It does not provide information on temporary health and safety signs required during the build or refits of ships or equipment. Such signs are the responsibility of the shipbuilder or ship repairer.

This Def Stan applies the policy of the Secretary of State for Defence to comply with the Health and Safety legislation where it applies for safety signs and colours. The regulation requires specific safety signs to be provided whenever there is a risk that has not been avoided or controlled by other means. A safety assessment must be conducted to determine the correct signage to be used.

It is to be applied as required by any Ministry of Defence contract where safety signs are specified and is applicable to:

a) Surface Ships, Submarines, RFAs and miscellaneous small auxiliaries;

b) Ship Systems and Equipment and Weapon Systems and Equipment.

NOTE Shore establishments are to follow legislation in its entirety.

Accordingly, as an example of best practice, the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 and relevant declarations under IMO SOLAS treaties are to be applied to Surface Ships, Submarines, RFAs and miscellaneous small auxiliaries. This Def Stan details or provides reference to approved permanent safety signs, pictograms, supplementary signs, colours and methods of marking to be used.

It refers to many of the hazards that can be met in a ship environment and states requirements for marking equipment and structures where considered necessary for health and safety purposes.

It does not provide information on temporary health and safety signs required during the build or refits of ships or equipment. Such signs are the responsibility of the shipbuilder or ship repairer.

It does not provide information regarding the marking or the packaging of any material including ammunition or of the ammunition itself.

This Def Stan enforces the requirements of the various regulations.