All the construction sites, industrial areas, manufacturing units, production plants and other worksites always remain prone to perilous possibilities. To reduce the possibility of severe accidents at a construction site, Safety Signs play a crucial role.
Easily recognizable safety signs or indicators installed at an under-construction building or another worksite act as a proper safety communicator for the employees. Well, “Safety” is not the sole purpose of these signs but establishing a highly efficient and properly managed worksite is also an additional responsibility of these Safety Signs.
Let’s go straight to the in-depth knowledge regarding the unavoidable significance of “Safety Signs” at the workplace.
What are the prime purposes of installing “Safety Signs” at a risk-prone site to promote the security of employees?
According to the Occupational Security and Health Administration, commonly known as OSHA, Safety Signs are multipurpose investments at a construction site.
Here are the key accountabilities that a “Safety Sign” fulfills.
1. Ensured prevention from potential risk –
The safety signs determined by the concerned administration or authorities are color-coded and have a unique shape that directly conveys the risk associated with the specific equipment or area at the construction site. According to the stats, nearly 2.8 million severe accidents occur at worksites in the US. But with the help of comprehensive awareness about “Safety Signs”, workers can skip the risks that occur due to electricity, sudden falls and add slips etc.
2. Leveling up the efficiency of a workplace –
The safety signs lessen the unnecessary time & effort consumption in giving verbal instructions to the employees. A thorough understanding of the signs and their purposes enables the employees to proceed with the tasks further without being stranded in miscommunication, human errors and inconsistent situations. Keeping these unfavorable situations aside enhances the efficiency of a worksite and helps in drawing desirable outcomes as well.
3. Guiding the common public –
Not only do the employees or workers at a construction site attain benefits from the implementation of the Safety Signs but a common passerby can also avoid situations where they can fall prey to the potential dangers. As an example – and The Safety Sign stating “No Trespassing” makes the public aware of risky areas. Emergency exits, first aid stations and emergency equipment are some other areas and tools that are indicated by utilizing the “Safety Signs” in favor of public safety.
What are the fundamental types of “Safety Signs” according to the regulation authorities?
To fulfill the primary purposes of public and employees safety, the safety signs are classified into three aspects. Take a quick view of them.
1. Safety Signs indicating the “danger” –
The safety signs indicating the dangerous area or equipment are further segregated into two categories that are death-causing threats and mildly dangerous equipment or areas. Red and Orange are two prime colors that decode the perilous threats to the employees as well as the general public. Besides these colors, black and white are also frequently used color codes that convey the term ‘Danger’ to the people.
2. Safety Signs stating “Be Cautious” –
A combination of the yellow-colored background and signs mentioned on it with black ink belongs to the “Be Careful” category of safety signs. These signs are installed on sloppy areas, ramps, stairs and slippery areas. These cautionary safety signs should also be placed at the locations where products or heavy equipment are loaded or unloaded.
3. Safety Signs denoting the “instructions” –
To guide the public or employees in rightly operating equipment or entering a sensitive area, these “instructive” safety signs are utilized. Usually, the green backgrounds and white signs or information portray the required information to the people. Places where high-maintenance and hygienic traits are expected can also use “instructive” safety signs.
Which color codes are used to convey the message of “Safety” at a construction site?
The quick and effective understanding of a “Safety Sign” becomes quite smooth through these bright and easily visible colors.
- Red – The highly risk-prone areas are equipped with red safety signs. Emergency exits, fire alarm tools and emergency stay areas are marked with red signs so that people can easily view them from a good distance.
- Orange – To denote the mildly risk-prone or less perilous areas, the orange code is utilized in the safety sign presentation. Usually, the sharp corners of equipment, traffic safety and road construction areas are indicated by the orange color in the language of safety signs.
- Fluorescent orange – This indicates the biological hazards to the employees and the public. One can see these safety signs at the places where waste or decomposed material is dumped.
- Yellow – The combination of yellow and black safety sign boards is used to make people aware or cautious about the flammable material, trespassing areas and containers that store a risky products etc.
- Purple – The purple safety signs made on the yellow backgrounds indicate the radioactive substances or areas that can cause a massive hazard to human beings.
- Blue – The equipment or machinery that is under repair procedure and can not be operated should be marked with the blue safety signs.
- Green – To indicate the safe areas that can be used by the employees or people during an accident, green signs are used. People can approach these places with the help of green signs to save their lives.
Rules with which the installation of “Safety Signs” should be complied –
According to the standards of OSHA and ANSI, some regulations must be followed by the construction site authority while placing “Safety Signs”.
- The signs should be rigid enough according to the location. Too much thin graphics on the flimsy sheet will not be accepted as valid safety signs. Fiberglass, aluminum, polyester, vinyl and plastic are some durable materials for safety signs.
- The message should be mentioned in the background with the help of big & bold volumes of letters.
- Usage of phonograms should be maximum on the safety signs. These pictograms must be self-explanatory and easily recognizable by the common people.
- There is no place for funny elements in the safety sign language. The message should be direct and clear for seamless recognition and understanding.
- The location where safety signs are placed plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of workers. It should be equipped with proper lighting, easily accessible or visible by the passerby.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs) –
Q – What is the significance of “Safety Signs” at a construction site?
A – To save people from death accidents and severe injuries, safety signs are important.
Q – What are the prime safety sign color codes?
A – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Black and Purple etc.
