Signs

Remember this sign? We teased you by showing it in last week’s safety tip. As promised, we are offering our thoughts on this sign today. OSHA has some requirements for exit signage. In 29 CFR Part 1910.37(b), it tells us that each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading “Exit.” This sign complies.

But the exit sign also goes a step further. Let’s think for a minute. What if you can’t read? Or you can’t read English? This sign also has a picture of a person running through what could be considered a door. And it has an arrow pointing at the door that should be used as the exit. It’s clear and easy to understand.

Take this sign for example:

The above sign is clear – “Confined Space. Enter by Permit only” and the meaning of the sign is supported by the red and white striped cross bars that prevent entrance into the confined space. There is no doubt about what the sign wants you to know and do or not do.

This sign, as presented by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), is not as clear:

We are not sure what someone was trying to accomplish. But the above sign is no better than some of the signage we have seen. We have seen safety signs that are faded, blurry, and sometimes misleading, just like the one above. A common problem that we have seen is a sign advertising the location of a fire extinguisher where there is no fire extinguisher.

When you look at the hierarchy of controlling risk and safety, signs fall into the category of administrative controls, which are just above the bottom rung. PPE is last, and administrative controls is next to last. When you are trying to prevent someone from getting hurt on the job, and your option is low on the list of controls, don’t you want your message to be clear and easy to understand?

Weekly Safety Challenge:

Look around your place of work. Are there signs that don’t clearly convey what the sign is trying to say? Maybe it’s time to bring that to someone’s attention