Safety signs are widely used across industries to help promote a safe work environment. They help reduce accidents and injuries by pointing out indicators of potential hazards. As such, industry partners must ensure that proper compliance is being met.
We will show you how to effectively use safety signs to meet compliance and get the most use out of your sign. We will review their meanings, best practices, and complex rules.
Classifications
There are three classifications for safety signs:
Danger
Danger signs indicate an immediate danger that requires special precautions, such as areas with risks of high voltage or exposure to hazardous chemicals. This classification identifies a dangerous situation that may cause severe injury or death. You should only use these signs for highly dangerous conditions.
Warning
Warning signs signal a warning against possible hazards and unsafe practices. For example, a warning sign might identify an area that contains hazardous waste or warn people not to enter the area without eye and ear protection. It would be best if you used this classification of signs when there’s a potential for minor to moderate nonfatal injuries.
Safety Instruction
Safety instruction signs communicate general safety instructions or suggestions. For example, these signs might indicate an area restricted to authorized personnel only or identify a location to pick up personal protective equipment (PPE). This classification of signs provides general instructions, communicates procedures, and gives information.
OSHA Safety Sign Requirements
OSHA safety sign regulations cover the following:
Application
These regulations guide how, when, and where to use different signs. For example, danger signs should convey an immediate danger rather than a potential hazard, while safety instruction signs should contain information unrelated to possible injuries or accidents.
Design
OSHA’s safety sign design regulations establish universal standards and individual templates for the three major classifications. All signs must have blunt or round corners, dull edges, and fastening devices that are safely located.
Symbols and pictograms
A sign’s information can appear as a pictogram, symbol, written text, or both. Additionally, OSHA sometimes requires specific symbols for corresponding hazards or situations, such as the presence of biohazards. One of the most prevalent safety signs that you see and contains the mentioned symbols and text are NFPA Diamond Kits.
NFPA Diamond Kits are designed to communicate critical information about hazardous materials through a standardized system. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) diamond is divided into four colored sections, each representing a different type of hazard:
Red: Flammability
Blue: Health
Yellow: Reactivity
White: Special hazards
Each section contains a number or symbol that indicates the severity or nature of the hazard. For example, a high number in the red section signifies a high risk of flammability, while specific symbols in the white section might denote the presence of oxidizers or corrosive substances. By using these standardized symbols and colors, NFPA Diamond Kits allow workers, emergency responders, and others to quickly assess the risks associated with various materials, ensuring a safer environment.
Incorporating these kits into your safety signage strategy ensures compliance with regulations and promotes a higher level of awareness and preparedness among those on-site. Durable Safety Signs offers NFPA Diamond Kits with a 5-year no-questions-asked replacement warranty, guaranteeing long-lasting and reliable safety communication tools.
Wording
OSHA has several general rules for wording on safety signs. Wording that complies with OSHA safety sign regulations is easy to read and understand. The information must be accurate, sufficient, concise, and present a positive suggested action.
Lettering
A sign’s signal word is the word meant to attract the reader’s immediate attention and communicate the most crucial message. Since adopting ANSI Z535.2-2011 standards, OSHA regulations have dictated that signal words must be readable from a safe distance. While the distance varies by hazard, all signal words must be legible from at least 5 feet away.
Placement
OSHA regulations also cover where employers should place safety signs.
Signs should be as close to the relevant hazard, location, or equipment as possible to identify the area clearly. Employers should choose a spot where the sign is still visible from a safe distance.
Safety signs should be away from any movable objects, well-illuminated, and protected against fading or other damage.
