Workplace safety has improved dramatically in recent decades-worker injuries and illnesses have decreased from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to three incidents per 100 workers in 2015-yet work remains to be done.
Safety signage can play a critical role in promoting safety and preventing injuries. Many of us associate safety signs with basic "Warning" and "Caution" labels, but they can go beyond the immediate warnings to include hidden benefits that keep workers safe in a variety of conditions. From wayfinding to PPE, here are five ways safety signage helps workers.
At its core, wayfinding is designed to shuttle users from Point A to Point B. But users can also benefit from safety messages as they navigate facilities of all sizes. Here's how wayfinding can help users stay safe on the job.
OSHA has several rules and regulations for communicating emergency egress routes. The rules, found in 29 CFR 1910.37, explains how visual communication should lead employees to emergency exits.
OSHA's standard for electrical safety (29 CFR 1910.303) doesn't specifically mention arc flash labels, but the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace is a widely-accepted approach for keeping workers safe with clear visual communication.
The NFPA 70E standard includes requirements for electrical safety signage that, in addition to obvious warnings, can provide a wealth of information. Per the NFPA 70E standard, workplace electrical equipment should be labeled with the following:
Safety signs don't just warn of hazards; they provide guidance on mitigating danger and promote safe work practices. Use signage to identify which types of PPE should be worn in a given area. Here are a few ideas for suggesting PPE, as well as scenarios when each might come in handy:
Equipment requires routine maintenance, service, inspection, and repair. Here's how safety signage can help workers stay safe around equipment in need of service:
Print safety signage and labels suited to your facility's unique needs with DuraLabel industrial label and sign printers by Duralabel. Our printers accommodate various supplies, sizes, and types of signs, helping you comply with regulations while keeping workers safe.
Use your printer with more than 50 labeling supplies tailored to numerous application-specific uses. We carry supplies that stand up to abrasive and uneven conditions, shine in low-light areas, and resist common workplace hazards, including oil, grease, and solvents.
Complement your custom signs with our selection of premade safety signs, bearing numerous important messages and available in various materials and sizes.