The latest figures from the HSE estimates the cost of work injuries and ill health from working conditions is £15 billion. Even with the advent of personal protective equipment (PPE), workplace injuries are still costing businesses and public services money.

Eye injuries make up a small amount of this cost, but these injuries can impact an employee’s life.

Below, we discuss how to protect your eyes in the workplace and the importance of eye protection signs.

Types of Eye Protection in the Workplace

Eye injuries occur in the workplace for two reasons: eye protection wasn’t worn, or eye protection wasn’t used properly.

Despite the wide range of eye injuries that can occur, the above reasons underpin all them. For that reason, employees need to be both reminded and trained to ensure they keep up with eye protection safety.

There are five categories of eye protection:

1) Spectacles with side protection – a broad category used for all types of eye protection. These must contain side shields to prevent debris from coming in at the side. 

2) Goggles – a higher-end version of spectacles. These protect the eyes from fluids, particulates, chemicals, etc.

3) Welding helmets – protects from heat, sparks, infrared light, fire and UV light.

4) Hoods – non-rigid protection with impact-resistant windows. Ideal for eye protection in confined or awkward spaces.

5) Face shields – protects a user’s face from impacts, heat and glare.

6) Respirator facepieces – colloquially known as a gas mask, this protects a user’s eyes and lungs from inhaling particulates, microorganisms, gases, vapour, etc.

Having the correct equipment for the correct environment is only half of the battle, though. Employees need to stay trained and reminded via eye protection signs to stay safe.

The Role of Eye Protection Signs

Eye protection signs communicate and remind members of staff to use their PPE. They are an implicit line of defence and can be the difference between a tired worker putting on their goggles and hurting themselves.

Signs must comply with harmonised standard EN 7010, as well as the Signs and Safety Regulations 1996.

If you work in medical, laboratories, research facilities, hospitals, forestry, construction, agriculture and everything in between, eye protection is essential.

Even in non-physical jobs, eye protection is important, albeit without the need for equipment. Eye protection in the office, for example, is essential to protect eyes from screen glare.

Protect Your Eyes With Label Source

Our full range of eye protection signs will keep you, your employees and your business safe.

Sometimes, a functional and modern security system can be too much for a business to invest in. Covering the whole premises in the same level of security can be a stretch too far for some.

Security signs, though, can be a cost-effective method to prevent a robbery in a business. Deterrence is a complicated psychological tool, but it can only be used if you know where to put security stickers.

The Effects of Security Signs

Security signs are likely to have a large effect in the minds of opportunistic burglars. While those who plan well in advance may notice other opportunities, security signs add a much-needed layer of defence against those who strike without a plan.

It may also put off professional burglars early on – it’s easier for them to plan a hit a business that has no defence than a company which communicates one.

When used with CCTV and security systems, signs that detail the type of systems, brands and other security information will put off even the most seasoned of swindlers.

If you don’t use security signs, then you run a risk of opportunistic burglars breaking into your business or property.

Fake security signs, though, are not recommended. Experienced burglars see fake signs as an invitation to break in; they only communicate that a premise isn't fully protected.

While a proper security system helps, putting off those who wish to break-in at the first step is the most cost-effective method of protection.

How to Use and Where to Put Security Signs

Security signs need to be positioned and placed properly to be effective. Broadly, place the signs in the following areas:

1) In floor-level windows, visible for those who are within 10 feet.

2) In basement and cellar windows, as this is a common access point for thieves.

3) Near entry gates, driveways and any other access points (paths, roads, etc.).

4) Any entryways or doors.

You may want to consider illuminating security signs too. Whether this is used alongside motion-sensor lights or is placed next to nightlights, you always want to make sure that the signs can be seen in darkness.

Security signs are often used in tandem with CCTV signs and systems. Discover how to use CCTV signs properly here.

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Signs are the most cost-efficient layer of protection you and your business can get. Browse our security signs range today.

Despite the added level of security from CCTV cameras in workplaces, towns and cities, they’re still an uncomfortable reality to some. However, people cannot place undeclared cameras wherever they like – some legal boundaries and barriers need to be honoured.

Below, we break down the laws surrounding CCTV cameras and the need to use appropriate signage around them.

CCTV, The Law and You

All CCTV companies and premises which use cameras must adhere to the 2018 Data Protection Act and GDPR. Under this Act, British citizens have a set of rights which must be respected. These laws come into action in workplaces and in private domestic properties if you are capturing images of those who reside outside of it. Those using CCTV must ensure they:

• Have plausible reasons to have CCTV installed
• Have an explanation of how their CCTV affects others
• Display signs which inform and notice people that they are being recorded
• Do not keep recordings for longer than is necessary

Overall, a person or business with CCTV must have lawfully plausible reasons to record and store images of other people.

CCTV Cameras in the Workplace

There may be numerous reasons why a business may require CCTV. Not only is it a safeguard for employees against violence or theft, but it can ensure that health and safety protocols are being upheld, monitor employee performance, and prevent damage or misconduct regarding company property.

However, a business cannot just set up CCTV lazily and expect there to be no repercussions. Maintaining a level of professionalism and trust with employees must be at the forefront of a business’s mind.

From both a professional and legal perspective, you need to have legitimate reasons to have CCTV installed. Employees need a full briefing on how the recording will take place, what information will be stored, the length of time imagery is stored for, how this information will be used and a declaration that their legal rights will be protected.

Following that, a full CCTV policy should be drafted in line with the latest laws and Information Commissioner’s Office guidelines.

Before installing CCTV at a workplace, seek legal advice. It’s a delicate situation that a lot of employees may not react well to.

What are the CCTV laws Relating to Private Spaces?

While you are allowed to use CCTV on your own property, it’s important to ensure that nobody else’s property, or any public spaces, are partially being recorded by your CCTV. Your camera should also not record any private areas, including:

• Bathrooms/shower rooms
• Bedrooms
• Changing rooms
• Conference rooms
• Hotel rooms
• Neighbouring properties

Do CCTV Signs Have to be GDPR Compliant?

Any images captured by CCTV qualify as personal data, which is why it’s a legal requirement for CCTV signage to be put up, notifying people that they’re being recorded. This also means that individuals hold the right to request to see any CCTV footage they appear in.

If you store the footage recorded by the CCTV, you are considered the processor of the data, and the person legally responsible for the footage.

How to Deal with a Data Request

If someone asks to see footage that your CCTV has captured, you have one month to respond to their request.

There is no specific limit on how long you should store CCTV footage, so how long you keep footage is up to your own discretion and internal policy. If someone requests the deletion of CCTV footage, however, this should be actioned unless you have good reason not to.

Make Sure You’re Compliant

If you plan to have CCTV on your premises, you must register with the ICO as a CCTV Operator and with the ICO as a CCTV operator or data controller. Alternatively, you can register for a CCTV license. Businesses may also need to pay a data protection fee, although this does not apply if your CCTV is only to be used on domestic property.

How CCTV Signs Should Be Used

It’s not enough to just buy CCTV signs, they also need to be presented properly. All signs should be legible, clear and readable. Alongside this, signs should:

• Contain details of the organisation operating the system, its purpose and contact details.
• Be of appropriate size for its location so it can be seen. For example, signs will need to be of different sizes if they are near a footpath or a road.
• When figuring out where you can point your CCTV cameras, you must ensure signs are visible by everyone who can be seen by them. For example, if a camera is pointing outside of your property, then those it may capture should be able to see the signs.
• Signs should be large enough to act as a deterrent, too.

What are the Consequences if the Incorrect Signage is Displayed

Not complying with the law around CCTV and the correct warning signage could lead to legal action from the ICO. Individuals affected by your incorrect CCTV setup may choose to take you to court seeking compensation, and/or you could be faced with a fine.

As long as your CCTV doesn’t record any areas that it shouldn’t, and you make it clear with signage that there is active CCTV on the premises, then you’re unlikely to find yourself facing legal ramifications.

Get Your CCTV Signs Today

Purchase up-to-date and legally compliant CCTV signage from Label Source today. Whether it’s at home or at work, we can help you ensure you meet CCTV signage requirements.

Looking after the environment is an important issue, but many undervalue how simple, small changes can have positive knock-on effects. Environmental labels, for example, are a key method of reducing waste in communities and businesses.

Littering, landfills and the state of our communities are of course mostly helped by strategies and technology. However, the impact of a simple label can pay dividends when it comes to making people and employees aware.

Here, we break down how environmental labels play a role in waste-reduction strategies. 

The Impact of Environmental Labels

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to limit the environmental impact of your company. Not only is it enforced by legislation, but if you work with public entities, they often ask for evidence and examples that your business contributes to looking after the environment.

The yardstick that measures the environmental credentials of a business is ISO 14001. This international standard ensures a business has a sufficient environmental management system.

As part of this compliance, businesses are expected to do all they can to minimise impact while using labels to present information in a way that facilitates this.

Types of Environmental Labels

At Label Source, we stock labels that comply with and focus around both RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive). These labels ensure hazardous electrical and chemical waste is safely disposed of.

RoHS prevents the use of certain hazardous substances in consumer goods. Our labels help people identify the presence of these substances or their absence. In total, these substances include:

• Bismuth
• Cadmium
• Carbon Dioxide
• Chrome
• Lead
• Mercury
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether
• Polybrominated Biphenyl

WEEE, on the other hand, focuses solely on electronic waste. As such, it ensures common electrical waste – such as household items, medical devices, semiconductors, etc. – are disposed of safely to minimise the impact on the environment.

By using these types of labels in conjunction, a business can signpost environmentally hazardous chemical products and use the labels to ensure electrical waste is properly disposed of.

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Discover our environmental label stock from Label Source. We have a range of labels available to suit you and your business needs.