The Evolution of Safety Sign Technology
Over the past 100 years, what’s considered “state-of-the-art” for safety signs has undergone significant change. Yet, most safety signage used in the U.S. today is still based on antiquated, 70-year old standards; people in charge of OH&S risk reduction for organizations need to understand this and change over to what is considered to be today’s best practices in risk communication. In 2013, OSHA recognized the superior safety communication attributes of the latest ANSI safety sign standards by updating its regulations to include references to the newer ANSI Z535 standards. Even though OSHA allows businesses to continue to purchase and use the 1941-era signage, it now encourages the use of the most current ANSI standards for safety signs and tags, the kind of signs and tags Clarion Safety supplies, so companies like yours can stay in step with today’s best practices in risk communication.
How have safety signs evolved over the past 100 years? See our timeline of safety sign best practices.
Safety Signs Compliant with the Latest Best Practices are Here
Clarion Safety’s sign systems are different – they incorporate the most current ANSI and ISO design features that enable people to better identify and avoid hazards, locate emergency equipment and find egress routes in times of crisis. With the safety of your workforce and reputation of your company on the line, it’s time to update your safety sign system to reflect today’s more communicative standards.
Old, Outdated Signs
- Lack substantive information
- Do not use symbols
- Use 1941-era formats
- Often use signal words inappropriate to the level of risk
Today’s Best Practice Signs
- Show more information, helping people to make better, safer decisions
- Use graphical symbols to communicate across language barriers
- Use the new, colorful ANSI formats to attract attention
- Use proper risk level signal words
A Closer Comparison of New vs. Old Signage
Clarion Safety’s new, best practice signs use nationally and internationally standardized elements to better convey safety messages in today’s workplaces. Let’s take a look at the specific components of Clarion Safety’s best practice signs – and where old, outdated signs fall short.
The Benefits of Best Practices
All of these aspects of best practice safety signage listed above serve these two goals:
1. To better protect people from harm: By visually reinforcing safety training and better communicating safety to guests, subcontractors,
and temporary workers, the new sign formats are aimed at helping to achieve fewer workplace accidents and injuries.
2. To better protect your company from litigation: The new sign formats represent the “state of the art” for visual safety communication technology. Properly using them will provide your company with a better defense in court should an accident occur and a lawsuit arise.
Clarion Safety’s “Systems” Approach
Implementing state of the art risk communication in your workplace is about selecting safety signs, labels and tags that comply with the latest ANSI and ISO best practice standards. It’s also essential to understand that, with Clarion Safety’s approach to safety, each sign, label, tag and marking in your facility is part of a “system” of safety communication meant to reduce risk and promote safe work behaviors. Consistent use of the latest standards-based design principles for symbols, color-coding, formatting and message content throughout that system is crucial to achieving effective risk reduction.
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- Are You Interested in a Best Practice Safety Sign System?
- View safety signs in our online catalog
- Contact us to discuss your specific needs
