Safety signs and tags must, at minimum, meet basic OSHA standards. OSHA sign and tag regulations can be found in Standard 1910.145. This standard covers the basic requirements for all signs. But just because a sign meets the requirements set forth in this standard does not mean it is fully compliant.

The reason for this is that many standards set additional requirements for signage relating to the hazards associated with that particular standard. Because of all the different standards which cover the practices at any workplace, it can be difficult to ensure that all of the signs are compliant. If, for instance, your facility has arc flash dangers, any signs associated with those dangers need to fit very specific guidelines as per the OSHA arc flash standards.

When we audit facilities, we pay careful attention to the safety signs around the facility. Signage is a common issue, whether it is missing, misplaced, or improper signage, and is also one of the easiest issues to avoid. By paying attention to the signs you have around your facility, you can easily reduce the potential loss during an OSHA audit.

Correct signage also ensures a safer workplace for your employees. So many guidelines and standards have been created regarding safety signs because they are an important warning or reminder to employees, and can help prevent needless injuries.

If you have any questions about the signs in your facility or the signs available through our online store, please contact us. If you have anything to add about the importance of OSHA compliant signs, please leave a comment.

OSHA has set very specific guidelines for safety signs and tags. The basics for these guidelines can be found in Standard 1910.145. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these are just the basic guidelines and that interspersed within many other standards are additional requirements specific to those safety hazards. So when you review your safety signs, first check them against 1910.145, then against the specific standard relevant to that business specific operation or safety device.

Standard 1910.145 describes in detail the color, dimensions, and design requirements for most signs you will post throughout your facility. This standard was created so that anyone who sees the signs, especially in an emergency situation, will know what they mean. Standardizing signage allows anyone to understand the signage at any facility. It was also created to help guide business owners and safety teams in determining where to place signs and which signs are applicable in which situations. Danger signs, for instance, are used to denote immediate danger. Caution signs, on the other hand, are used to warn against potential hazards. It is still up to you and your staff to determine which hazards at your facility fall into which category.

It is also important to ensure that each sign is in the correct place. Having the right signs in the wrong places can not only be a severe threat to employees, but can also get you significant fines and citations from OSHA. If you are unsure of where to properly place your signs or if your signs are still up to code, it is important to have your facility audited to ensure compliance.

If you have any questions about specific signs, please contact us. And if you have anything to add about safety signage, please leave a comment.

All across your workplace you have signs, visuals, and placards, which are printed in a number of colors and utilize a series of symbols and letters to denote specific hazards, safety devices, or evacuation routes. These symbols are largely universal, known by everyone who works in your facility and are a great way to notify your employees of a number of important things in the workplace.

But, what happens if an emergency situation arises and non-employees are in your facility? Or, staff members from one department happen to be trapped in another? Or emergency personnel are entering your facility to combat a serious hazard? There needs to be a well defined and universal system in place in your facility which can be understood by outsiders to your business quickly and efficiently. This is where OSHA Standard 1910.145 comes in. OSHA created a universal standard against which you need to create your company safety signs.

If you have old signs in your facility, or if you created the signs without ensuring they are compliant, it is important to have a full inspection of your facility to ensure all hazards are properly noted and that all signs are up to code. If any signs are determined to be out of date or unacceptable, you need to immediately replace those signs.

If you have any specific signs that need to be replaced, they can be ordered through our store, and you can rest easy knowing they are OSHA compliant. If, on the other hand, you are not sure if your signage is up to code, please contact us so that we can help you get on track. If you have anything else to say about safety signage, please leave a comment.

Safety visuals are an important part of your Safety and Health Management System. They notify individuals of where various things are in the event of an emergency and procedures for handling an emergency situation. OSHA sets standards for these visuals in various procedures, but it is important to have a unified system in place to ensure all visuals are up to code and are properly tracked and updated as needed.

The first step in setting your system is to learn which visuals are needed where. Visuals include everything from detailing where fire escapes and fire extinguishers are to the proper use of emergency doors or stairwells. So you need to evaluate your workspace and determine which standards apply to you, and thus which visuals you need to incorporate into your facility.

Next, you need to find the actual visuals you want to use. To do this, you should find a qualified company who can discuss the visuals you need and how to best display them. Once you order your visuals and place them, it is often a good idea to have a third party safety audit, to both ensure you have all of the visuals you need and to ensure they are properly placed.

Once your audit is complete and you are up to speed, you should keep track of your visuals, make sure they are not damaged, and make sure you change when OSHA standards do. Annual safety audits can help you keep track of changes that you miss, providing an extremely helpful service.

If you have a need for a comprehensive safety visual review, or if you feel it is time to update some old signs, please contact us and we will get you up to code. If you have any suggestions for others on what to look for in safety visuals, please leave a comment.