May
2
Workplace safety signs are not to be ignored. These signs are there for a reason and so people must abide by what the sign is trying to tell them. Safety signs describe and state specific hazards. They should be affixed at an appropriate location on the site so that they are easily viewed and understood by operators and people within that area.
Using the right safety signage
Safety signs conform to an easily read system of pictograms and words. Given the multilingual staffing of workplaces today, pictograms are the easiest interpreted part of safety signage.
There are many kinds of signs: A notice sign is an informal, informational signs that’s saying “Please follow this request”. A stop sign is used for actions that are not permitted and mean “Do not and you stop the defined action”. A caution sign is more serious and is used to say, “Take Caution”, there is a risk to health and in this place there is a hazard. Further up the scale is the Danger sign where neglecting this sign can have grave consequence. You should stop and proceed only when having followed the required action. Finally, and most serious are the Obey signs that must be observed and, the action designated MUST be followed.
Often in a workplace you will see a selection of signs being used together to convey the risk to life. All workplace safety signs should be placed where they are highly visible.
Safety signs help in building safety and create a safety culture.
[Industry Sector
Certain industry sectors have signs specific to their industry and their sector specific hazards.
For example, building industry safety signs are meant to enforce the message of safety to those working on the site and to warn others off the on site dangers. Sector specific signage is widely available for all sectors.
Signage is available for fire, first aid and the handling and storage of designated chemicals. These signs save lives and are commonly utilised in all businesses. Often these signage requirements are mandated by legislation and it is imperative for the site owners and operators understand all legislated requirements as applies to their operations and ensure compliance.
Safety signs in workplaces are readily available and can be customized to the site specifics.
Safer work leads to improvements in workplace health and better workforce moral, all of which to leads to lower costs. It helps to create a culture of safety.
