricity is managed within the company represent a risk of electric shock, regardless of the voltage present. For this reason, the premises must be visibly marked with appropriate signs(Article R4226-9 C.Trav.).
🔎 Focus : Access to these premises must be restricted to authorized personnel, and doors must be closed and fitted with a locking system that can be opened freely from the inside.
What are the penalties for failure to comply with mandatory posting requirements?
Failure to comply with regulatory obligations relating to safety signs and instructions in the workplace is punishable by a fine of up to 750 euros (Article R4741-3 C.Trav.). This is a4th class offence .
Furthermore, exposing an employee to risk by breaching a specific safety obligation is punishable by one year's imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros(Article 223-1 C.Trav.). However, the absence of compulsory posting does constitute exposure of employees to a risk.
Lastly, in the event of a workplace accident caused by the absence of compulsory posting, the employer may be held inexcusably liable, both civilly and criminally. As a result, the employer may be required to pay additional compensation and the fines stipulated in the French penal code.
Conclusion
Compulsory company signage is a simple and effective way of preventing certain risks in the workplace. It is also a regulatory obligation for the employer. That's why it's important to take particular care when putting it up, and to make sure it's as detailed as possible.
Photo credit: @wittybear