We see safety signs throughout our daily lives, silently reminding us of potential hazards and guiding us towards safe behavior. Yet, the science behind these seemingly simple signs has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past century. Learn about the journey of safety sign technology, highlighting the shift from outdated standards to modern best practices – and how you can put them to use to improve safety and reduce liability risk in your workplace.
From Humble Beginnings to Standardization: A Historical Perspective
The concept of safety signage dates back centuries. Early examples include milestones marking distances on Roman roads and carved stone signs displayed by brewers in medieval Britain. However, the industrial revolution of the 19th century saw a significant surge in workplace accidents, prompting a more systematic approach to safety communication.
Jumping forward in time, in 1941, the American Standards Association (ASA), the forerunner of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), introduced the first national standards for safety signs. This landmark initiative, titled ASA Z35.1-1941, established a basic framework for industrial accident prevention signs. It outlined specifications for different sign types, such as DANGER, CAUTION, and NOTICE, with standardized formats and color schemes. This standardization aimed to create consistency and improve hazard recognition across various industries.
However, the 1941 standards had limitations. They primarily relied on text-based messages, lacked the universal language of graphical symbols, and often used color coding that wasn’t as intuitive as it could be. Additionally, the specific wording used on the signs often didn’t accurately reflect full information on the hazard, like the severity level or consequence of interacting with the hazard.
The Rise of Modern Best Practices: A Focus on Clarity and Universality
The limitations of the 1941 standards became increasingly apparent as workplaces diversified and the global workforce grew. It highlighted the need for clear, concise, and universally understood safety communication. This, in turn, led to the continuous evolution of safety sign standards over the following decades.
Organizations like ANSI played a pivotal role in this evolution. They actively revised and updated the original standards, incorporating valuable insights from safety experts, researchers, and industry leaders. The key focus of these revisions was on enhancing clarity, effectiveness, and universality. Here’s a closer look at the key advancements in modern safety sign best practices:
- The Power of Symbols: Graphical symbols can transcend language barriers and offer a more immediate way to communicate hazards. Standardized symbols for common dangers, such as falling objects, electrical hazards, and biohazards, were incorporated into sign designs. This helped ensure that regardless of a worker’s native language, they could better understand the potential risk.
- Color-Coding for Attention and Risk Level: Color-coding has become more sophisticated and aligned with intuitive risk levels. For example, ANSI Z535.1 color codes help to create a unified look for hazards in workplaces and on equipment, which can help increase a worker’s recognition and increase the reaction time in an urgent situation.
- Clear, Concise, and Complete Wording: The focus on text shifted towards using short, action-oriented messages that clearly described the hazard, its severity level, consequence of interaction, and how to avoid it. Vague or overly simplistic wording from the past was replaced with language that was more detailed and able to be followed to avoid harm.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Considerations for Effective Signage
Modern safety sign best practices extend beyond the core elements of symbols, color coding, and clear messaging. Here are some additional considerations for designing and implementing effective safety signage:
- Symbol Use: Choosing the right type of symbol depends on the specific message you want to convey and the standards you aim to meet. It’s recommended to use a standardized symbol, or one based on best practice design principles.
- Sign Size and Placement: Signs need to be large enough to be easily visible from a safe distance and placed strategically in areas where hazards are present. Factors like lighting conditions and visual obstructions should also be considered during placement.
- Durability and Material Selection: Signs should be made from durable materials that can withstand the environmental conditions of the workplace, such as extreme temperatures, moisture, and chemical exposure.
- Multilingual Considerations: In workplaces with a diverse workforce, multilingual signs might be necessary to ensure everyone can understand the safety messages.
The Legal Landscape: Duty to Warn and the Importance of Up-to-Date Signage
The legal landscape surrounding workplace safety has also evolved significantly. Courts are increasingly holding companies liable for failing to adequately warn employees about potential hazards. This concept, known as the “duty to warn,” has traditionally been applied to product liability cases where manufacturers are held responsible for informing consumers about potential product risks. However, it’s now being increasingly applied to premises liability, impacting the responsibility of building owners and facility managers.
Outdated safety signs based on 1941 standards often fall short of meeting the legal requirements of this evolving duty to warn. Their simplistic messages and lack of clear hazard communication leave companies vulnerable in case of accidents.
In recognition of this shift, OSHA updated its regulations in 2013. These updates incorporated references to the latest ANSI Z535 safety sign standards. While OSHA allows companies to continue using older signage, it recognizes the current ANSI standards as they represent the “state of the art” in safety communication technology.
The Clarion Safety Advantage: A Systems Approach to Workplace Risk Reduction
Arrow Industrial Solutions is a division of Clarion Safety Systems – the leaders in visual safety communication. Our teams understand the critical role of safety signage in creating a safe and compliant workplace. The Clarion Safety team goes beyond simply providing signs; they offer a comprehensive safety sign system solution that adheres to the latest ANSI and ISO standards, and meets OSHA requirements.
Here’s what sets Clarion Safety apart:
- Standardized and Compliant Signs: Clarion Safety’s sign catalog is meticulously designed to comply with the latest ANSI and ISO best practices, and meet OSHA requirements. They utilize standardized symbols, clear and concise messaging, and eye-catching color schemes to ensure maximum effectiveness in hazard communication.
- Customizable Solutions: While Clarion Safety offers a vast library of standard signs, they recognize that workplaces have unique needs. They provide expert guidance and customization options to tailor signs to specific hazards and environments. This ensures that the safety message resonates with the workforce and effectively addresses the specific risks they encounter.
- A Holistic Approach: Clarion Safety champions a “systems approach” to workplace safety. They believe that safety signs are just one element of a comprehensive risk communication strategy. They emphasize the importance of consistency throughout a facility’s safety signage. This means using the same standardized symbols, color coding, and messaging across all signs to create a cohesive system that reinforces safety training and procedures.
- Integration with ISO 45001: ISO 45001 is the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. It emphasizes the importance of clear risk communication for a robust safety program. Clarion Safety’s signs and approach directly align with the principles of ISO 45001, helping companies demonstrate their commitment to continuous safety improvement.
Investing in a Safe Future: The Benefits of Modern Safety Signage
Transitioning from outdated signage to modern safety signs is an investment in the well-being of your employees and the success of your organization. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect:
- Enhanced Worker Safety: Clear and effective safety signs empower workers to identify hazards, understand risks, and take appropriate precautions. This translates to a significant reduction in workplace accidents and injuries.
- Reduced Liability Exposure: By adhering to the latest ANSI and ISO standards, and demonstrating a proactive approach to safety communication, companies can minimize their legal vulnerability in case of accidents. Up-to-date signage serves as a powerful defense against claims of inadequate warnings about potential hazards.
- Improved Worker Morale: A safe work environment fosters trust and increases employee morale. When workers feel their safety is a top priority, they’re more likely to be engaged and productive.
- Enhanced Brand Reputation: A commitment to safety reflects positively on a company’s brand image. Customers, partners, and investors are increasingly drawn to organizations that prioritize the well-being of their workforce.
<Download Clarion Safety’s Safety Sign Compliance Timeline>
Solutions through Clarion Safety and Arrow Industrial Solutions
Our teams at Clarion Safety and Arrow Industrial Solutions offers a broad range of services to enhance workplace safety. With our combined expertise, we offer:
- Machine Safeguarding Design: We’re experts in designing machine safeguards that meet OSHA and ANSI standards. These safeguards are custom-built to address the specific hazards associated with each piece of equipment, ensuring maximum worker protection.
- Safeguard Building and Installation: We don’t just design safeguards; we also handle the entire build and installation process. Our experienced technicians ensure that safeguards are constructed with high-quality materials and are meticulously installed to function flawlessly.
- Integration with Safety Signage: We understand that machine safeguards work best when combined with effective safety communication. Our teams at Clarion Safety and Arrow can work collaboratively to develop a cohesive safety strategy that integrates appropriate signage and labeling with your newly installed safeguards. This ensures a clear and consistent message is delivered to workers regarding potential hazards and safe operating procedures.
By offering a one-stop shop for machine safeguarding and safety sign and label solutions, our team here at Arrow Industrial Solutions helps businesses create a multi-layered approach to workplace safety. This comprehensive strategy not only protects workers but also promotes compliance with safety regulations and can help to minimize the risk of accidents. Contact us today to get started and discuss your project.