Signage OHS requirements procedure

1 PURPOSE

To describe the University of Melbourne's methodology for:

  • selection and design
  • installation
  • inspection, maintenance and cleaning
  • removal

of safety signage.

2 SCOPE

This procedure applies to all staff, students, contractors and other personnel at workplaces under the management or control of the University of Melbourne.

3 DEFINITIONS

Signs

An inscribed board, plaque or other delineated space on which a combination of legend and symbolic shape is used to convey a message.

(AS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment)

Temporary signs

Signs used for work in progress or signs required on a short term basis, for example, building works or experimental procedures.

4 PROCEDURE

The Australian Standard 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment and/or current University standards should be used when designing, purchasing or installing safety signs.

4.1 Responsible officers

The responsible officers for management of safety signage are listed in the following table:

Type of signage / Design & selection / Installation / Inspection, maintenance & cleaning / Removal
New & refurbished buildings (building signage) / Associate Director, Space Management / Director, Construction, Planning & Delivery / Not applicable / Not applicable
Existing building signage / Director, Asset Services / Director, Asset Services / Director, Asset Services / Director, Asset Services
Plant & equipment signage / Local supervisor or manager / Local supervisor or manager / Local supervisor or manager / Local supervisor or manager
Temporary operations signage / Local supervisor or manager / Local supervisor or manager / Local supervisor or manager / Local supervisor or manager

4.2 Signage design, selection and installation

The responsible officershall ensure signs are selected and designed to conform to relevant legislation, standards and University requirements, including:

  • AS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment
  • Building Code of Australia
  • Occupational Health & Safety Regulations 2007 (Vic)
  • University requirements.

4.3 Installation

The responsible officer must ensure safety signage is installed to conform to relevant legislation, standards and University requirements. Where practicable, the responsible officer shall ensure that:

  • Signs are located where the messages are legible, attract attention and are clearly visible to all concerned;
  • Signs are located to eliminate or minimise the risk of the sign becoming obscured;
  • Signs are installed as close as practicable to an observer's line of sight; and
  • Signs do not create a hazard when installed.

4.4 Inspection, maintenance and cleaning

The responsible officer must ensure safety signs are:

  • inspected regularly in accordance with Building Code of Australia and/or University requirements (for example, the Workplace Inspection - OHS Requirements Procedure) to ensure:
  • the information that they contain is relevant;
  • the signs are in good condition; and
  • the signs are well located in the appropriate locations;
  • maintained in good condition;
  • kept clean; and
  • illuminated (if applicable).

Staff and students must report any missing or damaged safety signs to their supervisor.

4.5 Removal

The responsible officer must ensure safety signs are removed:

  • immediately after the information they contain is no longer relevant; and/or
  • when the hazard ceases to exist.

5 RESPONSIBILITIES

Director, Construction, Planning & Delivery

Director, Asset Services

Associate Director, Space Management

Associate Director, Campus Services

Associate Director, Health & Safety

Local supervisor/manager

6 REFERENCES

Building Code of Australia

University Project Management and Design Standards

AS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment
National Self-Insurer OHS Audit Tool 2.0

AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems - Specification with guidance for use

7 DOCUMENT CONTROL

(c) TheEstablished by: RMC on 24 April 2007

Review due by: 23 February 2019

Version: 1.5 (Updated 29/02/2016)

Approved by: Associate Director, Health & Safety on 23 February 2016