ASSOCIATION SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS
Does Your Signage Need Updating? S
By NAARSO Communication Committee
afety signs are not just for your customers, they’re also for your employees. Almost 10 years ago, OSHA incorporated the ANSI Z535 safety sign and tag standards into its regulations. This format uses internationally stan- dardized elements (ISO 3864) to better communicate safety messag- es. There are several components that indicate the level of hazard or convey alerts and instructions. This newer format better protects people from harm and your company from litigation. It more effectively communicates by using global symbols (ISO 7010) to overcome language bar- riers and contains more content that explains hazards and how to avoid them.
It is a better defense in court should an accident occur, and a lawsuit arise.
While OSHA does currently allow the use of the older formats, the newer format will help your com- pany meet this new standard of care to provide “adequate warnings”.
New Sign Selection If your operation does not have
the newer format, consider what steps are needed to update all exist- ing safety signs, labels, tags, and markings:
1. Survey your operation and look for a. Sign Clutter b. Missing/damaged signs c. Invalid signs d. Temporary signs e. Out-of-date signs f. New needs
2. Selecting the right signs a. Signal Word selection to match risk level
b. Signs should include one or more symbols and a text mes- sage to communicate:
22 OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2022
i. Nature of the hazard ii. The consequence of interaction with the hazard
iii. How to avoid the hazard
3. Choose the right location, size, and style a. Sign location and size b. Mounting heights c. Sign style
4. Choose the right material a. Indoor vs. outdoor conditions
b. Fade resistance c. Temperature variations d. Lighting conditions e. Damage resistance f. Adhesives vs. zip tie vs. mounting
If your operation does not have the ability to print/manufacture new signs internally, consider one of many online safety sign websites that allow you to design a sign, selecting the signal word, format, text, and symbols used.
For more information on safety signage,
check out these resources:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.145
https://www.ansi.org/news/standards-news/all-news/2011/09/ silently-guiding-safety-american-national-standards-for-safety-signs-and-colors-22
https://www.iso.org/standard/51021.html
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
