You may see 100 of them on the way to work. Signs – They are everywhere. How many of them do you recognize? Probably not many, and this situation might cause problems. Signs are not only on the streets, but also everywhere in your office. Do you see them? Do you realize them? Do they mean anything, or, do they only function to display your workplace as a safe environment to the outsiders?
The signs are placed for warning and training, not for decoration. They can be permanent or temporary, if the danger they point to no longer exists, they lose their influence. Have you ever seen an area with barricades standing after the related work is completed? What happens
in such a situation? Finally, someone notices that the area is not dangerous and starts to use it. After a while everyone starts to do the same thing. When this happens, that barricade is ignored. This situation lasts until the injury of someone trying to cross the barricade surrounding a danger that is not so obvious.
What is the lesson to be learned? If you place a temporary warning, direction sign or barricade during your work, remove the warning signs and the barricade when the job is finished. Do your part to make the warning signs meaningful.
So, when are the warning signs placed? In some cases, you must place warning signs in accordance with regulations. For example, on an air compressor, it should be warning sign indicating that it can work at any moment. A warning sign must be placed at the entrance of a closed area. As a general rule, warning signs should be placed when the danger exists for passers-by or when the danger is unclear for untrained or unaware persons.
The words WARNING and CAUTION are not sufficient alone for the warning signs. There should be a brief description of what the hazard is on the sign. For example: Warning—Closed Area–Do not Enter or Warning—This machine can run automatically at any time.
Do not place unnecessary signs. Place required warnings in visible places. Explain the danger. Remove any unnecessary signs. And remember, if you see a sign, read and pay attention! That sign is there for some reason.
