Posted By Tanya Boyce Our facillities people are wanting to put "danger hot water" signs above all hot water taps in a large building with many sinks. Personally I find this a bit overkill as hot water taps generally contain hot water. I can see why you might use them on taps which are at extreme temperatures. Can anyone tell me if there is any legisalitive reason for needing these signs at every hot water tap? Thanks in advance.

Posted By Barrie (Badger) Etter Tanya We have them in our place and yes it is overkill but with the water at +50 deg C to kill off legionella, some individuals may feel its at scalding level. Therefore they have to be reminded (providing they see / read the signs in the first place) that the water may be hotter than they anticipate. All comes down to political correctness &c. Badger

Posted By martinw Metter? Should have checked!

Posted By Colin Reeves See http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...iew&forum=1&thread=46177

Posted By FAH Hi Tanya Just to underline the previous responses, there are so many situations where the use of a sign is definitely not the best way to manage the perceived hazard - this is one of them. Those who use signs frequently fail to consider the following:- Has the sign actually addressed the foreseeable exposure of ALL persons who may foreseeably come into contact with it? Age, physical, physiological or mental disability etc all mitigate against any meaningful discovery and understanding of the sign. Can it actually be seen by the intended user? Can it be understood by the reader? Just what does "hot" mean"? Why haven't the owners of the hazard implemented a higher level of control as per MHSW Scedule 1 [for the UK]? In a previous response, the issues of legionella was cited as a possible reason for not imposing built-in temperature controls. But, in my opinion, if implemented immediately prior to the point of discharge, they're very effective but do not adversely affect the legionella control [of high temperatures] beyond that of "reasonably practicable". What has to be remembered at all times is that where one control measure may affect, or be affected by, another control measure; these control measures must be considered in a holistic RA that then enables a balanced outcome that shouldn't then generate a disproportionately higher level of harm without very thorough evidence to support it. Frank Hallett