Safety Signages in Workplace: What Makes It Effective?
Workplace signage is leveraged to communicate safety information. Businesses deploy safety instruction signs to keep employees away from potential hazards. This is important because 2020 alone recorded “2.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
AIScreen’s analysis of 2021 labor statistics reveals that a work-related fatality occurs every 1.5 hours. In this article, we’ll explore various workplace safety signs and learn how to create and deploy safety signs with digital signage software. Let’s dive in.
Short Summary
- Workplace safety signs, including danger signs, caution signs, and fire safety signs effectively communicate potential hazards to workers and mitigate risks.
- Consistent exposure to workplace safety signage, including safety procedures fosters a culture of occupational safety, encouraging workers to adopt personal protective equipment and safe practices to prevent accidents.
- Workplace signage ensures compliance with OSHA standards for workplace safety, minimizing workplace accidents (2.7 million according to labor statistics).
- General safety signs guide workers to evacuation routes, first aid stations, and emergency exits during emergencies, enhancing workplace safety.
What Are Workplace Safety Signs?
A workplace safety sign is a visual sign communicating safety information about potential hazards and promoting safe practices, such as hand sanitizer signs. Safety signs like danger signs, warning signs, and caution signs, are designed to alert workers about potential dangers and workplace hazards.
These accident prevention tags ensure regulatory compliance and foster a culture of workplace safety. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), safety signage refers to internal communication messages to alert workers and the public about potential dangers in workplaces like construction sites and manufacturing plants.
What Are The Different Types of Safety Signs?
The different types of safety signs and symbols are danger signs, caution signs, exit signs, traffic control signs, and accident deterrence tags.
Each safety signage design has definite color requirements, indicating levels of hazard, from most severe hazards to mild ones to keep employees safe as per ANSI standards.
Here’s a detailed overview of various types of safety signs:
- Danger Signs: Represent severe hazardous materials like radiation, chemical hazards, and high voltage. The “DANGER” word is added prominently so that it’s vividly visible.
- Caution Signs: These signs are used to caution workers about moderate risks and the word “CAUTION” is accompanied by a safety message.
- Exit Signs: Mounted at designated areas like entrances and exits, these signs help visitors safely leave the facility during emergencies.
- Instructional and Traffic Control Signs: Instructional signs, as the name suggests, deliver information regarding safety procedures and precautions. Traffic control signs deliver parking-related safety information.
- Accident Prevention Tags: These signs play a major role in ensuring a safe workplace free from temporary hazards at job sites. These easily understood signs inform staff about machinery or equipment issues.
Summary of Safety Signs and Their Color Requirements
| Type of Safety Sign | Recommended Color |
| Danger Signs | Red top panel, white lower panel, black borders |
| Caution Signs | Yellow background with black text and exclamation mark |
| Exit Signs | White with red or green lettering |
| Instructional and Traffic Control Signs | Varies; usually easy-to-read colors like black on a white background or black on yellow |
| Accident Prevention Tags | Typically uses bright colors (often yellow or orange) for visibility, with a clear message |
How to Set Up Safety Signage for Workplace?
Setting up safety signage for the workplace is easy and can be done in a few steps. All components required include a smart TV, a media player, and digital signage software.
Step #1: Select A TV To Display Safety Signs
Pick any commercial-grade TV compatible with safety signage software for workplaces. Two TVs have been listed below for you to check out:
1. Insignia Fire TV
- Features: Sharp 4K (2160p) Display, Alexa Voice Remote, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDR 10, HDMI ARC Support.
- Price: $150 – $550
2. Sony BZ30L
- Features: Brightness (cd/m²) 440nit, Resolution 3840 x 2160 HDR (DR10, HLG, Dolby Vision), Aspect Ratio 16:09 Portrait/Tilt Compatibility Yes, Operation Time 24/7.
- Price: $710.00 – $8,325.00
Step #2: Choose A Media Player for Safety Signage
Amazon FireTV Stick costs $49.99 per device and is easy to set up and features a simple plug-and-play function to display safety signs.
- Features: Wi-Fi 6 Support, Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, Press and Ask Alexa, Cinematic 4K Streaming, 4K Ultra HD, 8GB Storage, 2GB Memory.
- Prices: $49.99 per device.
Step #3: Pick the Right Software for Safety Signage
AIScreen digital signage features built-in Canvas, which you can utilize to create visual safety signs. Download the AIScreen app from your TV’s App Store, and:
- Visit AIScreen’s website to log in or create an account.
- Sign up for a 14-day free trial to explore all features for free.
Step #4: Connect Your TV To Broadcast Safety Signs
To connect your TV with cloud-based signage CMS, follow the steps given below:
- In the AIScreen dashboard go to “Screens”.
- Click “Add Screen” and enter the 4-digit pairing code displayed on your TV.
Step #5: Create Visual Safety Signage Content
Using the AIScreen content editing tool, Canvas, users can create safety signs within a minute. Follow the below steps:
- Go to the Canvas & pick a customizable safety template.
- Customize the selected template by adding your images and text.
Step #6: Schedule Safety Signs for Specific Times
Plan safety signage delivery so that signs are delivered automatically at specified times.
- Morning Signs: Remind staff to “wear safety gear” or “check equipment.“
- Evening Signs: Remind workers to do necessary EOD checks & broadcast fire safety tips.
How to Improve Safety Communication Using Workplace Signage?
Workplace signage is deployed to improve safety communication because it facilitates the instant delivery of safety messages, provides real-time warnings, and communicates precautions. Safety communication ensures workers stay safe from workplace hazards and injuries. Staff health is paramount.
Businesses need a reliable platform for delivering safety messages across workplaces. Digital signage is the biggest asset companies leverage to respond to emergencies quickly and in a visually appealing manner to sensitize workers and visitors regarding safety. Learn how to install workplace safety signage here!
Here’s how digital signage improves workplace safety communication:
- Display Safety Instruction Signs: Quickly design and broadcast safety instruction signs to remind workers about safety protocols and share evacuation plans in compliance with OSHA and ANSI standards.
- Deliver Highly Visual Emergency Responses: Signs must be visual to communicate safety messages effectively. With workplace signage, users can incorporate videos and images to communicate safety practices.
- Share Safety Stats to Build Trust: Ensure staff that your workplace doesn’t harm workers. Create other signs leveraging digital signage templates to share safety stats. Set safety goals and work towards achieving them.
- Broadcast Emergency Alerts: Signs must reach your employees instantly during crises. Digital signage does that exactly, and more. When an emergency arises, it delivers instructions to employees that help mitigate risks and hazards.
- Enhanced Visibility of Safety Signs: Digital signage prominently displays safety signs on production floors, construction sites, manufacturing plants, break rooms, etc. to share safety protocols or information about fire extinguishers.
Presenting safety information visually protects employees from hazards and injuries. OSHA also recommends using visual safety instructions to protect employees. That’s why digital signage for workplace safety signs is a must-have for businesses.
Our client from a manufacturing sector leveraged AIScreen’s digital signage to simplify safety communication during emergencies and crises. The end result was a 30% reduction in workplace related incidents and injuries.
Visit AIScreen Blog to Explore Safety Signage Tips for Workplaces
AIScreen’s digital signage solutions simplify designing and deploying health and safety signs for the workplace. To get started, learn about essential safety signage tips for workplaces here!
Book a 14-day free trial to explore AIScreen’s digital safety signage solutions.
