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Label printers
are used at address a variety of safety issues, both within the
school walls and outside, such as on buses. Whether it is a safety
issue on a bus, in food handling or general risk management, safety
labels and signs keep staff, students and visitors informed of proper
behavior, potential hazards and how to respond to dangers.
The following
describes the basic types of safety and warning signs:
SAFETY SIGNS
Safety signs
(safety instructional signs) are used where there is a need for
general instructions and suggestions concerning safety.
Safety signs
are not used to provide warning or caution messages. Safety signs
only provide information related to safety. This could include information
such as operating instructions, maintenance information, identification
of special areas in your facility or providing information about
a process.
The standard
color for the background should be white. The heading should be
white letters on a green background. Any text or letters used on
the white background should be black.
WARNING SIGNS
Warning signs
represent a hazard level between that is greater than a Caution
and less than a Danger. A warning indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.
Warning signs
most often have an orange body with a black panel at the top. The
word "Warning" is printed in orange on a black background.
Additional wording and pictograms are printed in black on the lower
portion of the sign.
DANGER SIGNS
Danger signs
indicate an immediate hazard. They inform people about any special
precautions that are necessary.
OSHA states
that there can be no variation in the type of design for signs posted
to warn of specific dangers.
The word "DANGER"
is printed in white letters on a red oval with a rectangular black
field as the background. The body of the sign should be white with
the text message printed in black. Additional pictograms may be
included in the message area on the sign.
BIOHAZARD WARNING
SIGNS
Biological hazard
warnings signify the actual or potential presence of a biohazard,
and identify equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental
animals, or any combination of these, which contain, or are contaminated
with, viable hazardous agents.
BioHazard signs
need to contain the standard biohazard symbol, as well as the word
"BioHazard" or "Biological Hazard".
Employee training
should properly address the meaning and significance of both the
term 'Biohazard' and the biohazard symbol.
CAUTION SIGNS
A caution sign
indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in minor or moderate injury. Caution signs are used in
areas where potential injury or equipment damage is possible, or
to caution against unsafe practices
Caution signs
are usually rectagular in shape. The body is yellow with a black
upper panel and borders. Caution is written in yellow on the black
upper panel. Additional wording and pictograms in the body are black.
NOTICE SIGNS
Use notice signs
to provide general information that is important or relevent to
a building, area, machine or equipment.
Notice signs
can include information about procedures, operating instructions,
maintenance information, information about rules, or directional
information.
Notice signs
are never used for safety related information or warnings. They
are only used to provide general information.
The heading
"NOTICE" should be in white letters on a blue background.
The body of the sign is white, and the message is in black lettering.
Making Safety and
Hazard Warning Signs
Safety, hazard and warning
signs ensure that students, staff, visitors, building occupants,
and emergency personnel have the information they need about dangers
in the workplace. Employers are usually required by law to post
and maintain hazard and safety signs in appropriate areas.
It is important
that hazard warning signs are consistent. By using standardized
patterns, phrases, colors, shapes, and pictograms you'll increase
recognition and avoid confusion. The wording of signs should also
be concise and easy to read. Each sign should contain sufficient
information to be easily understood. The wording should be accurate
in presenting facts, and should make a positive, rather than negative
suggestions.
Both the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Occupational Safety
Hazard Administration (OSHA) have recommended standards for the
use of different kinds of warning signs. These standards should
be consulted before making signs for your facility.
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