Workplaces are safer than ever, but challenges remain: In 2014, nearly three million nonfatal workplace injuries were reported by private industry employers, and more than 4,600 workers were killed on the job.
Yet proper safety signage can have an enormous impact on curbing these troubling statistics. Effective visual communication can raise awareness of workplace hazards to reduce risks and promote safety in a simple, affordable, and efficient manner.
OSHA 1910.145 is the agency's specification for signs and tags that identify hazards which could harm people or cause property damage. The standard specifies design requirements and when to use safety signs; these elements are developed further in the ANSI Z535 standard, which uses alert symbols and pictograms to communicate hazards.
This article explains why you should use safety signs throughout your facility, how they can help, and how to use safety signs most effectively.
Adequate safety signage has numerous benefits for facilities large and small.
In short: Use safety signs and labels whenever hazards are present-or whenever they may be present-in your facility. But which signs should you use to denote hazards?
OSHA and ANSI have established three primary severity classifications for safety signs. The following types of signs correspond to the severity of hazards present (or potentially present) and can be used to guide your facility's decision-making process:
A secondary hazard classification exists for biological hazards.These signs signify the actual or potential presence of biohazards and assets (containers, equipment, rooms, materials, and more) where biological hazards like potentially infectious material may pose a risk to workers.
Read more about required colors, symbols, and messages on safety signs. Duralabel has also produced an infographic that broadly outlines ANSI Z535 design standards.
Several other signs help employees stay safe without alerting them to specific hazards. They include:
Additionally, non-hazard signs communicate broad facility information, usually through simple text and clear symbols. These should never be used to describe hazards or risks, but rather to convey wayfinding directions, work procedures, general information, and more. These are not classified as safety signs but nevertheless contribute to workplace safety.
If you're deciding where to put signs at certain points in your facility, consider asking the following questions:
Labeling, signage, and visual communication are vital components of a safe work environment. Customized or site-specific messages can alert workers to hazards, promote safe behavior, and reduce workplace accidents.
DuraLabel industrial label and sign printers by Duralabel can help you develop strong custom visual communication that keeps workers safe and invested in a culture of safety. DuraLabel printers can be used with more than 50 supplies suited to unique facility environments, including Ultra-Aggressive Vinyl for abrasive or uneven surfaces, Reflective or Phosphorescent material for low-light areas, Marine Label Stock that stands up to saltwater exposure, Oily Surface Supply for greasy environments, and Cold Storage Supply for refrigerated settings.
For more in-depth information, request your free Best Practice Guide to OSHA Safety Signs. The guide provides an overview on labeling in accordance with OSHA and ANSI standards, instructions for creating custom signs, and more.
Duralabel also carries a wide selection of premade safety signs, available in various materials and sizes.
Need help figuring out what exactly your facility needs? Duralabel offers an on-site Safety Compliance Service. A certified safety professional can review your labeling and signage efforts, offer recommendations for effective visual communication, and offer solutions for improving safety throughout your facility.
Not ready to enlist our services for safety compliance? Download our free OSHA Safety Sign Guide below to conduct your own basic facility audit.