Why National Safety Month Is the Perfect Time to Reevaluate Your Safety Labels and Signs
Posted by Clarion Safety Systems | 10th Jun 2025
National Safety Month 2025, now in its 29th year, is more than a calendar event—it's a call to action. Hosted by the National Safety Council (NSC), this annual June initiative focuses on reducing leading causes of preventable injuries and fatalities in the workplace, on the road, and at home.
Whether you’re an environmental health and safety professional charged with workplace safety, a product engineer leading safety efforts for a product or equipment line, or another type of safety and compliance stakeholder, it’s a good opportunity to reevaluate how well your safety signage and labeling systems support compliance, communication, and culture.
This year’s NSC weekly themes—Continuous Improvement, Employee Engagement, Roadway Safety, and Wellbeing—align well with the core function of visual safety communication. Below, we explore how the right labels and signs can elevate each of these areas—ultimately helping to better protect people.
WEEK 1: Continuous Improvement Starts with Clear Communication
Top OSHA violations, year after year, are related to lockout/tagout, hazard communication, and machine guarding issues. Using visual communication best practices – and reviewing labels and signs on a regular basis for inconsistencies or missing safety messages – can support your companies’ safety policies and procedures.
Action Step:
Audit your facility for outdated or missing labels, signs, and tags. Depending on the type of setting you’re in, consider focusing on:
- Lockout/Tagout Labels and Tags – Ensure procedures are clearly posted at points of operation and power isolation.
- Hazard Communication Labels (ANSI/GHS/ISO) – Mark chemical containers and areas with proper pictograms and warnings.
- Machine Guarding Labels – Call attention to crush points, entanglement hazards, and zones requiring machine guards.
- Arc Flash and Electrical Hazard Labels – Ensure compliance with relevant standards, such as NFPA 70E and OSHA regulations, and support safety and training measures with labels and signs.
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Pro Tip for Machine Builders or OEMs: Create label or safety instructions-related content during your equipment’s design phase. That way, you can tie in your warnings and instructions to your risk assessment process and have consistency between your on-product warnings and product instruction manual.
WEEK 2: Engage Employees Through Visual Empowerment
Your safety program succeeds when your people are more than just trained—they’re engaged. Clear signage empowers employees to speak up, follow procedures confidently, and spot potential issues.
Action Step:
Make it easier for workers to participate in safety culture with:
- Inspection Tags and “Do Not Operate” Labels – Improve maintenance status awareness at the point of use.
- Custom Labels and Signs for Specific Hazards and Audiences – Tailor visuals to your team’s language, procedures, and known risks.
- Ergonomic Safety Reminders – Promote safer lifting and posture in high-risk roles.
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WEEK 3: Address Roadway Safety with Fleet and Facility Signage
Whether you're managing a warehouse, delivery fleet, or industrial yard, roadway safety extends beyond the highway. In 2023, roadway incidents remained one of the top causes of workplace fatalities.
Action Step:
Strengthen vehicle and traffic area safety by implementing:
- Forklift and Vehicle Movement Signs – Prevent collisions with “Pedestrian Zone” and “Forklift Crossing” signs.
- Seatbelt Reminders and Distracted Driving Decals – Reinforce safety habits inside and outside the vehicle.
- Fleet Maintenance Labels – Display inspection dates or instructions inside vehicles and service areas.
- Loading Dock and Traffic Flow Signs – Clearly mark no-entry zones, turning radiuses, and one-way lanes.
- Three Points of Contact Labels – Reiterates climbing and ladder safety principles for going up and down equipment or heavy machinery
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WEEK 4: Make Worker Wellbeing a Visible Safety Priority
Fatigue, stress, substance misuse, and mental health challenges are silent threats to workplace safety—especially around complex machinery. The right signage can support your team’s wellbeing without stigma. Workplaces with up -to-date warnings convey a general message that safety is a priority.
Action Step:
Support “whole worker” safety with visual reminders that promote:
- Fatigue Awareness and Rest Breaks – Post reminders near control rooms, night shift stations, and repetitive task areas.
- Mental Health Resources – Share signage about your EAP program, counseling services, or confidential support lines.
- Workplace Violence Prevention Signs – Reinforce zero-tolerance policies and encourage reporting.
- Substance Use Awareness Posters – Address the risks without shame—offer support, not discipline.
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Work with Clarion Safety to Help Improve Your Safety Visuals
A strong safety culture is built on more than policies. It requires visible, consistent communication that reinforces your training programs and engages your workforce.
When labels and signs are used effectively, they do more than meet compliance requirements—they become daily tools for risk reduction, operational efficiency, and employee trust. From custom ANSI and ISO compliant safety labels to facility wide signage and equipment audits, Clarion Safety helps OEMs and EHS professionals create safer environments with smarter visual systems.
Ready to elevate your labeling program?
Let’s talk about your unique needs—whether it’s for a new machine launch, a facility-wide signage overhaul, or a response to a recent compliance finding.
