Occupational safety and health (SSM) signs are an essential element of workplace prevention. According to Government Decision No. 971/2006, employers are obliged to identify, assess and appropriately signpost all areas where risks to workers’ safety or health may occur.
Who determines the areas and how?
The determination of the areas that require SSM signposting must be based on the risk assessment, documented according to Law 319/2006.
It is the responsibility of the employer, through the internal department or external prevention and protection service, to identify these areas and determine the appropriate type of signage.
Types of signs provided for by HG 971/2006
The Government Decision details the minimum requirements for:
- Visual signage: signs, pictograms, ground markings, safety colors;
- acoustic signaling: audible warning or evacuation signals;
- light signaling: flashing signals in areas with mechanical or electrical hazards;
- verbal and gestural communication: used especially in activities where visual or acoustic signals are not sufficient.
All signs must be visible, durable, easy to understand and strategically placed according to the nature of the hazard. Standard signs are not sufficient; a careful analysis of the site, the frequency of the risk and the level of worker awareness is needed.
Obligations and best practices
HG 971/2006 stipulates that signage does not replace technical or organizational protective measures, but complements them. Also
- workers must be trained on the meaning of the signs;
- signage must be maintained in good working order;
- any change in the activity or infrastructure requires updating the signs.
Failure to comply with the signage requirements can lead to sanctions during SSM checks, but more importantly, it can lead to accidents that could have been prevented with a simple warning sign or yellow line on the floor.
SSM signage is not decoration – it’s real protection
Correct signage reduces risks, guides safe behavior and saves lives. It is one of the simplest and most effective preventive measures, and complying with HG 971/2006 is not just a legal obligation, but a proof of responsibility towards workers.