Each workplace where hundreds of workers are employed should ensure the safety of workers by complying with the determined protocols & regulations. The worksites where highly sensitive chemicals, gases and products are manufactured or heavy machinery are operated, pose great room for potential risks.
With the help of appropriate and certified “Workplace Safety Signs,” the authority of an industry or manufacturing unit can strengthen the first defensive wall against hazardous risks that can exert a deadly impact on human lives.
Through this extensively described article, you can learn about the various significant Safety Signs and their aim in curbing the chances of fatal accidents.
Why Safety Signs are crucial at a worksite?
Apart from the key role of ensuring everyone’s safety from perilous incidents, the Safety Signs execute so many other responsibilities as well.
A quick view of the prime purposes of Safety Signs at commercial worksites.
- A clear indication of the risk associated with the products or equipment available at the workplace.
- Portraying the compliance with the safety rules determined by OSHA & ANSI
- Educating the employees as well as the passersby about the safe areas, equipment and passages.
- Uplifting the efficiency of the workplace by saving unnecessary time and effort consumed in guiding people.
- Being a silent communicator of the entire workplace.
As these Safety Signs are vital and valuable in charge of a workplace, one must know “how do safety signs work?” in-depth.
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Instant delivery of safety messages to the employees & public –
The safety signs equipped at a worksite convey the precise message to all the employees & public if they confront any dangerous situation. Besides paving the way for the workers to a safe exit & passage, the safety signs inform the people about the extent of risk associated with the specific area, product, machinery and other tools.
Here are some usual ways in which safety signs forward a necessary & life-saving message to the workers.
- The clear and properly visible photograph illustrations denote the severe hazards like fire and explosion etc.
- A short description of the deadly risk or warning can also be mentioned on the safety signs to make people aware of the danger threshold.
- The safety signs present the direction signs as well to lead the workers towards the green areas during a massive collapse at the workplace.
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Making the workplace legally fit for working –
As mentioned above, installing the “Work Safety Signs” is a basic legal requirement for any workplace where commercial activities are executed by a vast number of professionals. In the absence of required safety signs, the authorities leading the industry, warehouse, lab or other manufacturing unit can confront legal actions in the form of penalty and imprisonment.
Though there are too many safety signs available to guide the workers about threats and safety, a workplace can use customized “safety signs” as well to promote and ensure the wellness of workers.
According to the mandate, Health & Safety Regulations 1996, a worksite must fulfill the below-listed necessities with the help of OSHA & ANSI certified “Safety Signals”.
- Signs for prohibiting entry into risk zones of workplaces
- Highlighting safety signs for procedures and equipment that must be adopted or worn during the hazardous situation
- Attention-seeking signs towards the ‘right operation of the highly sensitive products and dangerous tools
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Smooth & well-managed working with the help of Safety Signs
As the safety signs depict all the essential information about the workplace, the leading teams & team heads can save plenty of time & effort consumed while guiding the employees. Along with the existing employees, the new workers can find these silent communicators or guides present in the form of “Safety Signs” quite beneficial in understanding several aspects of working.
To boost the efficiency of the entire workplace, the safety signs should be installed according to the given points.
- The signs should be mentioned in large and bold volumes.
- While placing the safety sign boards, the workplace authority should confirm that they are visible from all possible directions.
- Proper lighting should be available around the position of Safety signs.
- At the outdoor work sites, durable safety signs should be placed.
What are the mandatory safety signs that need to be available at worksites?
The frequently used safety signs belong to different categories -:
- Warning Sign
- Danger Sign
- Exit Sign
- Road construction sign
- Fire signs
- Green exit sign
- Emergency sign
- Biological hazard sign
- Cautious signs
- Explosive signs
What does the color code signify in equipping the worksite with safety signs?
To convey the specific purpose or message through the signage, a new bright colors are utilized in writing instructions or drawing the signs.
Take a look at which particular color codes are used in safety signs.
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RED safety signs –
Prohibition, Danger and Emergency are some fixed emotions that are conveyed through the bright Red Signals at a workplace that is prone to potential risks. These signs should also be placed on slippery areas, flammable areas, ramps of the warehouse, stairs etc to warn the people about the high risks.
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Yellow Safety Signs –
Usually, the black signs can be seen imprinted on the yellow or amber backgrounds as a safety symbol. These signs signify the mild danger and convey the message of “Be Cautious” to the workers or other readers. The prime example of yellow safety signs is the high-voltage area.
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Green Safety Signs –
Green signs are often used to guide the workers about the safe passages and exit gates that can be accessed in a hazardous situations. These safety signs are displayed on a green background with white color photographs and information.
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Blue Safety Signs –
These signs indicate the workers “what to wear or which equipment should be used in a risky circumstance” on the blue background. Though the bright blue color does not represent any danger, it easily catches the attention of the workers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) –
Q – Why safety signs are used at the workplace?
A – The safety signs indicate threats attached to the material, equipment or area to make the workers attentive in unfavorable circumstances.
Q – At which worksites, the safety signs should be installed?
A – All kinds of industrial areas, construction sites, manufacturing units, warehouses, laboratories and food industries must be equipped with certified “Safety Signs”.
Q – What are the primary color codes used in the installment of Safety Signs at worksites?
A – Red, Blue, Green, White and Black are the prime color codes that convey specific messages to the public and professional workers. These colors can be present in the background or used in the portrayal of pictograph illustrations.