Update Your Safety Signage for 2020

High Voltage Danger Sign Attached to a Chain Link Fence

Maintaining Workplace Safety for 2020

Table of Contents
Injury Statistics
Annual Review
▸Equipment
▸Fire Safety
▸First Aid Supplies
▸Update Signage
Safety Training
▸Costs
▸What Signs Mean

What better time to update your business’s safety standards than the start of a new year?

2020 is here. When was the last time you audited your safety requirements? The importance of following OSHA regulations cannot be understated. So, as you move into the new year, ensure your workplace stays up-to-date on all safety standards.

To start, what is the number of people injured on the job?

Workplace Injury Statistics

As with most studies, the figures and statistics can vary.

The number of on the job injuries varies depending on your business’s sector. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states over 2.8 million cases of nonfatal workplace injury or illness in 2018. The highest recorded being Healthcare, Retail, and Manufacturing. It should be noted that this statistic covers private sectors. The total across all sectors was roughly over 3.4 million cases.

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that number to be even higher. According to the NSC, a workplace injury happens every seven seconds which approximates to 4.6 million injuries each year.

Here is an infographic from the NSC illustrating their findings:

Provided by The National Safety Council

Review your workplace. What can you update to improve safety within your organization?

A Year in Safety

The end of the year is a great time for you to reflect on your current safety standards.

What worked?
What didn’t work?
Are there gaps in your training?
Have there been OSHA updates that affect your business?
How much did your company pay out for safety violations or worker’s compensation?
Are your signs faded or broken and need replacing?

Gather as much information as you can and update your safety regulations. Work with your administrative level employees as well as the rest of your work force. Audit your high traffic areas and work zones to ensure compliance with national safety standards. Ensure your workplace follows fire safety procedures. Replace safety signs that may be difficult to read.

Check Your Equipment

Ensure your equipment is functioning properly. Much like how a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one, if your equipment or tools aren’t cared for, the likelihood of injury increases.

Relating to training, make sure everyone who operates required machinery or other tools understands how to use them safely. This could mean additional digital courses or in-person sessions teaching proper handling, operating, cleaning, storing, and maintenance. Any employee who uses your equipment should also follow established guidelines on general inspection before and after use. Encourage them to report any irregularities such as exposed wires, cracks, unusual sparks, or other malfunctions.

Aside from daily use inspections, you may need to follow regulations requiring professional equipment inspections depending on your business. These inspections may occur trimonthly, semi-annually, annually, or at a different interval. Be sure you know when your equipment needs to be inspected.

It seems obvious, but be sure to repair or replace and equipment that needs it. Your workplace and employees will stay safer if you do.

Is Your Workplace Fire Safe?

‘To hope for the best and prepare for the worst, is a trite but a good maxim.’

-John Jay (1813), Planning Skills

Fires can break out almost anywhere. While there are prevention measures you can take to lessen the chances, your organization should establish procedures to prevent injury and death.

Inspect your fire extinguishers. You should check on them monthly and have a fire equipment professional inspect them annually. Again, the end or start of the year is a great time to have this done. Furthermore, ensure your sprinkler system functions. Your automatic fire dousing system needs to work to prevent, or at least, delay a fire from spreading. Test your alarms to make sure their tones are loud and clear. Functioning alarms may be your first warning of a starting fire.

Clearly mark fire exits with eye-catching signage. Set safe meeting places to account for everyone. Label fire extinguishers for everyone to see. Ensure your employees know where all of these things are with proper training. These are all things you can do to reduce damages and keep your work force safe.

Refresh First Aid Supplies & Equipment

Every business should keep first aid supplies on-hand. You should inspect your kits at least annually, so the end of the year is the perfect time.

Make sure your equipment is still viable and all the necessary equipment is present. Bandages, antiseptics, gauze, and other medical supplies needed to treat minor injuries should be clean and stored.

If you operate a warehouse, factory, or other workshop, inspect your eye wash stations. Are they functional? Do they need cleaning? Are they easy to find and marked with appropriate signage? These are all important in keeping your employees safe in treating exposure to dust, debris, and hazardous chemicals.

Update Your Safety Signage

Once you’ve reviewed the areas in your business that need updates, make sure your safety signs are updated. We’ll go into the importance of understanding signs below, but know that your signs need to be visible at all times.

Are your signs dull, worn, or broken? Many businesses are required to post specific signage signifying hazardous areas. Maintaining your signs and replacing old ones keeps everyone aware of possible dangers and the proper methods of preventing injuries. Understand all required signage your business needs to post, audit your current signs, and update or replace them as needed.

Once you’ve reviewed or made updates, ensure your work force follows any new regulations with proper training.

Safety Training

Most workplace injuries are preventable. It is common to hear professionals claim that 99% of accidents are preventable. Some say there are no such things as “accidents” at all.

Depending on your market, a hazard-free workplace may not be achievable. Construction sites, road repair services, factories, and other fields are inherently dangerous. But, you can decrease the likelihood of injuries with proper employee training.

Is your training comprehensive and easy to understand?

Your safety regulations may be in-depth and fool-proof but that means nothing if your employees don’t understand or are unaware of your established standards.

Workplace safety starts with your employees.

Regular safety training ensures everyone understands new standards. Most fields must perform annual training at a minimum. But, frequent and effective training can decrease the chances of serious injury. A 2009 study found that effective training can reduce the number of days-away-from-work injuries.

Has your work site experienced a recent, serious injury? Review your current training programs and identify areas in which your process can be improved.

The new year also gives you an opportunity to look back at 2019 and find any gaps in your training programs.

Would an online, in-person, or on-the-job element help? Ask your long-time employees and new hires what their concerns are. They may give you new insight into misunderstandings around your training courses. They’ll also appreciate having their voice heard by management.

The Cost of Poor Training

Training employees can seem like a major expense, but it shouldn’t be overlooked or ignored. The cost of not including proper training for your workers can far outweigh the downsides.

Shift eLearning states that companies that put a focus on employee development can see an average of 24% more profit if they invest $1,500 into their training. Furthermore, investing in your employees means a more productive work force, less turnover, and a happier work environment.

If you don’t train your employees, your business could suffer more than lost profit. OSHA’s penalties for violating workplace safety regulations can start at $13,260 per violation. Your company may also be liable for workers compensation, medical bills, and legal payments depending on the severity of the incident.

Ensure your company doesn’t spend more money than it has to, with comprehensive training for all employees. Your business will benefit from it while avoiding violation fines and other unnecessary expenses.

Understanding Signage

Part of your training should include a section or sections on what safety signs mean.

Understanding the meanings of caution, danger, and warning signs is important for employee safety.

There are many pictogram hazard symbols. If your company handles hazardous materials, your employees need to know what each symbol means.

Posting these signs serves as a reminder for your employees to follow safety protocols. However, if your employees don’t know what these signs mean, then they won’t help in your safety efforts.

Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires certain signage to properly advertise hazardous elements in your business. When ordering or designing your signage, you must follow the OSHA signage design guidelines.

Ensure your training program covers what signs your company uses and their meanings. Again, your business may follow all the design requirements and regulations, but it means nothing if your work force doesn’t know what they mean.

This all leads to how improper training can cost your business more money.

CustomSigns.com is your one-stop-shop for compliant safety signage. We are your experts on the professional signs you need for your business.

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October 22, 2019November 10, 2020

Pet Fire Safety

Home fires are an unpredictable tragedy that can be difficult to recover from. While people are capable of finding their way to safety, pets follow their instincts, which means there is more risk in protecting them during emergencies. There are special considerations you should take to give your pets the best chance of survival in the case of a fire.

Animal Instincts

As humans, we understand that we need to escape a burning building. However, our pets often revert to their instincts during stressful situations. Many animals will go into familiar hiding places thinking they are safe. They may become agitated or aggressive, making it more difficult to remove them from a fire. Understanding your pet’s behaviors will give you a better chance of saving them during an emergency.

Pet Alert Stickers

Stickers or signs that alert to the presence of animals in your home may help keep them safe. Pet alert stickers are placed on windows or doors to alert firefighters and rescue workers that your household has animals inside.

Do They Work?

There is some question as to whether pet alert stickers and signs actually help keep our animals safe. The question “How do firefighters feel about those ‘Please save our pet(s)’ stickers” on Quora.¹ Most of the responses indicate that firefighters generally ignore these signs. According to the answers, there is no way of knowing if the pet, or pets, are still alive, if the animals are even present, or if the stickers were put in place by a previous occupant. Structural damage caused by a fire makes prolonged searching dangerous, so firefighters don’t seem to put special consideration into pet alert stickers.

However, firefighters generally conduct searches during a fire, if the circumstances allow. Additionally, there are a few responses on Quora from some firefighters stating they appreciate knowing that pets may be present. Ensure that your stickers are updated to reflect the current occupants.

Pet Safety Tips

What can be done to keep our pets safe during a fire? There are a number of precautions you can do in order to prepare for the worst.

1. Note Hiding Places

If your pets hide during thunderstorms or when fireworks are set off near your home, you should take note of their preferred spaces. Animals may tuck themselves under beds, under tables, in closets, or other confined spaces in order to feel safe. During a fire, your pets may hide themselves in one of their favorite spots in an attempt to escape the danger. Knowing where your pets could be can help you and rescue workers retrieve them in time.

2. Keep Kennels Close to Entrances

Many people keep their pets in kennels or crates during the day for various reasons. The locations of where these are kept vary according to house or apartment layout. However, if possible, place kennels, crates, and other animal carriers near entrances or exits while you’re away from home. This makes finding your pets much easier for firefighters and first responders.

3. Post Pet Alert Stickers

While pet alerts may or may not be heeded depending on the level of danger, it is still important to alert firefighters to the presence of your animals. An updated sticker detailing the number of animals in your household can help rescue workers in their search.

4. Train When Possible

It is also easier for first responders to locate your pets if you train them to respond to particular commands. You or emergency personnel, if given the command word or phrase, will then be able to call your pets during the search or out of the burning building.

CustomSigns.com is your one-stop-shop for fire safety signs. Keep the inhabitants of your building safe and comply with safety regulations with our collection of metal and plastic signs and vinyl decals.

References:

Quora

May 31, 2019November 10, 2020

5 Summer Safety Reminders for HOAs

Neighborhood Street Lined With Blooming Cherry Trees

Summer Safety in Your Community

Summer is finally here, so now is the perfect time for summer safety reminders for your Home Owner’s Association community. Your residents are responsible for following your HOA’s rules and regulations, but posting memos or holding community meetings are helpful for everyone. Additionally, your organization is responsible for maintaining communal grounds and amenities, so here are some summer safety reminders.

Heat Hazards

According to Heat Kills, the interior temperature of a car can increase by 34 degrees in as little as 30 minutes.¹ Even if the temperature outside is a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit, that increases to 104 degrees in half-an-hour, so remind your residents to NEVER leave children or animals in their vehicles. Post custom signs around your community as a reminder of the dangers of the summer heat as a way to prevent unnecessary tragedies.

Common Area Consciousness

If your HOA has communal areas such as pools or clubhouses, then you’ll want to make sure they’re in good working order. Providing clean and functional community amenities will keep residents happy and appreciative. Here are a few reminders for common community areas for the summer.

Playgrounds

After a long winter of un-use, your community’s playgrounds should be inspected before summer takes full effect. Ensure all children’s playground equipment is free of potential hazards and replace bolts and other structural pieces as needed. Watch out for any other hazards such as glass or insect infestations to remove as well. Post children at play signs near playground amenities to prevent accidents along roads.

Clubhouses

Providing a clean and well-maintained lounge or clubhouse for your residents shows your HOA’s professionalism and instills confidence in your community. Ensure HVAC units are well-maintained and in working order. Additionally, check to make sure any lounges or other communal buildings are clean and presentable. Inspect any equipment, such as lights or televisions, to make sure they function properly.

Pools

Swimming is a favorite summer activity for many, so ensuring your pool is well-kept is imperative for the coming months. Remove any debris that may have collected over the winter and spring months from in and around your pool area. Update any pool signage to reflect new or revised safety rules. Inspect and repair pool filters and lighting fixtures as needed.

Gyms

Summer means more free time to exercise, so ensure that all equipment is in proper working condition for the safety of your residents. Wipe down and disinfect all equipment to prevent sickness. Ensure that all HVAC or other cooling units are working adequately.

Outdoor Areas

Your outdoor community areas will probably see more use thanks to warmer weather. Clean all outdoor recreation areas such as gazebos, tennis courts, dog parks, etc. Ensure that gazebos are structurally sound and repair any equipment as necessary. Fences and other sectional walls should be inspected for integrity.

Night Nuisances

Remind your residents to stay safe at night. With summer comes an increase in criminal activity, so marking monitored areas with video surveillance signs can help prevent potential robberies or violent crimes. Whether lights deter crime or not is still up for debate, but maintaining street lights helps your residents see once night falls, so ensure your community’s light sources are properly maintained.

Secure Street Safety

With school out for the year, many children will be home or using your pools or playgrounds. Keep your community safer by posting speed limit signs along heavy foot traffic areas near communal amenities. Additionally, inspect roads for damage such as pot holes or large cracks and contact your local city or county maintenance department for repairs to prevent damage to vehicles.

Vacation Ventures

Remind your residents to keep their homes safe if they will be leaving for a summer vacation. Warn them not to advertise their vacations as this could alert potential criminals that their home will be vacant for a time.

Ensuring your community’s health and happiness is important for every Home Owner’s Association. With these safety tips and signs from CustomSigns.com, you can keep this summer fun and safe for you and your residents.

References:

May 8, 2019June 18, 2020

Secure Your Summer with These Safety Signs & Tips

Beach with No Swimming Signs and Sunbather

Vacation Season

With summer almost here, many people will be spending time outside or rushing off for family trips. It’s easy to forget general safety tips during summertime if you’re busy taking advantage of the pleasant weather or enjoying your time off. Camping, long-awaited vacations, the beach, grilling, swimming, and many other fun activities await, after all, and according to a 2017 study, 80% of United States residents took a vacation during the summer.¹ However, summer safety should stay a priority even during your upcoming holiday. Here are some tips for kids and adults to help keep your summer safe and fun!

The Great Outdoors

If you’re going hiking or camping, be sure to heed any warnings concerning fire or wildlife danger. Ensure any fire pits or campfires you light are built properly and away from tents, dry twigs, and nearby foliage to prevent wildfires. Remember to bring bug spray to keep pests away and first aid materials in the case of a minor incident. Be mindful of any local fauna postings, such as bear warnings, or if you run a campground or other such location, ensure you prominently place appropriate signage warning campers of potential wildlife and forest fire dangers.

Whether you’re going hiking, camping, to the beach, to the pool, or simply spending time outside at home, always remember to pack and apply sunscreen every two to four hours. The sun’s harmful UVB rays are the cause of 95% of melanoma cases and 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers.² However, according to an Australian study, appropriate application of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your chance of developing melanoma by up to 50%.³ Make sure your sunscreen isn’t expired as it can lose effectiveness over time. Sunscreen is an important and easy way to keep you and your skin healthy!

Pool or Beach Side

Many vacationers and coast-dwellers will probably spend some time swimming this summer. It’s a refreshing break from the hot summer sun, a phenomenal form of exercise, and a great way to stay cool. However, there are a few water safety tips to keep in mind while you’re at your favorite swimming locale. If you plan on going to a public pool, you can start by following all posted pool policies. Generally, swimming pool rules are established for the protection of swimmers. No diving, running, glass containers, and leaving children unsupervised are common safety rules meant to protect pool-goers from injury. If you own a pool or your organization has one on property, be sure to keep your swimming pool safety signage updated to reflect current policies. Additionally, there’s the old belief that you should wait 30 minutes to an hour after eating before you can swim, but according to an article from Mayo Clinic and Dr. Boniface, “You may end up with some stomach cramping or a muscle cramp” and “it may not be the most comfortable thing to go for a swim with a full belly, the world won’t end if you ignore your mom’s advice.”⁴

Workplace Woes

Unfortunately, many of us don’t get to enjoy a summer break. Work still needs to be done, but now is a prime opportunity to address summer safety topics for your workplace. It’s easy to skip drinking water while you’re on the clock, so remind your employees and coworkers to stay hydrated during the hot months to prevent dehydration. Perhaps now is the time to update your business’ safety signage. Given the hot and dry weather summer brings, you may consider updating or adding additional fire safety signs and equipment. Clearly marking fire exits and extinguishers can help keep you and your coworkers safe in the case of an emergency. Finally, if your employees spend most of the workday outdoors, remember to let them take plenty of breaks to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

At Home

Whether you can’t travel due to work or simply want a relaxing stay-cation, you always want to keep your home or apartment safe. From a 2014 study from the Bureau of Justice, there is evidence of increased crime rate during the summer. Burglaries occur up to 11% more and household larceny up to 8% more frequently compared to other seasons.⁵ One way to discourage potential criminals is by posting video surveillance signs if you have a camera security system. If you don’t have an electronic security system but do have a canine companion, then hanging “Beware of Dog” signs on your property can help deter would-be burglars and vandals. Home is meant to be a safe haven for you and your family, and warding off unwelcome guests and intruders with clearly marked warning signs can help this summer.

Summer is the season of fun for many. Ensure you keep yours that way by following a few summer safety tips!

References

Minnaert, Lynn. (2017). US Family Travel Survey 2017. Retrieved from https://www.scps.nyu.edu/content/dam/scps/pdf/200/200-4/200-4-16/P1718-0036-2017_Family_Travel_Survey.pdf
www.cancercouncil.com.au
ascopubs.org
newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org
www.bjs.gov

January 18, 2019November 9, 2020

Caution, Warning and Danger Signs Explained

Safety Sign Meanings

Table of Contents
Safety Headers
Safety Symbols
Sign Legends
Types of Safety Signs
▸ Caution Signs
▸ Warning Signs
▸ Danger Signs
▸ Notice Signs
▸ Instructional Signs
▸ Alert Symbols

Workplace safety signage is required by law. All organizations, from international companies to small businesses, are legally responsible for knowing the risks, effectively communicating these risks with all employees, and complying with all safety regulations, specific to their industries, as set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is responsible for setting the standards and guidelines for proper workplace safety signage that is enforced by OSHA. There are three key standards that specify the design and content of safety signs.

It is also important to understand what social distancing signs mean to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Caution, Warning, & Danger Signs

Here are the brief meanings of these types of signs:

Caution Signs: minor or moderate injuries may occur
Warning Signs: serious injuries or death MAY occur
Danger Signs: serious injuries or death are VERY LIKELY to occur

These signs all serve to remind everyone to take proper safety precautions to prevent injury or death in the appropriate degrees.

Safety Headers or Signal Words

A SAFETY HEADER or signal word, including danger, warning, caution, notice, or specific safety instructions, is determined by the degree of the potential hazard.

Safety Symbols

SAFETY SYMBOLS or pictograms effectively communicate across language barriers, providing visual alerts about hazards, precautions, or other necessary information.

Sign Legends

SIGN LEGENDS must accurately communicate the hazard the sign is warning of.

Types of Safety Signs

There are a variety of workplace safety signs and they each signify different hazard levels. With this comes a variety of questions. What does a Caution sign mean? What is a Warning sign? What do Danger signs indicate? Below are brief descriptions of the different types of workplace safety signs and what they stand for.

Caution Signs

These signs warn of potential physical injuries caused by slips or falls, harmful substances, or other unsafe practices. All caution signs must have a bright yellow background and yellow letters against a black panel.

What Does Yellow Caution Tape Mean for OSHA?

Much like how Caution signs identify potentially dangerous areas, caution tape also marks areas to be wary of. It may be used to label areas that may be entered but only with caution, areas that are no longer safe to enter, or sensitive areas such as crime scenes.

Warning Signs

‘WARNING’ text must be printed in black letters on an orange background. These signs may also include a bright blue graphic depicting a safety precaution that should be taken in a specific area.

Danger Signs

These signs should only be posted in areas where there is potentially deadly harm from dangerous equipment or other environmental hazards, such as radiation, high voltage, or hazardous fumes, among others. Danger signs must be red, black, and white, and include ‘DANGER’ printed in white lettering on a red, oval shaped background. OSHA requires that all employees be made aware that danger signs indicate immediate danger and extreme caution must be used in the area at all times.

Is Danger or Warning More Severe?

It can be easy to lose track of the differences between Warning and Danger. What it boils down to is this; Warning signs indicate areas where severe injury or death MAY happen, whereas Danger signs indicate a zone where injury or death is VERY LIKELY to occur unless proper precautions are taken.

Notice Signs

NOTICE SIGNS signify lower risk areas and can also promote safety in the workplace or other public areas.

These signs generally display rules such as ‘please wash hands’ or ‘keep this area clean’. Notice signs also are used for distinguishing areas designated as ‘employees only’ and other low risk designations. Notice signs are blue and white.

Safety Instruction Signs

SAFETY INSTRUCTION SIGNS are used to relay general instructions and suggestions as they relate to safety measures. Safety instruction signs must include a green panel with white letters and a white background. All letters printed on the white background must be black.

Safety Alert Symbol

The universal SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL is a yellow triangle, outlined in black, containing an exclamation point. This symbol is only used on caution, warning, and danger signs, labels, or tags.

CustomSigns.com is your resource for ready made or design your own workplace safety signs. Our Customer Focus Team is here to answer your questions and help you determine proper signage needs for your organization.

For more information about workplace safety, please see our related blog posts:
The Importance of Understanding OSHA and Displaying Proper Signage for Workplace Safety
The Importance of OSHA Signs for Construction Sites
OSHA’s National Youth Safety Initiative

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September 18, 2018June 18, 2020

The Importance of OSHA Signs for Construction Sites

You have likely heard the title many times in the workplace, but what exactly is OSHA? The Occupational Heath and Safety Administration is an oversight organization created to hold employers responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for employees and visitors at all times.

According to the United States Department of Labor, workers’ rights include:

Working in a place where conditions are safe and do not pose risk of serious harm
Workers shall receive training (in an appropriate language that he/she will understand) regarding potential workplace hazards , ways to prevent these, and all OSHA standards that apply to his or her workplace
A review of work-related injuries and illnesses at their place of empolyment
All workers have the right to anonymously file a complaint asking OSHA to inspect the workplace if there is a potential hazard or the company is not complying with OSHA rules and regulations
These rights are protected under law to be exercised without fear of retaliation; if retaliation does occur, this should be immediately reported via a formal OSHA complaint no later than 30 days after the event

For more information, please visit OSHA or call 800.321.OSHA (6742), TYY 877.889.5627.

OSHA Regulated Construction Area Signs

Working in a construction area, is, by nature, a very dangerous job. If proper safety precautions are not taken, unnecessary and often serious injuries, including death, can occur. This is why proper OSHA signage is critical – and required – at every construction zone.

It is the employer’s responsibility to understand the risks associated with their industry, work areas, and equipment. Signs should never be used as generic warnings.

OSHA Safety Signage Applicable to Nearly All Construction Sites

DANGER – Posted in an area where hazards are likely to result in serious injury or death. Signs should be used ONLY in extremely dangerous areas, for example where high voltage is present, creating an electrical hazard. Danger signs are preceded by the safety alert triangle and feature bold white “DANGER” lettering surrounded by a red background.

WARNING – Posted in an area where serious injury or death may occur, yet overall risk does not require the danger sign. Examples include: heavy debris, high voltage, or blasting areas. Warning signs feature the safety alert triangle followed by the word “WARNING” printed in black with an orange background.

CAUTION – Posted where a minor or moderate physical injury could be caused. Examples include: contact with harmful equipment, substances, slips or falls, among others. Caution signs are symbolized by the safety alert triangle followed by the word “CAUTION” printed in black with a yellow background.

NOTICE – Posted in low risk areas where they serve as safety reminders. Examples include: informational signs about wearing hard hats, machinery, employees only in a specific area, or equipment. These signs often outline proper procedures, maintenance information and instructions, rules, or directions that do not relate specifically to personal injury.

GENERAL SAFETY SIGNS – Posted in low-risk areas as reminders for general safety. For example: signs relating to medical equipment, overall health, first aid, sanitation, housekeeping, and general safety measures.

ADMITTANCE – Posted in areas where restriction is limited to specific groups of people or individuals. These signs may specify the dangers of entering a restricted area.

FIRE SAFETY – Posted wherever fire exits are located and specify locations of emergency firefighting equipment.

NON-HAZARD SIGNS – While technically not safety signs, these signs are beneficial for sharing general safety information. For example: directional signs and procedures, via easy to read text and visual symbols.

Additional OSHA Guidelines

Once you have purchased the appropriate signs that comply with OSHA requirements, it is crucial that they are posted in the proper places. According to 29 CFR 1910.1 45(f)(4)(vi), signs must be placed “as close as safely possible” to the appropriate hazard.

It is also paramount that employees and anyone in the vicinity are able to clearly see and read the signs from a safe distance away. 29 CFR 1910.1 45(f)(4) specifies a distance of five feet away from the hazard.

See our other OSHA blogs for additional information on keeping your employees and visitors safe:

How to Increase Workplace Safety Over the Summer

Caution, Warning and Danger Signs Explained

OSHA’s National Youth Safety Initiative

March 7, 2018June 29, 2020

How to Keep your Neighborhood Safe with Signs

Have you ever been sitting on your front porch, enjoying your morning cup of coffee, and you see a car speeding down your street? It may not seem like a big deal to the driver, but if a child or pet was present, the results could have been devastating.

We all hope that people will be cautious as they pass through our neighborhoods, but the truth is that’s not always the case. This means keeping your neighborhood safe is part of your responsibility as a homeowner, but it’s a duty most people take on without hesitation because they want to feel their family is safe at home. Unfortunately, dangerous drivers aren’t the only hazards we have to be careful of, so today we’re sharing with you a few ways you can keep your neighborhood safe and avoid accidents with signs.

Keep your Children Safe

If your neighborhood is full of playful children, like many are, a Caution: Child at Play sign is a great addition to your streets. With their bright yellow color and bold, black font and illustrations, they resemble a warning sign and are sure to catch any drivers attention. Whether they’re a neighbor, frequent visitor, or have never been to your neighborhood, this sign will make drivers think twice before speeding.

Post Pool Rules

Community swimming pools are a huge selling point for new home buyers! They’re the perfect way to cool off on those hot summer days, and you don’t have to worry about the cost of maintenance. But when the pool decks get crowded and the children get excited, pools can also be hazardous.

Every community pool should have its pool rules posted so you can keep everyone safe and hold visitors accountable. If you have a pool in your own backyard that your children’s friends love to visit, it’s also a great idea to post your own pool rules sign so everyone has fun and stays safe.

Remind others to Share the Road

Reminding other drivers to be mindful of bicyclists is also an important way to protect both your neighbors and strangers out on the streets! A share the road bumper sticker is a friendly yet necessary reminder for other drivers on the roads. Bikers are the most vulnerable drivers on the road because their only form of protection is their helmet, and you never know when a simple bumper sticker and the awareness it will inspire could save a bicyclists life.

Posted: No Trespassing

Save your family and fellow neighbors the stress of unwanted visitors by posting no trespassing signs in your yard or around your neighborhood. If you live on a property without gates or on a large piece of land, it may be hard for others to distinguish where your property line begins and ends. Make it clear and avoid any confusion with a property sign. If you’re ever in a situation where law enforcement has to be called, trespassers won’t be able to say they weren’t warned.

Think of your Animals, Too

Your human children may not be the only ones whose safety you’re worried about. If you’re in a neighborhood full of fur babies, this Drive Slowly We Love Our Pets sign may be the perfect additions to your streets. Even with a fenced in area, sometimes animals figure out a way to roam freely. Remind your neighbors and their visitors to drive with caution in case your furry friend gets a case of wanderlust!

There are lots of steps you can take to make your neighborhood a safer place for both your family and others. Safety signs are just one option, but you could also develop a neighborhood watch program and get to know all of your neighbors. There’s safety in numbers, so make friends with those in your neighborhood and remember to always look out for one another!

April 17, 2014April 2, 2019

The Industrial Side of Signs

When we think about signs, typically it’s the massive billboards that line the roads on morning commutes that come to mind. Store hours signs, bathroom signs, and ‘Open’ and ‘Closed’ signs for businesses follow closely behind. It may seem strange that we have to take a moment just to think about all the different types of signs we see on an everyday basis but it’s not as uncommon as you may think.

The truth is that signs are everywhere, so naturally we no longer see them. Just like with Smartphones, GPS, and McDonald’s on virtually every corner, we’ve become desensitized and immune their presence. So how do you make sure that your sign gets noticed? Why not try something different!

Typically when people think about signs, we think about a big square or rectangular shape with some printed text or a flashy image, but it shouldn’t stop there. The fact of the matter is that there are multitudes of different signs of all shapes and sizes! Desk plates, office signs, business signs, even name tags are considered to be variations on the classic sign template. And while most signs are widely believe to be of a square, rectangle, or sometimes even oval shape- signs come in a limitless amount of shapes and can be made specifically for ones industry, or unique needs.

Here at CustomSigns.com, we know that sometimes your industry may call for a sign of a specific size or even a specific shape. At our factories, there are no limits to what our machines can do! Whether you manufacture fire trucks, need valve tags, or have a need for any other type of industrial sign, we’ve got you covered. Our engraved signs are made up of some of the most durable materials we can get our hands on, guaranteed to survive the toughest conditions.

Oftentimes, these industrial signs are used for safety purposes, to label, organize, and prevent injuries or costly mistakes when repairing homes, or operating industry specific equipment on an everyday basis. To ensure that the text on your signs remain visible and clear, we engrave our signs to your specifications and then double check your order before we ship it out to you just to make sure that you are getting the professionalism and quality service that you are paying for!

Order from us today! You won’t be disappointed!