Where to Place Your Workplace Safety Signs
December 6th, 2019
It’s crucial for all employers and occupants of a workplace to be educated about workplace safety. You have to watch for hazards in case a potentially dangerous situation arises when you least expect it. Sometimes, employees get too comfortable with their work routine and pay little attention to safety hazards, which is why it’s vital to have visual reminders to warn against unsafe work practices. The OSHA has several guidelines about safety signage that will help you comply with the law and protect your workers.
Once you determine what signs you need, the next step is finding the right spot to place them so that your workers don’t get confused. Here are some tips!
Signs, Labels & Tags
Rules and regulations about signs are specific to the place of employment, so when you have time, you should take a look at these websites to see what’s required:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/posters-required-workplace
https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/faqs/ohsa.php
Determine which sign to post near hazard or caution zones
There’s 3 main types of safety signs. Each sign should be placed in these specific areas:
- Instruction Signs: These provide employees with instructions and safety suggestions. Place them wherever it can assist a worker to perform their job safely.
- Caution Signs: These are designed to warn employees of potential hazards and warn against unsafe work practices.
- Danger Signs: These indicate immediate danger and require employees to protect themselves using special precautions.
Ensure that Signs and labels are visible
Signs with only one single word like “Caution” should be readable from at least 5 feet away. Don’t place a sign in the corner, tucked near the hazardous area, it won’t help anyone! Make it obvious. Safety signs are intended to help prevent accidental injuries or illness to employees exposed to risky situations, whether it’s the conditions of the workplace, equipment or for performing challenging operations. Ensure that your signs are placed in compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Make sure your safety signs don’t cause a problem
This may seem like an obvious point, but sometimes you may not realize when you’re placing a sign in an area that may interfere with someone’s safety. Don’t place a sign where it conflicts with other warning signs. Since several safety signs have sharp corners and edges, sometimes if they’re placed in blind corners then they can cause cuts, scrapes and splinters. This can also negatively affect traffic areas if you place a sign in an area that blocks the view of an intersection for a driver or pedestrian.
Contact Gregory Signs
Do you need help creating, installing and placing your safety signage? If so, then call the experts at Gregory Signs! With years of experience in the industry, we know exactly what’s required to make your workplace safe. Contact us today.
Category: News Updates