Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

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.

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