Safety signs are an important part of an effective workplace safety program. When properly selected, positioned, and maintained, signs help identify hazards, communicate required precautions, restrict access to hazardous areas, provide emergency information, and remind employees and visitors of safe work practices. They should supplement—not replace—appropriate engineering controls, safe work procedures, training, and personal protective equipment.
OSHA requires signs, tags, labels, and other forms of hazard communication in numerous workplace situations. Depending on the hazard and applicable regulation, signage may be used to communicate danger, warnings, cautions, biological hazards, required PPE, restricted areas, emergency equipment locations, fire protection equipment, exits, and other important safety information.
Safety signs should be:
- Clearly visible and legible from an appropriate distance.
- Located as close as practical to the hazard or area they identify.
- Written and displayed so affected employees can readily understand the message.
- Appropriate for the nature and severity of the hazard.
- Protected from weather, chemicals, dirt, fading, and physical damage.
- Inspected periodically and replaced when damaged, faded, illegible, or no longer applicable.
- Removed or covered when the hazard or condition identified by the sign no longer exists.
When printing signs for workplace use, color printing and lamination can improve visibility and durability, particularly in shops, warehouses, construction sites, and outdoor environments. Signs should be securely mounted using an appropriate method that will keep them visible and prevent them from becoming detached, damaged, or creating an additional hazard.
Employers should also avoid excessive or unnecessary signage. Too many signs in one location can reduce their effectiveness and make critical warnings easier to overlook. Safety signs are most effective when they provide a clear, concise message and are placed where the information is needed before an individual encounters the hazard.
Remember that posting a sign does not eliminate an employer’s responsibility to control the underlying hazard. Signs are a communication and awareness tool and should be incorporated into the company’s overall hazard prevention and control program.