In 2020, there were almost three million workplace injuries reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As such, it is important for companies to try and decrease risks in the workplace, and one easy way to do that is by strategically placed industrial safety signage. These signs are used to promote safety by informing people of potential dangers in particular areas, by equipment, or near hazardous materials. To put it simply, they communicate safety messages to those passing by.
Because safety signs are so important, companies must make sure that signs are being displayed properly, where important information can be seen clearly, and also follow current standards set by regulatory bodies. Employees should be able to glance at a sign and understand what it means. Safety signs are a necessary feature of industrial settings and considering the wellbeing of employees and companies are at stake, it’s important to know why, what, and how safety signs protect people in the workplace.
What are the Types of Industrial Safety Signs and their Meanings?
There are many different types of signs, and they all have specific meanings given to them by OSHA and ANSI. They created a system where all signs use the same designs, wording, positioning, and colors to ensure safety in the workplace. They are best classified by their primary use, and the following is a list of the most common signs and what they mean:
Danger – warns people of serious and potentially fatal threats. They are a combination of red, white, and black and have the word DANGER on the top.- Warning – indicates a hazard level that falls between caution and danger. Could result in injury or death if not avoided. Signs typically feature orange or yellow writing.
- Caution – warns against risks that may cause minor or moderate injury. They are required to have a yellow background and a black panel at the top with black borders and words. The top panel has the word CAUTION and will sometimes have a picture.
- Safety instruction – informs workers about policies and sometimes have instructions of hygiene practices, machine operations, and steps to shutdown equipment. They are required to be white with green at the top and white lettering.
- Biological Hazard signs – warns against the potential dangers of a biohazard or identify objects that could be contaminated and pose a risk to a person’s well-being.
- Admittance signs – explain who is allowed to enter certain areas. They are usually used in tandem with other types of signs, like caution or warning signs.
- No trespassing – explains who cannot enter certain areas.
- Fire safety – these signs label the locations of any emergency equipment of fire suppression systems, like a fire extinguisher. They do not have directions for operating the tools, they are only used to mark the location of them. They are made to be easily visible in case of emergencies and are required to have white lettering and pictures with a red background.
Notice or instructional signs – explain general information about equipment, different buildings and areas, machines, or proper procedures like what protective gear to use. They are just informational and aren’t used to indicate any risk of injury.- General safety signs – communicate safety instructions or procedures, like first aid practices, proper sanitation, how to use medical equipment, etc. They can be anything from road safety to no smoking signs.
- Exit signs – signify where entrances and exits are located. OSHA requires them to be displayed at any exit doors, intersection of hallways and stairways. The background is usually white with either red or green lettering. Minimum requirements are that the letters must be 6 inches high and 3 quarters of an inch wide, color requirements can vary.
- Traffic control signs – designate where drivers are allowed to park, where pedestrians can safely walk, and remind people the rules of the road.
- Safety symbols – these are usually used with other signs to give a picture description with text, but they can stand alone on a sign as well. They encompass anything from required or prohibited actions to consequences and directions.
- PPE signs – a good reminder for workers to wear proper gear and equipment like glasses, helmets, gloves, etc.
What are Regulatory Standards and Requirements for Industrial Safety Signage?
Safety signs are regulated by three different bodies: OSHA, ANSI, and the Department of Defense, which issues military standards. OSHA is generally considered the main regulator of safety signs, since workplaces are the most common place for them to be used. OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and they are a federal agency that ensures safe and healthy working conditions in the U.S. by creating regulations that promote workplace safety. Below are some of the most important regulations regarding industrial safety signage:
- Safety signs are required to have rounded corners to avoid sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp protrusions. The ends of bolts or other types of fastenings need to be attached in a way that they don’t become a hazard.
- Signs need to be made from materials that are suitable for the location they’re posted in to be considered compliant. Because of this, industrial safety signage is usually made of aluminum or tough plastic.
- Wording on signs must be visible and easy to read, this means that signs are usually required to be posted 5 feet away from potential hazards so signal words can be read. Signal words are words that capture people’s attention immediately, like the word danger or caution.
OSHA and ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, created standards to allocate meaning to colors to help ensure that signs are consistent across companies and industries. They created a universal language that’s easier to learn and understand for employees. The following is a list of the various colors and what meaning they are meant to convey:
- Red is used on DANGER and STOP signs to express that there’s a high risk of danger that can lead to injury or even death. Red can also be used on fire suppression equipment and emergency alarms to increase visibility.
- Orange is used for WARNING signs to express that there is a moderate risk of danger for workers to be aware of.
- Yellow is used for CAUTION signs. Examples of caution signs are no trespassing signs, flammable material storage containers, and doorway obstructions.
- Fluorescent orange, sometimes orange red, with contrasting lettering is used to mark biological hazards.
- Green is typically used to mark the location of first aid stations and safety equipment.
- A blue background demonstrates when pieces of equipment are being repaired and should not be started or moved.
- Purple is used to mark radioactive material and hazards and it’s typically on a yellow background with a picture on it stating that it’s a hazard.
What are the Placement and Visibility Guidelines of Industrial Safety Signage?
Proper placement of safety signs is vital for keeping people safe. The ideal way to make sure you’re being compliant is by checking your local standards as well as checking OSHA standards. Depending on your local requirements you might need different signs, but you can get started by checking this basic list to see if your signage meets these standards:
- Exits must be marked with red and white exit signs.
- Restrooms need to be identified with restroom signs.
- Evacuation routes are marked with the correct signs.
- Anywhere food is prepared needs to have hygiene signs displayed as well as food safety signs.
- Any hazardous materials have to be labeled with HAZMAT designations.
- Most signs need to be posted about five feet away from any hazards.
Luminescence is also a major consideration for safety signs. They have two primary finishes to choose from: photo-luminescent or retro-reflective. Photo-luminescent safety signs are made of a material that emits light after being exposed to it, which allows for better visibility. Retro-reflective safety signs reflect light back to the source it came from. The majority of traffic signs are retro-reflective so they can be easier to see at night.
What are the Benefits of Safety Signage?
Industrial safety signs are a vital feature in the workplace and having them around has some great benefits. The most obvious and important reason is that they promote safety and in turn, help prevent injuries to workers. While preventing injury is the goal, unfortunately errors and mistakes can happen and lead to injuries despite prevention efforts. This is another reason signs are important; they can help reduce the liability for companies. By utilizing industrial safety signs, companies are helping to ensure that workers are being notified of the risks of the machines they operate, potential chemical hazards around them, necessary safety gear they should be wearing (like glasses or ear plugs), etc. Safety signs are a great way to make sure everybody is protected, employees and companies alike. One final benefit of signs is that they also assist with directing people, like providing safe routes, informing people of what areas have safety risks, and label the locations of emergency equipment like fire extinguishers or AEDs.
Work with a Trusted Printing Company for Industrial Safety Signage
Having safety signs in your workplace is a vital aspect to keeping employees and bystanders safe. It is important to work with a trusted printing company to make sure you are getting quality signs that meet all local standards and regulations in your area. You want to look for several important key factors in signage. Make sure to prioritize durability by looking for signs with the required resilience to withstand normal operating conditions. Readability is another principal aspect of safety signage. The lettering on signs must be large and thick enough to meet certain specifications which help ensure visibility from various distances, and the size of the sign itself matters. You also want to consider things like finish options and attachment options to help with the longevity and visibility of your signs. A reputable printing company can provide proper safety signage for your workplace.
