Yes
Forward a questionnaire to
people who work with
electricity
Research
This section of the Case Study presents the information obtained from a range of sources for future analysis and referencing.
Questionnaire
A questionnaire was asked to ten people, with varying experience, all of whom work with electricity on a daily basis and the systems covered in this Case Study are relevant to them. Below is a copy of the document.
Questionnaire
The following questionnaire is based on visual communication systems in electrical safety. Please circle the appropriate level of agreement for each statement. Thank you for taking the time to complete it as the information collected will certainly benefit my study.
1. I feel safety signs convey their message well.
Totally agree Partially agree Unsure Partially disagree Totally disagree
2. I feel the presence of safety signs is of value in industry.
Totally agree Partially agree Unsure Partially disagree Totally disagree
3. Colour coding systems involved in electricity are easy to interpret.
Totally agree Partially agree Unsure Partially disagree Totally disagree
4. Colour coding systems help to avoid injury from electricity.
Totally agree Partially agree Unsure Partially disagree Totally disagree
5. Electrical safety laws are clear and apparent to me.
Totally agree Partially agree Unsure Partially disagree Totally disagree
6. I feel protected by electrical safety laws.
Totally agree Partially agree Unsure Partially disagree Totally disagree
7. I check electrical equipment for safety marks.
Totally agree Partially agree Unsure Partially disagree Totally disagree
8. Electrical marks and symbols are easy to interpret.
Totally agree Partially agree Unsure Partially disagree Totally disagree
The aim of such a task was to obtain an accurate representation of visual communication systems in electrical safety within the context of industry. The results are as follows with the statement and level of agreement.
1. I feel safety signs convey their message well.
2. I feel the presence of safety signs is of value in industry.
3. Colour coding systems involved in electricity are easy to interpret
4. Colour coding systems help to avoid injury from electricity.
5. Electrical safety laws are clear and apparent to me.
6. I feel protected by electrical safety laws.
7. I check electrical equipment for safety marks.
8. Electrical marks and symbols are easy to interpret.
Letters
Letters were sent to the Health and Safety Executive, British Standards Institution and the Institute of Electrical Engineers (see record of progress and evaluation of research for adaptation of research plan). The aim of this exercise was to obtain relevant secondary information on visual communication systems in electrical safety. The layout and content of the letters sent is as follows.
My address
Address of organisation
Date
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am currently carrying out a study into visual communication systems in electrical safety. For a successful project, a wide range of information is required from a variety of sources.
Therefore can I take this opportunity to make a request for any information in this area. All information received would be greeted with immense gratitude and would certainly benefit me throughout the study
In particular, information on safety signs in electrical safety such as colours used, materials, size and positioning would be of great use. Also set colour coding systems and electrical marks and symbols information would definitely aid my study as well as legal details.
I express my thanks again and wish your organisation every success.
Yours faithfully,
Mr V. Mooney.
Safety Signs
Research was carried out on electrical safety signs to investigate their fitness for purpose and their functional usage within industry to meet the objectives of the study.
Types of Safety Signs
Warning signs: These are triangular in shape and have a yellow background enclosed by a black band. The symbol or text is placed centrally on the background. Also, yellow should cover at least 50 % of the area of the safety sign. The choice of yellow and black is particularly relevant as they are used in nature for warning, this registers either consciously or subconsciously in people’s minds.
The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996 legally enforce this design. The regulations state that warning signs “ will be triangular in shape with a black border and symbol on a yellow background ”.
Warning signs from left to right: general layout, risk of electric shock, and general warning.
Mandatory signs: These indicate specific instructions that must be obeyed. They are circular in shape with a blue background. All symbols and text are white and placed centrally. 50 % of the sign should be blue.
This sign design is also enforced by the Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996, which state they “ must be circular on a blue background with symbols in white ”. The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations came into effect to implement the EU Directive 92/58/EEC.
Peguform make use of both types of sign however, they are in cases small or otherwise difficult to view. Although there are no set guidelines on size, this could create problems. They are predominantly made from plastic or an adhesive vinyl is used. Positioning operates on the principle of where a safety sign is considered to be necessary.
Left: a mandatory safety sign displaying the instruction safety boots must
be worn.
Colour Coding
Colour coding systems used at Peguform were investigated with to reveal downfalls or model systems.
Electrical Wiring
Electrical wiring in industry is governed by the Institute of Electrical Engineers 16th Edition Wiring Regulations. These are not officially law but the Health and Safety Executive will prosecute if they are not met. This is due to the link with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which retain civil liability. It is these regulations, which play a central part in electrical safety at Peguform. The entirety of electrical wiring at the Peguform plant is based on requirements from the 16th Edition.
The 16th Edition Regulations divide colour coding of cables into two visual communication systems: cores of flexible cables and flexible cords, and cores of non-flexible cables and bare conductors. The former is the relatively well known system of brown for live, blue for neutral, and green and yellow for earth. In the latter however, three phase electricity (each one of the three core cables inside the main cable is 240V) is considered. Therefore there is a lack of consistency for the colour of a live wire between the systems.
Live of cores of flexible Live of ac single-phase Live of ac three-phase Live of ac three-
cables and flexible cords circuit or ac three-phase circuit phase circuit
circuit
The range of colour codes possible for a live wire both at Peguform and the wider industry.
Industrial Sockets
All sockets on the factory floor of Peguform follow a European standard colour coding system based on the voltage the power point delivers. Also, the extension leads from the sockets comply with the colour coding. The visual communication system is as follows.
Purple = 24V
Yellow = 110V
Blue = 240V
Red = 415V
Minimisation
Due to technological advances, components involved in electricity can be made increasingly smaller. This has led to the recent trend of minimisation. Colour coding systems are now required to represent numbering which would otherwise be too small to read easily and therefore safely. The table below indicates how numbers are represented by colour to exhibit information such as voltage and resistance on components and cable bands.
Above: a selection of “ minimised ” components showing the need for colour coding.
Marks and Symbols
The British Standards Institution is a prominent awarder of safety marks
in electrical safety. They are a non-profit making, independent body for the preparation of British Standards. Research into this area follows.
British Standard Associated Marks
Kitemark: This award displays that BSI has checked the manufacturer’s
claim that the product complies in every way with the standard quoted and
monitors the manufacturer’s production system.
Mark of the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board: This is a
valued award displayed on electrical equipment for being highly
safe.
Double insulation mark: An appliance having double insulation
and/or reinforced insulation throughout is depicted by this mark.
It displays the information that there is no provision for earthing.
Electrical Graphical Symbols
Any electrical plans that are used at Peguform are formed using the visual communication system of graphical symbols. All components and circuits can be represented from the system.
A selection of electrical graphical symbols from left to right: earth, fuse and heater.
Record of Progress and Evaluation of Research
All the relevant information required to meet the objectives of the study has been obtained and analysis is now possible. However, no reply was received from the letter sent to the British Standards Institution. To compensate for the loss of information, the research plan was adapted to include a letter to the Institute of Electrical Engineers.
Analysis
To epitomise, visual communication systems play a substantial role throughout electrical safety in the avoidance of injury. Research has shown a recurrent systematic theme, which is relevant to all areas:
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
An object or situation The user views the The user can act
is in place with a set visual communication safely with the
visual communication system and translates information obtained
system the information
Analysis of Questionnaire
- “ I feel safety signs convey their message well ”
Most people partially agree however there is a significant 30 % at the disagree end of the scale. This suggests the design and layout of safety signs would benefit from improvements.
- “ I feel the presence of safety signs is of value in industry ”
60 % of people value the presence of signs; implying their effectiveness is apparent.
3. “ Colour coding systems involved in electricity are easy to interpret ”
A high number of people partially agree with this statement displaying that colour coding systems are effective in interpretation.
4. “ Colour coding systems help to avoid injury from electricity ”
Regarding protection from electric shock, most people disagree mainly partially or otherwise totally. Therefore, the inference can be made that this visual communication system is not completely effective in this important safety requirement.
5. “ Electrical safety laws are clear and apparent to me ”
The majority of people asked partially agree indicating elements of electrical safety legislation are known. However, there is a notable frequency at the partially disagree and totally disagree end which translates as electrical safety details not being completely recognised within industry.
6. “ I feel protected by electrical safety laws ”
Most people partially agree and no one disagrees with the statement. This indicates that legislation is effective within visual communication systems in electrical safety.
7. “ I check electrical equipment for safety marks ”
Data collected illustrates a minority check electrical equipment for safety marks. This does suggest that they are taken for granted as the vast majority of electrical equipment used in industry displays some form of safety mark.
8. “ Electrical marks and symbols are easy to interpret ”
The effectiveness of the visual communication system is revealed by the graph which, shows most people totally agree with the statement.
Analysis of Safety Signs
The visual communication system of safety signs includes various aspects to attain the output of safe working through conveyance of a message.
Colour is certainly central due to an established system, enforced by law, which decides colouring by the function of the sign. Warning signs make use of yellow and black. This is certainly effective as these colours portray danger and harm particularly black which is often associated with death. Mandatory signs however apply a more neutral blue and white. As a result, the instruction is conveyed in an unthreatening manner, more comparable with a helpful guidance. Therefore the instruction does not seem overly authoritarian and is more likely to be practised.
Most safety signs are constructed from plastic. This material does not corrode and is robust enough to withstand an industrial environment. On the contrary, size is a distinct variable. Signs at Peguform came under no size regulation and were often inadequately suited to purpose. No legislation related to size. Similarly, positioning was often inappropriate for Peguform safety signs. Together with size, this appeared to hinder visibility.
Conclusions
Colour is indeed a strength of the visual communication system. Its use in conveying a message and legal surety can justify an identification as a model system. Utilisation throughout industry is possible with complete use of the system and modernisation of out dated signs. Plastic as a choice of material is also valid as it meets all the needs for a sometimes demanding industrial environment. Overall the safety sign system is effective as questionnaire results emphasise.
Weaknesses occur in the system due to size and positioning. Such downfalls could be overcome with improvements in legislation through creating unification and a relationship between purpose and size. Also, safety signs are not particularly hard hitting and would benefit from greater impact.
Analysis of Colour Coding
Colour translation is the process in this visual communication system which should result in the user acting safely. The system is highly important in electrical operations and is often depended on to avoid injury.
Electrical wiring colour coding is controlled by the IEE 16th Edition Wiring Regulations, which divides the system into two areas previously discussed. Consequently complications arise and a wide range of colours is used for a live wire. With identification of live being a key to safe working, increased consistency would improve safety. Such complications were probably the reason for a high disagree result in the questionnaire.
Peguform make use of the industrial socket colour coding system with every power point complying. This led to voltage delivery value being easily translated for the user and resulted in an effective system.
Colour coding systems as a direct result of minimisation were also investigated. A feature of this system is the use of the colours of the rainbow to represent the numbers two to seven. Users will probably be already more familiar with the order as a consequence, therefore reducing difficulty in memorisation and making the system more effective through human interpretation.
Conclusions
Strengths of the system arise from the industrial socket colour code. This visual communication system is widely used, invariable and achieves fitness for purpose. Rainbow colours in the minimisation system are also a notable benefit for human use by taking advantage of prior knowledge.
The principle downfall of this system is the lack of uniformity for the colour used to represent a live wire. As the regulations have a legal background this system is utilised throughout industry, not just at Peguform. A change in this sector would create a more uniform system that would improve safety.
Analysis of Marks and Symbols
Marks and symbols relate strongly to human interpretation to deliver information for the output of enabling the user to act safely.
BSI associated marks are awarded and displayed due to a high safety standard being achieved. Safety goes inline with quality in this area therefore such an award can translate as quality assurance. Specifically with the Kitemark, for which a condition of the award is that BSI monitors the manufacturer’s production system- making quality control more of a necessity.
Other BSI marks such as the safety mark of the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board are also awards. The design of this mark is complicated with more text than conventional marks. This gives the impression of a prestigious and valued award. BSI’s double insulation mark is not an award but exhibits the safety information of the appliance having double insulation. Its two square design implies the double aspect of double insulation.
Electrical plans use a graphical symbols visual communication system to represent all components and circuits. This eradicates any confusion by making everyone comply to a set system with no room for individual interpretation.
Conclusions
As questionnaire results display, marks and symbols relevant to electrical are effective in interpretation. The Kitemark has the strength of being widely recognised and along with the BEAB mark of safety, is valued by manufacturers. Graphical symbols are widely used and their simple design reduces confusion in the translation of information. It is a model system, which is utilised throughout industry by manufacturers such as Peguform.
A weakness of the system occurs in the design of the double insulation mark. It is not clearly associated with earthing which it is purposely designed to express. An improvement of this downfall could easily be utilised widely.
Evaluation
To achieve from the study and meet the original objectives, evaluation was carried out. Also accounted for in this section is a summary of my own approach to the study.
Evaluation of Safety Signs
The visual communication system of safety signs is already successful in aspects. Colour plays a role in the attainment of conveying an underlying message through colour association and human interpretation. Legislation ensures the system is constant so people have developed understanding of what safety signs convey.
However, research has also shown that the system is not without fault. Size and positioning are unregulated and often unsuited to purpose. Therefore I propose that regulations are established which relate to minimum sizes of signs. These would be reinforced with the formation of an EU Directive as its benefits have already been displayed in the colour area of the system. A feature of the regulations would be compulsory inspections by external officials to guarantee improvements. This proposal is possible for utilisation throughout industrial world.
Increased visual impact can be achieved with modifications to design. Added text such as “ danger of death ” on warning signs would increase effectiveness of a common visual communication system of the industrial world.
Evaluation of Colour Coding
The range of colours used for a live has been identified as a downfall. Uniformity could be secured if it was made law that the system used for identification of wires includes consistency for the colour of a live wire. Brown would be an effective choice of colour as it is already widely associated with live.
Industrial socket colour coding is already a successful constituent of the visual communication system. This is due to the design of the plugs and sockets. A plug will not physically fit into a socket unless its voltage value matches that of the socket. Colour coding simply reinforces to the user what voltage is being applied and therefore operates as an effective system.
The colour coding system used in minimisation is also already effective. It makes successful use of prior knowledge and familiarity to aid memorisation for those who work with electricity.
Evaluation of Marks and Symbols
Marks and symbols demonstrate their success by being well recognised and highly valued. Safety has become more necessary as a result of this visual communication system and the vast majority of appliances display some form of safety mark. Hence changes to award marks would hinder safety instead of forming improvements. Graphical symbols for electrical representation also displayed effectiveness as their relatively simple designs and removal of confusion and individual interpretation display their success as a visual communication system.
Alterations to the double insulation mark would though improve safety and be possible for utilisation throughout industry.Geen and yellow are traditionally associated with earthing and the inclusion of the colours would further improve the link with earthing and the mark.
Proposed improvement to the double insulation mark.
Green and yellow would strengthen the relationship with earthing, consequently assisting human use through interpretation.
Summary of My Approach to the Study
From the decision of system choice and the formation of objectives I was able to research. A range of information was collected from a variety of sources including an actual industrial environment. This information was edited and recorded for analysis and further evaluation. By this process I was able to carryout a study which led to proposed improvements.
An aspect that could be improved in future work would be to expand the study industrially. Different industrial sites could be compared and contrasted to obtain the wider picture of visual communication systems in electrical safety. Also future work may benefit from developing the investigation into the wider area of health and safety.
Bibliography
Peguform UK Limited
50 Kimpton Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
Health and Safety Executive
Sheffield Information Centre
Broad Lane
Sheffield
Institute of Electrical Engineers
Educational Activities
Michael Faraday House
Six Hills Way
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
“ Institute of Electrical Engineers 16th Edition Wiring Regulations ”
Produced by the Institute of Electrical Engineers
“ Graphical Symbols for Use in Schools and Colleges ”
British Standards Institution Publication
“ The Law of Health and Safety at Work ”
By Norman Selwyn
“ Foundation Physics ”
Cambridge Modular Sciences Publication
By Keith Gibbs and Robert Hutchings
“ Electronics for Today and Tomorrow ”
By Tom Duncan
Personnel who work with electricity on a daily basis
Questionnaire results
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000
CD-ROM
