Trends in Safety Labeling for OEMs: What to Expect in 2024

Safety labeling is essential for helping users to safely operate and maintain products. By providing clear and concise instructions and warnings, safety labels can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

OEMs are increasingly focused on improving their safety labeling practices. This is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing globalization of the manufacturing industry, the rise of e-commerce, and the increasing focus on risk communication. Below, we’ll outline key trends in safety labeling for OEMs going into 2024, and provide tips on how to improve safety labeling practices that you should consider as you wrap up this year.

Trend 1: Increased focus on readability and comprehension
One of the key trends in safety labeling for OEMs which we see continuing into 2024 is an increased focus on readability and comprehension. This means that OEMs are paying more attention to the language that they use in their safety labels and the format of those labels.

There are a number of reasons why this trend is emerging. First, the manufacturing industry is becoming increasingly globalized. This means that OEMs are selling their products in a wider range of markets, including markets where the primary language is not English.

Second, the rise of e-commerce has made it easier for consumers and end users to purchase products from around the world. This means that OEMs need to ensure that their safety labels are readable and comprehensible to users from all over the globe. ISO standardized symbol labels are a type of safety label that uses symbols and pictograms to communicate important safety information in a clear and concise way. These labels are designed to be universally understood, regardless of language or culture.

ISO standardized symbol labels are used on a wide variety of products, including machinery, equipment, and chemicals. They’re also used in public places, such as workplaces and schools. Some common examples of ISO standardized symbol labels include:

• Prohibition signs with a red circle and a slash across it to indicate that something is forbidden.
• Warning signs with a yellow triangle and a black exclamation point to indicate a potential hazard.
• Mandatory signs with a blue circle and a white figure to indicate that something must be done.
• Emergency signs with a green square and a white figure to indicate where to find safety equipment or exits.

ISO standardized symbol labels are an important tool for communicating safety information to users. They can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by making it clear what users should and should not do. Some of the benefits of using ISO standardized symbol labels are:

• They’re universally understood, regardless of language or culture.
• They’re clear and concise.
• They’re easy to identify and understand.
• They can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

ISO standardized symbols and easy to understand language lends to the growing awareness of the importance of risk communication. OEMs are realizing that they need to communicate the hazards associated with their products to users in a clear and concise way. This requires using language that is easy to understand and avoiding jargon.

Trend 2: Adoption of new technologies
Another trend in safety labeling for OEMs is the adoption of new technologies. For example, some OEMs are using augmented reality (AR) to create interactive safety labels. AR safety labels provide users with additional information and instructions when they scan the label with their smartphone or tablet. – most commonly used in the form of QR codes. This can be very helpful for users who are unfamiliar with a particular product or who need more information about how to perform a specific task.
QR code safety labels for machines are a type of safety label that uses a QR code to link users to additional safety information. This information can include safety manuals, training videos, or other resources that can help users to safely operate and maintain their machines.

QR code safety labels are becoming increasingly popular in the manufacturing industry, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional safety labels. They can provide users with access to a much wider range of safety information than is possible on a traditional label, and they can be updated easily and quickly, without the need to replace the label itself.

At Clarion Safety, our custom designed QR code labels are made with high-quality materials and are designed to withstand harsh industrial environments. Some benefits of using QR code safety labels for machines include:

• They provide users with access to a wide range of safety information.
• They’re easy to update and maintain.
• They’re made with high-quality materials and are designed to withstand harsh industrial environments.
• They’re customizable to meet the specific needs of your business.

Trend 3: Increased focus on risk communication
As mentioned above, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of risk communication. OEMs are gaining a heightened understanding about how to communicate the hazards associated with their products to users in a clear and concise way.

This requires OEMs to carefully identify the types of hazards that their products may pose and to develop safety labels that clearly communicate those hazards to users. OEMs also need to provide instructions on how to avoid or mitigate the hazards.

Takeaway tips for OEMs on how to improve their safety labeling practices:

• Focus on readability and comprehension. Use clear and concise language, avoid jargon, and use appropriate fonts and standardized, best practice colors. Consider using standardized pictograms and symbols to communicate important information to users who may have limited literacy skills or limited English proficiency.
• Use new technologies. Consider using QR codes or other new technologies to create interactive safety labels that provide users with additional information and instructions.
• Focus on risk communication. Carefully identify the types of hazards that your products may pose and develop safety labels that clearly communicate about those hazards and residual risks to users. Provide instructions on how to avoid or mitigate the hazards.
• Test your labels. Have other people review your safety labels to ensure that they are clear, concise, and accurate. You may also want to conduct user testing to see how well users are able to understand and follow the instructions on your labels.
• Use a consistent labeling system. Use the same fonts, colors, and symbols across your safety labels. This will help users to quickly and easily identify and understand your labels. If you can, using the same label supplier will make it easier to ensure consistency and keep track of your labeling library.
• Place labels in prominent areas. Place safety labels in locations where they are likely to be seen by users before they operate or maintain your products.
• Keep labels up-to-date. Review your safety labels regularly to ensure that they are accurate and up-to-date. Update your labels whenever you make changes to your products or to the applicable safety standards.

Safety That Evolves With You
Whether related to equipment you manufacture or the overall health and safety of your workforce, Clarion Safety is dedicated to keeping up with your ever-changing needs and best practice procedures. As we continue to wrap up the rest of 2023, keep in mind that we offer comprehensive machinery risk assessments and training through our OEM and EH&S services. You can contact our team any time for assistance in selecting the best labels, signs, or tags for your needs.