21 Aug Safety Signs – Recognizing Workplace Warnings

Safety Signs – Recognizing Workplace Warnings

Safety signs are used to warn employees and others about hazards, communicate required precautions, and provide important safety instructions. Employees must recognize, understand, and obey posted signs, tags, barricades, and other warning devices.

Guide for Discussion

Why Safety Signs Matter

Safety signs are not decorations. They are placed to communicate information that can help prevent injuries and unauthorized exposure to hazards.

Signs may be used to:

• Warn of immediate or potential hazards.
• Restrict access to hazardous areas.
• Identify required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Provide emergency or safety instructions.
• Identify hazardous equipment or operations.
• Direct pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
• Mark confined spaces and restricted areas.
• Supplement barricades and other protective measures.

Never ignore a safety sign simply because you have passed it many times without an incident.

Know the Types of Safety Signs

Common workplace safety signs include:

• DANGER – Indicates an immediate hazard that, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
• WARNING – Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
• CAUTION – Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
• NOTICE – Communicates important information that is generally not related to a personal injury hazard.
• Safety Instruction Signs – Provide general instructions or suggestions concerning safety measures.
• Biological Hazard Signs – Identify actual or potential biological hazards.

Employees should understand the signs and warning systems used at their particular workplace.

Signs Must Identify the Hazard

A warning should communicate enough information for employees to understand what the hazard is and, when appropriate, what action they must take.

Examples include:

• DANGER – HIGH VOLTAGE – KEEP OUT
• WARNING – CONFINED SPACE – AUTHORIZED ENTRY ONLY
• CAUTION – OVERHEAD WORK – HARD HAT REQUIRED
• DANGER – DO NOT OPERATE – EQUIPMENT LOCKED OUT

Do not assume that everyone automatically understands why an area is restricted.

Temporary Signs and Barricades

Temporary signs, cones, barricades, caution tape, and similar warning devices are often necessary during construction, maintenance, cleaning, or other temporary operations.

When using temporary warnings:

• Position them where approaching employees can see them before reaching the hazard.
• Make sure the warning accurately identifies the hazard.
• Maintain signs and barricades while the hazard exists.
• Replace damaged, missing, or unreadable warning devices.
• Never cross or remove a barricade unless authorized.
• Remove temporary signs and barricades promptly when the hazard has been eliminated.

Leaving unnecessary warnings in place can reduce their effectiveness and encourage employees to disregard legitimate warnings.

Keep Signs Visible and Legible

Safety signs cannot protect employees if they cannot be seen or understood.

• Do not cover or obstruct signs.
• Keep signs clean and readable.
• Provide adequate illumination where necessary.
• Replace faded, damaged, or illegible signs.
• Do not alter or deface safety signs.
• Report missing or inappropriate signs to your supervisor.

Signs should be positioned so employees have enough time to recognize the warning and respond appropriately.

Signs Do Not Replace Hazard Controls

A warning sign alone does not eliminate a hazard. Whenever feasible, hazards should be eliminated or controlled through engineering controls, guards, barriers, safe work practices, or other appropriate measures.

Signs and tags provide warning and information and should be used as part of the overall hazard-control system.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees should:

• Read and obey posted safety signs.
• Respect barricades and restricted areas.
• Follow PPE requirements identified by signs.
• Never remove a sign, tag, or barricade without authorization.
• Report missing, damaged, misleading, or unreadable signs.
• Ask a supervisor when the meaning of a warning is unclear.
• Never assume a warning no longer applies simply because the hazard is not immediately visible.

Remember

Pay attention to workplace warnings. A sign, tag, or barricade may be the only visible indication of a hazard that cannot otherwise be seen or recognized.