Q: What does caution mean?

Caution means ‘the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger,’ according to the dictionary. This is certainly accurate in general, but when it comes to practical situations, such as the workplace, caution can have a much more nuanced meaning. Understanding what caution means in a given environment is very important for keeping everyone safe. Caution in the Workplace All employees and other people in a facility need to exercise caution at all times to ensure everyone is kept safe. What this means will be dramatically different depending on what types of potential hazards there are in a given area. For example, one common way of showing caution in the workplace is by using established best practices or strategies to help minimize risk. For example, using the ‘lockout-tagout’ process is an effective way to exercise caution when working on potentially dangerous machines. There are, of course, many other examples of ways a company can take caution to help keep everyone safe. Visual Communication and Caution When there is a hazard in an area it is important to let people know so that they can take extra caution. In the workplace, this is often done using visual communication methods. Visual communication options include things like safety signs, labeling, tags, and more. Even something as simple as putting up a yield sign in an area where workplace vehicles and people may intersect can help to improve the safety of everyone in the area. No matter how a warning is communicated in the workplace, it is important to ensure that everyone is aware of it. This typically means providing standard workplace safety training to ensure all employees are on the same page in this area. Also, using standard symbols, safety words, compliant pictograms, and other items will help ensure even those who are just visiting an area will recognize the need to take caution,

Question 1

How high does a fire extinguisher sign need to be?

Accepted Answer

Fire extinguishers are an important safety item in every facility. In order to be effective, however, it is important to ensure that people are able to find them in an emergency. Even if you walk buy a fire extinguisher every day, when the stress of an emergency hits, you might not remember precisely where it is located. This can result in a delay in action, and that could be a disaster. This is why in addition to hanging fire extinguishers in public areas, there are also signs that can help grab people&rsquo;s attention. Where to Hang a Fire Extinguisher Sign When putting up signs for fire extinguishers it is important to think about where people will be when looking for them. This often means making them visible above partitions, around doors, and from some distance. Because of this, there is not a set height at which the sign needs to be placed. Instead, it simply needs to be placed in a location where it can be easily seen. The following are some common areas where a sign can be effectively hung: Near the Ceiling &ndash; One of the most common locations for a sign like this is near the ceiling directly above the fire extinguisher itself. This will make it easy to see from the surrounding area. Around a Partition &ndash; When an extinguisher is hung on a partition, it makes sense to put signs on each side of it to ensure it can be seen from all directions. Nearby (with Arrows) &ndash; Putting up signs down the hall, or around the corner, from the actual fire extinguisher can be a good idea, but only if the sign has arrows pointing people where to go. OSHA and other safety organizations don&rsquo;t have strict rules on exactly where these signs need to be placed. Instead, they simply say that a facility must make it clear where fire suppression equipment is kept so that it is easy to access in an emergency.

Question 2

How high should ADA signs be posted?

Accepted Answer

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is set up to help ensure people with disabilities are not unjustly restricted. Part of this act provides guidelines on how various types of signs should be posted so that those with disabilities can easily read them. While this is a good thing in general, it can be difficult for companies to know exactly how to comply because the laws and regulations can be so complicated. When it comes to how high ADA signs should be posted, the answer is actually quite simple. Minimum Height for ADA Signs The lowest point on an ADA sign has to be at least 48&rsquo;&rsquo; from the floor or the ground. By making the lowest point at a set level it will allow multiple different signs with different dimensions to be hung at the same height, which will look the best. Placing these signs below this level can make it hard for people to see, especially if they are in a wheelchair or have other disabilities. Maximum Height for ADA Signs The highest point that an ADA sign can be hung is 60&rsquo;&rsquo; from the floor or ground. This helps to prevent a sign from being hung so high that it is difficult to see. In most cases, signs hung at this level will also be easy to read for everyone else in a facility, so it is not at all inconvenient for employees. Easy to Hang Signs While it is important to remain in compliance with these ADA regulations, it won&rsquo;t be a problem for companies. Many businesses do not like regulations because they can be costly, time consuming, and difficult to comply with. In this case, however, these standards are easy to follow since they won&rsquo;t require any type of ladder or other special equipment to mount a sign at these levels.

Question 3

What do black and white traffic signs mean?

Accepted Answer

When driving down any public road in the United States, you will see a lot of different signs. There are different categories of signs, and each category will typically have a set color scheme to help drivers quickly identify their meaning. Black and white traffic signs are almost always going to provide drivers with regulations in that specific area regarding how they must drive. Speed Limit Signs The most common example of a black and white traffic sign is the speed limit sign. This will let drivers know the speed at which they should be traveling. Anyone who is found to be exceeding the speed limit will be subject to getting pulled over and ticketed. Directional Signs If a lane is closing, a sign may indicate to keep left or merge right depending on the situation. These types of signs will typically be in black and white. If the closing is due to construction, there may be an orange sign to show the construction is starting, and a black and white one to give the instructions. Passing Signs Signs that let drivers know when they can pass slower traffic should also be in black and white. These are very common on two lane roads where there are not a lot of lights or stops. In these situations, faster drivers need to cross into a lane for oncoming traffic in order to pass. The signs help ensure a driver only does this in an area where it is safe. There are many other signs that will be black and white, all of which should provide clear instructions to drivers to help ensure they are following the local regulations. Black and white signs are typically easy to read because of the high contrast, and even during the night they can be seen clearly thanks to reflective materials that are used.

Question 4

What are 'Safety Zone' signs?

Accepted Answer

Workplace safety is an important priority in every industry. In facilities where injuries are more common, or more serious, a lot more attention is typically paid to keep people safe. In many situations it may be necessary to designate specific areas where safety is of critical importance. In these areas, it is not uncommon for companies to put up safety zone signs. What is a Safety Zone? In most cases, a safety zone is going to be an area of a roadway where pedestrians are given the right of way. These are often curbed areas, which can help prevent vehicles from entering them even on accident. The point of safety zones in public areas is to help ensure people and vehicles aren&rsquo;t attempting to travel in the same areas, which can be very dangerous. What Goes on A Safety Zone Sign? A safety zone sign can be as simple as a red sign with white letters that says, &ldquo;SAFETY ZONE.&rdquo; It can also be more detailed and include information about the safety area. For example, in many private areas people will put up a safety zone sign that alerts people that there is no trespassing, no shooting, no hunting, and no fishing within a specific area. This is important to help keep people off of property where they could otherwise get hurt. In the workplace, a safety zone sign may indicate that people are not to enter an area with electrical equipment, magnetic items, hazardous chemicals, or other items. Putting up a sign to remind everyone that they need to take extra precautions before entering an area is a fast, easy, and effective way to reduce the risk of accident or injury in the workplace. Creating Safety Zone Signs Safety zone signs often need to be customized in order to convey the exact information that is required. When this is the case, many companies will choose to use an industrial label or sign printer. These printers can create a sign with the right text, proper images, and the desired colors in order to convey the message that is needed. There are also places that sell generic, or even custom, safety signs if a company would rather order them from a third party.

Question 5

How can facilities get signs made?

Accepted Answer

Signs are used for many different things in the workplace. Finding a good way to get the exact signs that are needed is important in most industries. There are quite a few different options to choose from, and the best ones will depend on the specific requirements. Whenever looking for a good place to get signs made, it will be necessary to factor in a number of different things including the quality of the signs, customizations, price, delivery time, and more. In general, there will be three main options. Create Signs In-House Creating signs in-house is a very popular option in manufacturing, warehousing, and other industries where it is often necessary to create customized safety signs. The details on how these signs are made will depend on the specific situation. In general, however, an industrial label printer is used to print off the sign onto vinyl or other long-lasting materials. This can then be applied to a wall, machine, or a firm surface to be used as a sign. The major benefit of this is that the cost per sign is very low, there is virtually no delay when a sign is needed, and the signs can be fully customized. Order Pre-Made Signs Ordering pre-made signs is a great option for many situations. If your facility has a need for a very common sign, this will be a fast and affordable option. Common signs that can be pre-ordered include things like exit signs, fire extinguisher signs, safety signs, and other items that will be in demand throughout many different environments. Order Custom Signs The last option is to order custom printed signs. These will come from a third-party printshop company that can create the exact signage you need and ship it to your facility. The advantage here is that you don&rsquo;t have to worry about the design, picking the materials, or anything like that. You simply put in the order for what you need, and they will take care of the rest. The downside is that this option is more expensive than the others. In the end, many companies will actually use all three of these options depending on the situation in question.

Question 6

What is a yield sign?

Accepted Answer

A yield sign is most commonly used on roadways and other areas where there is vehicle traffic. The sign is intended to alert drivers and pedestrians that they need to yield the right of way to another party. These signs will typically be found at an intersection where there is not a huge amount of traffic at any given time. According to most traffic laws in the US, drivers who approach a yield sign need to slow down, check to see if there is any traffic coming on the cross-street, and then proceed. There is generally no need to stop unless there is another vehicle approaching. Yield Sign vs Yellow Light A yield sign is often compared to a yellow traffic light, but that is actually an inaccurate comparison. The yellow traffic light indicates that the light is about to turn red, and so approaching vehicles either need to stop completely, or quickly proceed through the intersection. Even a flashing yellow light generally means that the oncoming traffic has the right of way, and it is the opposing traffic that needs to yield the right of way. Appearance of a Yield Sign In the United States, a yield sign will always be a triangle, with one point facing down. The triangle will have a red outline around the outside, and a white center. In many cases, the word YIELD will be written in black against the white background. This design has changed over the years, with yellow yield signs being the standard up until the 1970s. Yield Signs in Work Facilities In many workplaces there will also be yield signs to let people know that they need to watch out for potential dangers. These signs are typically intended to provide instructions to the drivers of high-lows, forklifts, and other equipment. In many cases these vehicles will be traveling in areas where pedestrians are walking, and it is best to have the vehicles yield the right of way. This can help ensure everyone in the area is able to remain safer than would otherwise be possible.

Question 7

What does caution mean?

Accepted Answer

Caution means &lsquo;the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger,&rsquo; according to the dictionary.  This is certainly accurate in general, but when it comes to practical situations, such as the workplace, caution can have a much more nuanced meaning. Understanding what caution means in a given environment is very important for keeping everyone safe. Caution in the Workplace All employees and other people in a facility need to exercise caution at all times to ensure everyone is kept safe. What this means will be dramatically different depending on what types of potential hazards there are in a given area. For example, one common way of showing caution in the workplace is by using established best practices or strategies to help minimize risk. For example, using the &lsquo;lockout-tagout&rsquo; process is an effective way to exercise caution when working on potentially dangerous machines. There are, of course, many other examples of ways a company can take caution to help keep everyone safe. Visual Communication and Caution When there is a hazard in an area it is important to let people know so that they can take extra caution. In the workplace, this is often done using visual communication methods. Visual communication options include things like safety signs, labeling, tags, and more. Even something as simple as putting up a yield sign in an area where workplace vehicles and people may intersect can help to improve the safety of everyone in the area. No matter how a warning is communicated in the workplace, it is important to ensure that everyone is aware of it. This typically means providing standard workplace safety training to ensure all employees are on the same page in this area. Also, using standard symbols, safety words, compliant pictograms, and other items will help ensure even those who are just visiting an area will recognize the need to take caution,

Question 8

What color is a yield sign?

Accepted Answer

Of all the traffic signs that people see on a daily basis, there is the most confusion about what a yield sign actually looks like. When asked what color is a yield sign, quite a large number of people respond that they believe that it is yellow. The fact is, however, that standard yield signs in the US are actually red and white. In fact, yield signs in most countries are red and white, though some places do include yellow or blue. Much of the confusion likely stems from the fact that yellow lights on a traffic light are often confused to mean yield. Yellow lights do not actually mean yield, but just that the light will quickly be changing to red, so drivers need to either get all the way through the intersection, or stop, before the light changes. Some Yellow Yield Signs Another thing that adds to the confusion is that many signs that indicate that drivers need to yield are actually yellow. This is the case with cross-walk signs, many types of construction signs, and more. Another interesting fact is that in the United States, yield signs were actually yellow and black from about 1950 until 1971. All yield signs made from 1971 forward in the US would follow the modern agreed upon design, which was the red and white triangle. Of course, it would have taken some time for all old signs to be replaced. So there are many people who have memory of the yellow yield signs. Private Yield Signs One more important thing to note is that while all yield signs on public roadways in the US today should be red and white, some private organizations still use yellow signs. These can be used to help manage workplace safety with vehicles like forklifts, high-lows, and others. Even in private business locations, however, the standard has moved to using red and white.

Question 9

What are different types of construction safety signs?

Accepted Answer

Construction sites can easily be one of the most dangerous types of workplaces and could benefit a great deal from safety signs. Both employers working in the construction site and pedestrians passing by can be at risk and signs can protect both parties. Hazards that can be commonly found in a construction zone include falling objects, electrocution, asbestos, excavation accidents, automobile accidents, general machine hazards, and many more. There are many different signs that can be used in a construction zone. Signs commonly used in construction sites include the following: This sign is primarily aimed at pedestrians to alert only authorized personnel should be in this area. This will keep those passing by to keep out of hazardous areas that could result in serious injury. Signs similar to this should be posted outside and near the construction site to ensure the message is understood. This construction sign includes four different safety practices to use while in the construction site: authorized personnel the only ones permitted, hard hats, boots, and hi-vis vests/jackets must be worn at all times, a reminder to the worker to watch for falling debris, and finally that all visitors must report to the sight office. A staple that can be found in in nearly every construction site is a hard hat. Employees should be reminded of their PPE training and mark areas that require hard hats such as areas with the risk of falling objects. Other signs can include &ldquo;Road Work Ahead&rdquo; signs, signs warning of flaggers, and signs alerting people of a fall hazard. Because there are five different varieties of safety sign materials, there is a perfect material for different types of construction zones. For instance, the sign will be outdoors in harsh weather, the aluminum sign would be an ideal option. Drivers, pedestrians, workers, and visitors will all feel safer.

Question 10

What can I use floor signs for?

Accepted Answer

It may not seem like it, but the floor is one of the best areas to put down a safety sign. Industrial floor signs were developed to be durable and withstand forklift traffic, heavy pedestrian traffic. The floor signs here at Creative Safety Supply are made with an extremely strong adhesive backing that will stay attached to floors for years. Installing floor signs is a simple task, simply peel off the backing and place on the desired area of the floor. The following are just a few uses for safety floor signs. First aid signs: If someone is dealing with an injury or an emergency, it can be easy to forget where certain safeguards are located. Using visual communication is an ideal choice to remind workers of these safeguards and their own safety training. Floor signs can be placed under, near, or on the path to emergency eyewash stations, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, alarms, emergency shutoff panels, etc. PPE signs: Signs instructing workers to don PPE is an ideal reminder to be used along with PPE wall signs. These signs can be placed in front of areas that require PPE to give the employee a warning they will need to put on their equipment before entering Navigation: Arrow shaped floor signs can be used to direct places such as emergency exits, safety stations, fire escapes, evacuation routes, etc. This will not only be a helpful reminder to workers in cases of emergency, but it can also be helpful for visitors in the facility. Traffic control signs: Industrial traffic in a warehouse or facility can pose a severe danger to pedestrians. Floor signs resembling road signs like &ldquo;Stop&rdquo; and &ldquo;Wrong way&rdquo; can help to alert drivers of rules for driving the facility. Use a sign to remind pedestrians to look both ways before crossing an aisle can keep people aware and reduce struck-by accidents in the workplace.

Question 11

What does it mean to have OSHA/ANSI compliant signs?

Accepted Answer

OSHA and ANSI have a set of standards regarding safety signs used to alert workers of hazardous situations and give information in regard to safety. A facility will need pipe markers, safety signs to mark hazards, first aid signs, fire equipment signs, and more. OSHA/ANSI standards have developed standards regarding color of the signs, format of a sign, and the text that will need to be included in the sign. According to the ANSI Z535 standard, a sign should consist of a combination of the following four elements: Safety alert symbol: This symbol should be used when personal risk is present only, not when there is risk of property or equipment damage. Signal word: A singular word printed at the top of signs and is meant to communicate quickly the gist of the sign. Signal words include DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, NOTICE, and SAFETY. Symbols: Symbols should be easy to understand and accurate. There are several standardized, universally understood symbols that are commonly found throughout industries. Word messages: In addition to the signal word, this message should be a more concise message that only contains the necessary information and has no factual errors. Additional information can be a hazard description or emergency info. Examples of commonly used phrases include phrases like &ldquo;Watch Your Step&rdquo; or &ldquo;Eye Protection Required&rdquo;. OSHA/ANSI have standards when it comes to the header color of a sign. Danger signs have a red header, warning signs use orange, yellow is for caution signs, notice signs have a blue header and safety instruction signs feature a green color. These signs must be properly placed in accordance to the findings of a job hazard analysis. The ANSI Z535 standard also covers product safety labels, safety tags, barricade tapes, product safety information and product safety instructions. Read more about ANSI Z535 here.

Question 12

What are different road or traffic control safety signs?

Accepted Answer

Facilities that have warehouse traffic or busy parking lots will need to invest in road and traffic control safety signs. These signs will guide people along the safest route, inform them of hazards, and alert of unsafe areas to park. Warehouse traffic: Facilities and warehouses are often filled with forklift, industrial vehicle, and pedestrian traffic traveling in close quarters. It is important pedestrians are kept safe as an incident involving a worker and a vehicle can lead to serious injury or even death. Lay down floor signs and post wall signs to alert pedestrians they are entering an area with forklift traffic. Reminders that pedestrians to wear hi-vis safety vests should also be installed in these areas. As for forklift traffic safety, many of the signs to control industrial traffic are very similar to traffic signs you would see on the roadway. Stop signs, yield signs, wrong way signs, do not enter signs, and speed limit signs are all great traffic control options and will add order to the workplace. Forklift operators can also benefit from signs reminding them of areas not to enter with a forklift, and there are similar signs prohibiting pedestrian traffic. Floor tape can be used in conjunction with safety wall and floor signs to create distinct aisles for both pedestrians and industrial vehicles. Tape can also be used to mark off appropriate spots for forklifts and create crosswalks. Outdoor spots: Places with busy parking lots may need to invest in traffic control signs. Post speed limit signs to ensure no one is speeding in the lot and post visible signs to ensure cars will not block emergency exits or fire lanes. Other areas that would greatly benefit from safety signs are loading and dock areas. Workers should be kept alert of traffic coming and going, and the best safety practices to use in these areas.

Question 13

What should I avoid in a safety sign?

Accepted Answer

Safety signs and labels are only effective I they can be easily understood by an employee. The following are best practices to avoid common mistakes when posting safety signs in the workplace: Place signs where the can be seen: Signs that are placed too high will not be seen by workers, and warning labels on the back of a machine are completely ineffective. Place signs at a safe viewing distance, ensure signs will be seen from a worker&rsquo;s point of view, and ensure signs are placed in well-lit areas. If a sign is needed in low-light, use a reflective sign. Details matter: A facility should not post safety signs with a vague message. For instance, a sign reading &ldquo;DANGER: Confined Space&rdquo; is too vague, but a sign that reads &ldquo;DANGER: Confined Space. Enter by permit only&rdquo; along with a symbol is a much more comprehensive and effective safety sign. Include symbols and safety instructions on the sign to ensure they&rsquo;re properly understood. But not too many details: While safety signs should be detailed, it should not be overly detailed. Signs should not be so text heavy it makes it hard to understand or complicated for the workers. Keep signs and labels maintained: Dirty, torn, or otherwise compromised signs are hard to read and overall extremely ineffective. Maintaining signs and labels should be considered a task completed when machines, equipment, and the workplace is cleaned. Not only are clean signs more effective for safety in the workplace, signs will last much longer. Provide signs in more than one language: If workers speak more than one language, or workers are present where English is their second language, ensure they&rsquo;re not left in the dark by providing safety and instructional signs in both English and the other language. Commonly workplaces have employees who speak Spanish and having English/Spanish signs will communicate with everyone in the workplace. Purchase or create signs that stand out: Workers will not pay attention to a safety sign blended into the wall. Signs should be bold and feature rich colors, so signs will be easily seen.

Question 14

What do different colors of safety signs mean?

Accepted Answer

Like symbols, colors can help quickly communicate a message with just a glance. This should be included in the safety sign training and employees should have a comprehensive knowledge of what colors indicate in a safety sign. The following colors are used for certain situations as recommended by the ANSI Z535.1 code and OSHA standards: Red: Red is reserved for danger signs and labels. This color signifies a hazardous situation, alerts people they need to stop, or mark off restricted areas. OSHA says red will be the basic color for identifying fire protection equipment and apparatus. Orange: Used to alert people the fact there is dangerous parts of a machine or equipment. Most commonly used with labels that are placed directly on the machinery, but is also used for wall signs, specifically warning signs. Yellow: Yellow signs are used anywhere that caution needs to be used, specifically physical hazards. This includes risks of tripping, falling, getting burned, being caught in a pinch point, experiencing hearing damage, and almost any other common hazard that may be present. Green: Green is safety related and means there is no danger present. This color is commonly used for first aid signs or signs indicating exits. Blue: Provides information about a particular item or area. This information doesn&rsquo;t necessarily have to be safety related, such as property policies. Blue signs are also used for signs depicting mandatory actions by the employee and notice signs. Magenta &amp; Yellow: These signs using magenta text on a yellow background is used for radioactive materials or equipment that produces radiation. Black &amp; White: Used for guiding traffic or telling people which direction to go. Could also be used for housekeeping information in the facility. While not specifically safety related, having this type of signage can directly improve the safety of the facility.

Question 15

What are examples of fire safety signs?

Accepted Answer

Fires can be extremely unpredictable and cause severe damage to property and result in serious injury to workers, or even death. OSHA requires employers to create a written fire prevention plan that includes the identification of fire hazards, train employees on fire safety, and have a proper fire suppression strategy. Fire safety signs are important in keeping workers informed on where necessary equipment is kept and knowledgeable of fire safety practices. Other items and areas in a facility that should be marked with safety signs and labels include the location of fire alarm pull stations, the fire sprinkler system, fire lanes, fire hoses, flammable liquids and gasses, and areas where if someone lights a cigarette, the risk of fire is severe.  One crucial part of fire safety signs is to ensure workers are following proper safety practices and blocking items that is needed in fire emergencies or blocking the routes to safety. &nbsp; Clearly mark fire extinguishers and their location, ensuring the extinguisher willnot be blocked and can be easily located in the case of an emergency. The same concept should be applied for fire hose connections so emergency responders can easily and quickly find the connection. The signs can be placed on the wall under the extinguisher or on the floor to keep workers from placing equipment on the floor in front of the extinguisher or fire hose connectors. &nbsp; All fire exits and emergency evacuation areas should be marked with both wall signs and floor signs. In cases of low-lit areas, reflective signs used along with photoluminescent tape to clearly mark evacuation paths. In cases of fire-related emergency, people need to be able to quickly find the nearest and safest route out of the building.This sign for example comes in a variety of sizes, different adhesives, and levels of durability.

Question 16

What are different materials of safety signs?

Accepted Answer

One safety sign material does not fit all workplaces! Because of how crucial safety signs and visual communication is, it is important to choose appropriate signs for different areas of the workplace. &nbsp;Here are Creative Safety Supply, we offer our wall signs in five different materials for wall signs, with different durability levels and mounting options depending on the needs of a facility. The five materials to choose from include: Permanent Vinyl These signs features a strong and durable adhesive and works like a sticker or decal. Removable Vinyl This vinyl sign features easy-to-remove adhesive and is ideal for temporary signs.&nbsp; PVC Plastic A lightweight, yet durable alternative. Use in locations where you want a thicker sign material. Aluminum These signs will hold up in virtually any workplace; comes with pre-drilled holes for easy installation.&nbsp; Magnetic Featuring a magnetic backing, these signs can be placed on machines, forklifts, electrical panels, etc.&nbsp; The first step in choosing signs for your workplace is to take a walk around your facility. During the walk, identify where you want to post signs like hazardous areas, spots with heavy traffic, work cells, etc. Be sure to make a note of any circumstances that may require a specific sign materials or a more durable sign. For instance, if you want to post a parking sign outdoors, you will want to order an aluminum sign. However, if you need a sign to post in the lunch room, a vinyl sign with adhesive backing will do the trick. Removable vinyl allows you to create temporary signs, perfect for out-of-order machines or equipment temporarily being worked on.&nbsp; Every wall sign offered by Creative Safety Supply can be printed on any of the five materials to fit the needs of your facility. Want even more options? We can also turn any wall sign into a label or heavy-duty floor sign.

Question 17

Where are safety signs needed?

Accepted Answer

Safety signs will need to be posted in hazardous areas, around dangerous machinery, by emergency evacuation routes, on pipes, and many other areas around the workplace. A facility or safety manager should assess their workplace and identify hazardous areas with a job hazard analysis. The analysis was developed to aid the manager in applying the hierarchy of hazards. Safety signs are considered an administrative control, the second to last step in the hierarchy. According to the ANSI standards, hazard signs must be placed to alert and inform viewers from a safe viewing distance and must be legible; this means safety signs can be placed on walls, machines, doors, shelves, the floor, etc. It is also important to post signs around areas that can cause varying degrees of injury or damage, areas where first aid or exits are located, and areas that require a mandatory action regarding safety. OSHA recommends a variety of hazards to consider when completing a job hazard analysis including chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic hazards and risks. Some of these include: Sources of motion, i.e machinery or processes where any movement of tools or elements of a machine could exist, or movement of personnel that could result in a collision with stationary objects. Sources of high temperatures that could result in burns, eye injury or ignition of protective equipment. Types of chemical exposures. Sources of falling objects or potential for dropping objects. Some best practices when it comes to safety signs include: Signs should not fade into the background. Instead, colorful ANSI-approved signs should be used. Include as much information as you can that will aid the worker in making better, safer decisions. If a workplace has employees who speak other languages than English, safety symbols and signs in other languages should be used. Maintain signs so they will last for years. Safety signs should be posted in visible, easy-to-see areas, and ensure they can be seen at eye level.

Question 18

What do different symbols on safety signs mean?

Accepted Answer

Symbols are a wonderful way to quickly communicate quickly and help communicate with non-English speakers. A safety alert symbol has been added as a key component to OSHA&rsquo;s safety sign standard. This symbol, an exclamation point surrounded by a triangle, indicates a potential personal injury hazard, and should not be used for possible damage to equipment or machines. ANSI has developed standards regarding symbols, which can be found under ANSI Z535.3: American National Standard for Criteria for Safety Symbols. Hazard alert symbols convey information related to hazards. These symbols will either describe the hazard, how to avoid the hazard, and often times the consequences of not avoiding the hazard. and if there is a shape surrounding the symbol, it should be yellow triangle. Prohibition symbols are used for items or actions not allowed and feature a red circle with a red diagonal going behind or in front of the prohibited symbol. ANSI also refers to symbols featuring information to convey equipment location, fire equipment location, and mandatory actions. Symbols used on safety signs are usually black and white, simple in nature, and should be able to be understood almost immediately. Symbols should not be used alone on a sign but should also be accompanied by a more concise message. Even if a facility utilizes symbols that can be quickly identified, it is still important to train workers on the meaning of safety signs and symbols around the workplace. The use of safety symbols can be a particularly useful visual tool for workplaces with employees who speak different languagesHere are some examples of safety signs with symbols: This symbol is commonly used for slipping and tripping hazards. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Many different types of required PPE can be represented with a symbol including boots, gloves, eye protection, etc. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; This symbol is often used for crush risks or pinch points.

Question 19

What are types of signs in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

There are five different types of signs recognized by the ANSI Z535 standard: danger signs, warning signs, caution signs, notice signs, and safety instruction signs.  The first three are considered hazard communication signs and the last two informational. Danger signs: Used for situations where there is a hazard present that will cause serious injury or death if not actively avoided. Danger signs feature a red background with white text and should be reserved for only the most dangerous hazards in the facility. Warning signs: One level of severity down from danger signs are warning signs. The signs have black text surrounded by an orange background and means there is a serious hazard present that could result in injury or death. Caution signs: Caution signs, black text with a yellow background, are used for hazardous situations that if not avoided, might cause minor or moderate injury. Common caution signs include tripping hazard signs, or &ldquo;Slippery When Wet&rdquo; signs. Notice signs: The blue signs with white text are to convey other information not related to safety and when there is no hazard present. A &ldquo;no smoking&rdquo; sign for instance might be placed on a warning sign if there are flammable liquids, but a blue no smoking sign means the prohibited act is not due to safety reasons. Safety instruction signs: Safety instruction signs are a green background with white text, is informational in nature but still related to safety. The most common kind of these signs are related to first aid. These are just the signs recognized by OSHA and ANSI however, and facilities have the freedom to hang up funnier safety signs or safety signs with catchy slogans like &ldquo;Use your head or lose it!&rdquo; Having safety signs with clever phrases can be more eye-catching and, in some cases, more effective than the required safety signs.

Question 20

What are other forms of visual communication to use alongside safety signs?

Accepted Answer

Visual communication goes much further than signs. Facilities using several types of visual communication around the workplace can ensure the point is made and people understand the hazard, notice, or safety instruction message. Visual communication is so crucial to safety as people are far more likely to notice and remember information they gather visually, rather than something they hear. Facility managers should ensure their strategies are explained in a training session. The following are examples of other forms of visual communication that should be used in conjunction with safety signs: Floor tape: Industrial floor tape is a highly effective visual communication tool. Yellow tape is commonly used to create lanes for warehouse or pedestrian traffic, red floor tape can be used to mark off fire hazard areas, and photoluminscent tape (or glow-in-the-dark) tape is perfect for creating extremely visible evacuation routes. Floor tape even comes in patters. Hazard-striped tape is ideal when it comes to marking off large hazardous machines or equipment. Floor marking shapes: Industrial floor shapes can include dots, corners, footprints, T&rsquo;s, and arrows, made out of the same durable materials of industrial floor tape. Footprint shapes and arrows can create pathways, corners create staging areas, Vinyl labels: These durable labels can often be in the same format as a common safety wall sign, but with the added bonus of being smaller and with an adhesive back. This allows the user to directly apply the label to equipment, machinery, or industrial vehicles. Industrial label printers gives the facility the option to create hundreds of custom, professional grade labels in just a day. LOTO tags: Lockout/Tagout tags are a clear indicator whether or not a machine is energized, alerting the workers when it is safe to work on a machine. Utilizing red hazard stripe tapes for a proper LOTO procedure can save workers from severe injuries and death.

Question 21

Are safety signs just for the wall?

Accepted Answer

The wall is just one place safety signs can be posted. A visual communication strategy and safety program will be improved by using a variety of safety signs placed around the facility. Other forms of signs a facility or safety manager should consider include: Floor signs: Industrial floor signs are a great option to use in conjunction with wall signs. Floor signs can alert both pedestrians and forklift drivers in the form of a red STOP sign, remind workers to keep the area clear, or mark off a door swing area. This is a particularly effective form, as many people look down while walking. Virtual signs: Virtual signs, like SignCast, are signs that are projected from a light on the ceiling, and are effective floor signs in difficult environments, places with high traffic levels, or uneven surfaces. Virtual signs are indestructible to foot traffic and can be clearly seen from a distance. Standing signs: These types of signs are easy to transport, easy to store, and sets a type of physical barrier. The most common type of standing sign that can be found in a factory, store, or other type of workplace is a &ldquo;Slippery When Wet&rdquo; standing sign. Standing signs are ideal for temporary hazardous situations. Labels: Durable vinyl labels often come in the same format as a safety wall sign, but with the added bonus of being smaller and featuring a strong adhesive backing. The adhesive backing allows the user to apply the label directly onto machines and equipment. Industrial label printers gives the facility the option to create hundreds of custom, professional grade labels in a single day. It is important workers are alerted of hazards, and it is usually most effective when the warning or alert is placed in several areas. For instance, if there is an arc flash hazard in the facility, floor signs can be placed to alert the worker of the arc flash boundary and a wall sign can give the worker more information about the dangers of arc flash.

Question 22

How can I create my own safety signs?

Accepted Answer

There can be instances in a workplace where safety signs ordered from a catalog will not get the job done. If a workplace needs a specific sign made but may not have the means to create them in-house, custom signs from Creative Safety are the answer. There are two different options when ordering a custom sign: modify an existing sign or create a sign from scratch. The first option takes an existing sign from our library of safety signs and is modified for the customer&rsquo;s needs at no extra cost. Examples of modifications we can make on signs including adding a company&rsquo;s log, changing colors, shapes, and images, adding artwork/images, and much more. Our second option is giving customers the opportunity to bring their vision of a perfect sign into a professional-grade and durable sign created to the exact specifications as requested. People can type up their idea in an email, give us a call, draw their own idea or take a picture of a current custom sign, and we will design and provide free digital proofs to ensure the customer&rsquo;s satisfaction. Another cost-effective option to creating custom signs is using an industrial label printer. The LabelTac industrial printers used in conjunction with LabelSuite gives users the options to create their own, custom labels in a matter of minutes. These labels can be used on walls, machines, equipment, and even the floor. Labels can be designed to look exactly like an OSHA safety sign and the adhesive backing allows the user to stick the label right onto a machine.  There are also PVC and aluminum sign blanks that can be purchased in a multiple of sizes; after labels are designed and printed, users can simply apply these labels to a sign blank for an instant custom safety sign. The thermal printing technology LabelTac uses ensures the labels and signs created will withstand the elements of an industrial workplace for years to come.

Question 23

Why are safety signs important?

Accepted Answer

Keeping workers safe is an employer&rsquo;s obligation by OSHA law, and having a visual communication strategy, namely safety signs, is key. Safety signs plays a large part in keeping facilities compliant and employees knowledgeable. It is critical for workers to understand the types of hazards in the workplace, the level of risk the hazard presents, and what precautions to take. These signs and their standards were developed by ANSI under section Z535 and cover DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION signs. Safety signs also encompass NOTICE signs as well as Safety Instruction signs and keep your workers well-informed. These types of signs will alert workers of where first aid kits are, the locations of emergency eyewash stations, and otherwise give information in a clear and concise manner. ANSI has included these signs to their Z535 standard. While many signs are mandatory signs to have in the workplace, adding other types of informational signs can greatly contribute to worker&rsquo;s safety. Other types of signs that should be considered include: Traffic control signs: If a facility has vehicle and pedestrian traffic, stop signs, yield signs, and other types of traffic control signs will keep forklifts and pedestrians safe. Prohibition signs: Remind people not to smoke, not to enter certain areas, not to use their cell phone, etc. with prohibition signs. Security signs: These signs help to protect people and property by keeping people out of certain locations. Office signs: Every facility, even a typical office, has a need for safety signs. Signs used for office purposes often provide directions or instructions regarding tasks. Safety signs are crucial to workplace safety, but training workers on the meanings of safety signs and symbols used on signs are equally as important. Additionally, facility managers should periodically assess and replace signs if they are damaged, faded, or otherwise unreadable.

Safety Signs Questions and Answers

Safety Signs Questions and Answers