ivet.edu.au 1300 00 IVET IVET Institute: RTO ID: 40548 Recognise extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols FSKRDG001 This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise highly familiar and extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols in printed or digital formats, such as Work Health and Safety (WHS) signs and symbols. An individual performing these tasks operates alongside an expert or mentor where significant support, prompting advice and modelling can be provided. STUDENT RESOURCE

CONTENTS Elements and performance criteria........................................................................................................................................3 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................4 Compliance with the Australian Standards........................................................................................................................4 Prohibition signs – CAN’T DO...............................................................................................................................................................................................5 Mandatory signs – MUST DO.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Hazard signs......................................................................................................................................................................................7 Danger signs – KILL YOU...........................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Warning signs – HURT YOU....................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Informative signs ............................................................................................................................................................................8 Emergency information signs – SAFETY FIRST ................................................................................................................................................... 8 Fire signs – FIRE EQUIP................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 More informative signs.................................................................................................................................................................8 Interpreting signs............................................................................................................................................................................9 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................................................................................9 Suites 210 – 212 189E South Centre Road Tullamarine VIC 3043 © IVET Created: 16/1/23 Version: 1.0 The content of this publication is produced for educational purposes only. No claim is made to its accuracy or the authenticity of the content. The information in this document is provided on the basis that the reader takes responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of the content. No responsibility is taken for any information or services which may appear on any linked websites. IVET Group does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of such information or advice) in this document or incorporated into it by reference. All content, unless otherwise indicated, is the intellectual property of the IVET Group. 2

ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Elements describe the essential outcomes. Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. 1. Prepare to read highly familiar and extremely simple and short workplace signs and symbols 1.1 Identify highly explicit purpose of sign or symbol 1.2 Identify highly explicit text features 2. Interpret signs and symbols 2.1 Use reading strategies to recognise information on sign or symbol 2.2 Construct meaning from sign or symbol 2.3 Check interpretation of sign or symbol is correct FSKRDG001 Recognise extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols Elements and performance criteria Performance evidence The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to: y interpret at least three different highly familiar and extremely simple and short workplace signs and symbols, one of which must be a sign and one a symbol. Knowledge evidence The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of: y explicit reasons for reading workplace signs and symbols y purpose and uses of extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols y highly explicit text features of workplace signs and symbols and their uses y reading strategies that support recognising extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols y methods to check understanding of signs and symbols. For more information on this unit of competency visit: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/FSKRDG001 3

FSKRDG001 – Recognise extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols Introduction Workplace signs and symbols are designed to identify potential hazards in your workplace or help workers in learning and identifying information about a part of the business. These workplace signs assist in communicating essential and clear instructions that may include: y Health and safety hazards y Reinforcing safety messages y Providing instructions for emergency situations y Provide information and/or precautions to undertake Workplaces are required by law under the Health & Safety legislation to install and use signs where possible to highlight or indicate any potential or serious hazards that may occur in the workplace. Compliance with the Australian Standards The Australian Standards AS 1319:1994 details specific requirements for the layout and use of safety signs that are used in the workplace environment with the intent of regulating and control safety-related behaviour. These standards are designed to protect the work (and the workplace) from potential injuries or accidents that could potentially occur if information was not communicated. For example, if someone had just cleaned a floor and there was no sign to indicate to somebody that the floor was wet and that they should be careful how they walk, then someone could potentially walk into the area and slip over and hurt themselves. However, if the sign below was in place, and the person knew how to read the sign, then they would be aware of the potential hazard in the area and act accordingly. There are two types of signs in the workplace that are mandatory. The first kind are required to be in place, and are enforced by WHS laws (e.g. danger signs). The second kind are additional signs that may educate or inform people of things, such as giving details of an office, or giving simple instructions. 4

Signs and symbols are standardised under the Australian standard so that once you have a basic grasp of the formatting and layout of each of the signs, you should be able to recognise what the message is that each sign is trying to communicate. However, if you are in doubt, you should always feel comfortable asking a fellow staff member or colleague what the sign means. If you are unsure at any stage as to what the signs says, then ask. Safety signs contain clear instructions about what CAN and what CAN’T be done in the workplace, and if you don’t follow these correctly it could result in injury or death, as well as fines or criminal charges being laid. Australian safety signs are catergorised into six main types. Having an understanding of what these six main types are, and their purpose, will help you to determine what you need to know in the workplace. The six types of signs are: y Prohibition Signs – CAN’T DO y Mandatory Signs – MUST DO y Danger Signs – KILL YOU y Warning Signs – HURT YOU y Emergency Information Signs – SAFETY FIRST y Fire Signs – FIRE EQUIP Prohibition signs – CAN’T DO Prohibition signs define an action you CAN’T DO. They are instantly recognisable by the red circle with a line through it. This means that whatever the representation of the image is in the sign then you are NOT allowed to do that in this area. There may be text supporting the image (to clarify and provide additional information). For example: In this image (above), the icon of the smoking cigarette has the red line through it and the circle around it. It is supported by the text that says NO SMOKING. The text on this sign gives additional information by stating NO SMOKING WITHIN 4 METRES FROM ENTRY OR EXIT. 5

FSKRDG001 – Recognise extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols Here are some other examples of prohibition signs: This message states that only authorised personnel are allowed to enter this area. If you are not authorised to enter this area, then it is prohibited. This sign has a picture of a dog with the prohibition circle around it and the text saying NO DOGS ALLOWED, implies that no dogs are allowed in this area. Mandatory signs – MUST DO These are signs that are the OPPOSITE of prohibition signs. These signs indicate something that MUST be done in this area. They are immediately recognisable by a white symbol or pictogram with a blue circle around it on a white background. If the workplace requires safety equipment to be worn, then these signs should be visible. Some examples are: This sign indicates that eye protection must be worn in this area. This sign indicates that safety helmets MUST be worn at all times in this area. A mandatory sign can also be indicated with no image when the sign has the words written in black on a white rectangular background. 6

Hazard signs The next two types of signs are referred to as hazard signs. These signs indicate elements in the workplace that can either KILL or HURT you. Danger signs – KILL YOU If a potential danger or hazard can be life-threatening, then a danger sign is required. A danger sign is defined by an oval inside a black rectangle with the word DANGER written in bold text in capital letters. This alerts people to the potential threat. Some common danger signs include HIGH VOLTAGE and DO NOT ENTER. Warning signs – HURT YOU When the potential injury isn’t life-threatening but could still result in an injury, then a warning sign is used to inform people of the potential DANGER. They are easy to identify with a yellow background and black triangle around the hazard symbol. They are most commonly seen in SLIPPERY WHEN WET sign or BOILING WATER such as below: 7

FSKRDG001 – Recognise extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols Informative signs These signs provide information that can help people identify and find the location of objects. They are made up of emergency information signs and fire signs. Emergency information signs – SAFETY FIRST These signs help identify the location of emergency related facilities such as emergency exits, first aid or essential safety equipment. They have a green background with white writing and symbols. Common signs include FIRST AID KIT or EMERGENCY PHONE. Fire signs – FIRE EQUIP The bright red background of fire signs is designed so that they are easy to spot around fire alarms and fire-fighting equipment. All the text on these signs are in white and stand out against a red background. They can be used to indicate the location of fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fire blankets and more. More informative signs These are signs that give information about the workplace such as: OFFICE THIS WAY ... or that this room is for storage. They are usually made up of simple text and images and should be easily interpreted. 8

Interpreting signs When you are reading and attempting to interpret a new sign for the first time here are some strategies that may be helpful. Firstly, look at the colouring and the symbols of the sign, remember that: y Prohibition signs will have a red circle with a line through it. These are things you CAN’T DO. y Mandatory signs will have a blue circle with a white background, with an image of something you MUST DO inside the blue circle. y Danger signs are defined by an oval inside a black rectangle with the word danger written in bold text in capital letters. This is for hazards that can KILL YOU. y Warning signs have a yellow background. These are for hazards that can HURT YOU. y Emergency information signs are green and indicate where safety equipment is located. y Fire equip has a red background and indicate where fire prevention equipment is stored. y Informative signs will usually be text on a single colour background. Identifying what type of sign it is will then help you determine what the intent of the sign is; is it to inform you of what you can or can’t do, or something you need to be aware of. Next look at the icon or shape on the sign; is it recognisable and familiar to you. Clarify this by checking and reading any text on the sign. For example, a NO SMOKING sign may simply have the symbol of the smoking cigarette. Still, it may also clarify its intent by saying NO SMOKING and having further instructions as to the parameters of the purpose of the sign, such as how far away from the sign you aren’t allowed to smoke etc. Always seek clarification of the sign with another colleague or superior, especially if you have any doubts about the intent of the sign. Misreading a sign can not only be dangerous; it can also be deadly for yourself and others. Workplaces are required by law to have a series of induction sessions for new staff; this should also include allocating time to showing you the signage around the building and allowing you to clarify the meaning and intent of them. Just remember, when in doubt… ASK. Conclusion Understanding how to read and interpret signs can be beneficial not just for safety purposes but also in developing an understanding of your work environment and surroundings. It will also help you to have an understanding of what is required of you to do, and equally not to do, and where to find items in cases of emergency. Once you have a basic understanding of how to read signs, you will subsequently be able to quickly decipher and/or define new signs or use the described workflow to then seek clarification and understanding 9

FSKRDG001 – Recognise extremely short and simple workplace signs and symbols Please draw a line (or move electronically) to match definitions with the correct answers in the table below. Fire signs These signs help identify the location of facilities such as emergency exits, first aid or essential safety equipment. They have a green background with white writing and symbols. Common signs include FIRST AID KIT or EMERGENCY PHONE. Danger Signs These signs are designed so that they are easy to spot around fire alarms and fire-fighting equipment. All the text on these signs are in white and stand out against a red background. They can be used to indicate the location of fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fire blankets and more. Warning signs These signs indicate something that MUST be done in this area. They are immediately recognisable by a white symbol or pictogram with a blue circle around it on a white background. If the workplace requires safety equipment to be worn, then these signs should be visible. Prohibition Signs These signs are designed to warn people when the potential injury isn’t life-threatening but could still result in an injury. They are easy to identify with a yellow background and black triangle around the hazard symbol. Mandatory Signs These signs alerts people to potential threats. Some common signs include HIGH VOLTAGE and DO NOT ENTER. Emergency Information Signs Define an action you CAN’T DO. They are instantly recognisable by the red circle with a line through it. This means that whatever the representation of the image is in the sign then you are NOT allowed to do that in this area. There may be text supporting the image (to clarify and provide additional information). LEARNING ACTIVITY 1 What's that sign? 10

Learning Checkpoint 1 1. What does Australian Standards AS 1319:1994 detail and why is it designed for? 2. What could happen if you do not follow workplace signs? 3. How many main categories are Australian safety signs categorised into? 4. Besides for safety purposes, what else can understanding how to read and interpret signs can be beneficial for? 11

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