Recognise the warning signs

Many office-based professionals cannot identify common office health and safety warning signs, according to a survey carried out by the health and safety equipment supplier Seton.

One hundred office workers were asked to identify 18 signs. Only 13 correctly identified the "Caution high voltage" sign; one interpreted it as "Enter the yellow area by this route". HSE statistics show that electrical accidents killed 30 UK workers last year.

Although one-third of serious office injuries are caused by slips and trips, only 50% correctly identified the "Caution slippery floor" sign. For the "Danger beware of the step" sign, the figure was under 20%.

"Business must do more to give appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision," said Simon Keeping, Seton's managing director.