In the workplace and in public settings, safety signs are an integral part of keeping a safe environment. Those signs might not seem like much, but they can convey a simple message of what to do, what not to do, and what to avoid.
There is a lot more to safety signs than meets the eye. In order to have the right safety signs for all situations and settings, it helps to know what they offer. Consider this your complete guide to safety signs in the workplace.
Why are Safety Signs Necessary?
Why do you need safety signs from a reputable vendor like RS in the first place? Whether in the workplace or outdoors, there are any number of hazards that can pop up if people are careless. Having safety signs intimates important safety protocols that can prevent accidents and injuries.
For businesses, the most important reason to have safety signs is to remain compliant with local guidelines and ordinances. Failing to do so can not only lead to potential injury but expensive fines as well. Safety signs wind up saving a business money in more ways than one.
What Safety Signs Do
How much can a safety sign really do? As it turns out, safety signs provide major value to the workplace for a number of reasons. Let’s look at the most important benefits of having safety signs around the workplace or outdoor area.
General information. Safety signs can convey basic and general information. This can include basic instructions, useful safety quotes, and basic general information that can be helpful in the workplace. For instance, in the industrial sector, safety signs will cover specific work topics as they pertain to operating lines or machinery, plus housekeeping signs to tell workers where proper sanitation and hygiene tools are.
Provide direction. Depending on the workplace, specific traffic patterns are needed. Safety signs can designate those paths and locations, areas like handwash stations, storage areas, and smoking areas. Barricade and exit signs tell people where they can and cannot go. The goal is to create a safe work zone, keeping people in line and pointing them to items from appropriate areas.
Potential dangers. Some safety signs are there to provide a warning of danger. These are color-coded depending on the level of risk and include wording that shows any potential hazards. These should be simple and to the point so that action can be taken in short order.
Where to Put Safety Signs
Without proper placement, even safety signs with proper wording and coloring can become ineffective. That’s why putting those safety signs in the right place is such an important factor. If you aren’t sure where to place those safety signs, here are a few helpful tips.
Any evacuation routes should have the proper evacuation signs. Add periods to all bullets when declaring specific declarations. Any exits from buildings or individual rooms should be clearly marked with exit signs that are red and white.
Any areas where food is being prepared will need to have food safety and hygiene signs. This is to ensure proper food handling and safety and prevent potential sanitation issues. Any hazardous materials should be labeled with HAZMAT designations so that anyone can know what the potential hazards are for.
Any equipment that could be potentially hazardous needs to have proper signage. Every sign needs to declare the potential dangers of using that machine and illustrate any safety protocols that should be used. Signs can tell anyone about the situation or setting, how to conduct themselves, and how to remain safe.