Holiday Workplace Safety: Signs & Safety Tips

‘Tis the season to be extra careful at work! Last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1.1 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses that required workers to take at least one day off to recover were reported. Workplace injuries are most common around the holidays, and not just for inherently dangerous industries. Even office and retail workers are exposed to more risks around the holidays.

What are some of the most common injuries around the holidays?

Injuries due to fatigue, rushed work, lack of focus, ladder falls, electrical shock and food poisoning are among the top ways that workers get hurt this time of year. Many of these common injuries occur in office and retail environments, where staff are doing seasonal work, such as hanging lights or decorations in high places.

Also, “in the run up to Christmas many workplaces are open longer hours and recruit temporary workers, which means there is a sudden increase of new people who might not be familiar with an organization’s working practices.” (Enhesa Worldwide Compliance Intelligence) 

Also, employers may not consider other risks, like the spread of the flu, or food poisoning. Workers commonly fall sick due to holiday food platters that are not stored properly. Common colds and other illnesses can be reduced by enforcing hand washing and sanitizing in the workplace.

In which industries are workers most susceptible to injuries?

The construction and transportation fields are among the riskiest industries year-round, but especially around the holidays. In these particularly dangerous industries, seasonal employees may not receive proper safety training in preparation for the Christmas season. More teen workers are also on the job, which exposes staff to injuries brought on by a lack of experience.

Construction workers are three times as likely to be killed and twice as likely to be injured as workers in other fields. These risks can be greatly lowered through proper training, hazard assessment and requiring workers to wear protective gear. OSHA-required safety signage should be properly placed and maintained in any environment that exposes employees to injuries.

Moreover, traffic is heavier during the Christmas season, which only heightens the risk for transportation workers who are driving on icy roadways and transporting heavy loads.

Other Common and Preventable Holiday Injuries

No matter what type of environment employees are working in, the risks are higher during the busy season. Workers are under extra pressure to perform, whether it’s to meet sales goals or to produce the products that are shipped to hasty customers. Retail workers are known to work extended hours, which leads to fatigue. Mail carriers are pushed to deliver packages on time. The list goes on.

What can employers do to ensure they offer a safe holiday work environment?

Don’t skip safety training. Even seasonal employees should receive adequate training that adheres to company and OSHA standards.

Post signage. Anywhere there is a risk to health or safety, a sign should be placed to warn or remind employees to take precaution. This safety signage can include everything from “remember to wash your hands” signs to “danger high voltage.”

Provide hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. The holiday season is also flu season. Make sure employees are healthy and productive by keeping germs under control in the workplace.

Monitor hours on the clock. Managers should keep close watch on their employees’ hours. Ensure proper breaks are being taken, and that teen workers are not working more than 8 hours in a day. This protects workers from fatigue, but also keeps employers safe from citations or fines.

Put things where they belong. Keep ladders, tools, electrical wires and other potentially hazardous objects in locked rooms that are only accessible by authorized personnel. Also store food at proper temperatures to prevent food poisoning!

Require proper attire. Depending on the risks inherent to each industry, different dress codes should be expected and enforced. From requiring that office workers wear closed toe shoes to demanding that construction workers wear hard hats, it’s vital to ensure employees are protected from harm.

Remind employees of potential hazards. Do staff members forget to turn off the toaster oven in the break room? Are Christmas lights not being turned off at closing time? Post signage to remind employees to turn off appliances or devices that can become fire hazards.

Many workplaces have unique or uncommon risks. You can create a safety sign that is specific to your office or warehouse needs.

CustomSigns.com has a full line of industrial and workplace safety signage that can be customized and shipped next business day.

Do what you can today to make your workplace safer for the holidays and year-round!

Sources:

https://www.enhesa.com/flash/tis-season-be-alert-occupational-injuries-rise-during-festive-season

https://www.bls.gov/osmr/pdf/st130230.pdf

Related Posts:

How to Increase Workplace Safety During the Summer

Understanding OSHA and Displaying Proper Signage

OSHA’s National Youth Safety Initiative

Choose the Best Materials to Make Your Signs Work for You

Have you ever considered how many times a day signs affect your life? Road signs, menu board signs, entrance, exit, and restroom signs, grocery store signs, storefront signs, election signs, movie marquis, the list is endless!  We continually look to signs for information and guidance, often without being consciously aware. According to NVISION, a supply chain management organization, 90 percent of the information transmitted to our brains is visual, and most people are 6.5 times more likely to recall visual information after three days than auditory information.  Well thought out signs are ideal for relaying messages that you want or need others to know and remember.

Once you have developed your message, displaying that message on the appropriate sign is equally as important. Materials matter. Quality custom signage is a worthwhile investment that is most likely to return dividends far beyond its initial cost. Here, we’ll answer some key sign questions that will help you make informed, effective decisions about which signs will best meet your needs.

Vote Signs CustomSigns.com

Three Best Outdoor Sign Materials

What is Sintra Board?

Sintra Board is one of the best sign materials for withstanding extreme weather conditions and maintaining its integrity through long term exposure to the elements. This rigid, weatherproof, non-flexible paneling material is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), resists warping or bending, and does not break easily. Sintra Board effortlessly absorbs color and has a low gloss, matte finish.  Often used for permanent outdoor signage, Sintra Board also is ideal for real estate and yard signs.

What is Coroplast?

The brand name for corrugated plastic, Coroplast is also referred to as plastic cardboard. An ultra-lightweight zigzagged Coroplast sheet is placed between two smooth sheets of plastic to form signs of various shapes and sizes. While Coroplast is durable, waterproof and weather resistant, it is an economical option best used as temporary outdoor signage, for example, election signs, holiday special signs, car wash signs, open house signs, or custom neighborhood yard signs, just to name a few. Coroplast is easily affixed to H-Stakes or mounted into frames for ready-to-go use.

What is Dibond?

Dibond is an aluminum composite that is made by filling two aluminum sheets with a polyethylene core. Exceptionally durable and resembling the structural integrity of metal, Dibond can be cut into a variety of custom shapes and sizes, perfect for creating signs that stand out from the others. This lightweight, rigid material is weather resistant, noncorrosive, available in a multitude of colors, and can be made with a matte, glossy, or mirrored finish. Because of its versatility and appeal, common uses include outdoor signage and temporary setups such as kiosks or exhibition stands.

The Best Indoor Sign Materials

What is Gator Board?

Commonly used for temporary yard signs, Gator Board is a firm, lightweight material ideal for permanent indoor signs. Manufactured from a dense foam interior placed between two wood fiber veneers, these veneers superbly  absorb vivid, full color inks and images that will stand the test of time. Water, scratch, and dent resistant, Gator Board is known for its structural integrity. Gator Board also is used for mounting posters and photographs and makes attractive conference or temporary kiosk displays.

What is Foam Core?

Best for indoor and temporary uses, foam core is made of a dense piece of foam placed between two layers of thick matte paper. With its low glare finish and versatility, it is often used for classroom projects like science fair displays. Foam core also works well for presentations or temporary store displays.

What is Ultra Board?

Because Ultra Board is made with a covering of polystyrene plastic, it is considered one of the most durable indoor sign materials. This material is scratch and warp resistant and is able to be cut or folded to support its own weight, for example freestanding life size Ultra Board cut outs that often feature celebrities.

At Customsigns.com, our Design Your Sign From Scratch page is the ideal starting point for creating signs that will perfectly fit your needs. Follow our link to get started today!

Can Yard Signs be Recycled?

Most yard signs are recyclable! If your yard signs are made of corrugated plastic (Coroplast) and metal H-Stakes, simply separate the stakes from the signs and place them in your recycle bin or drop them at your nearest recycling center.  Polypropylene, a main component of most plastics, is not biodegradable. Therefore, recycling is a much better option than making a long term contribution to your local landfill.

What Other Signs or Sign Components are Recyclable?

Recycling guidelines vary widely within counties, communities, and other municipal jurisdictions. To help you determine whether your specific signs (or parts thereof) are recyclable, contact your local recycling facility. In addition, below are the most common recycling symbols and the materials they represent.

1 – Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene (PETE)

Soft drink, juice, water, detergent, cleanser, cooking, and peanut butter jars.

2 – High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Milk and water jugs, bleach, detergent, and shampoo containers, plastic bags and grocery sacks, motor oil bottles, household cleansers, and butter tubs.

3 – Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Window cleaner, detergent bottles, water jugs, cooking oils, and peanut butter jars.

4 – Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Plastic bags and grocery sacks, film packaging, and some bottles.

5 – Polypropylene (PP)

Syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, caps, straws, and film packaging.

6 – Polystyrene (PS)

Egg cartons, meat trays, plates, flatware, carry out containers, and clear trays.

7 – Other

Resins or plastic combinations.

For more information on how to make custom signs work for your business, please see our related blog posts:

Tips for Designing Visually Effective and Interesting Signs

Making Temporary Signs Work for You

Political Yard Signs, What You Should Know 

Banner Design Tips – Marketing Your Business or Event in Style

From local small businesses to national companies that are looking for an economical way to market to the masses, vinyl banners are an ideal choice. Vibrant, colorful, and attention-grabbing, banners are versatile and offer a creative channel to communicate with potential customers or clients. Banners look beautiful while hanging and, when thoughtfully designed, can influence the behaviors of local consumers.

 

Banners offer a variety of benefits –

  • Custom designed for your specific message or promotion, banners are a colorful, eye-catching way to attract the attention of hundreds of people a day
  • Available in custom sizes to fit your needs, banners are ideal for small shops, big business spaces, and everywhere in between
  • Banners are a cost-effective method of marketing your message to multitudes of people within a given time
  • Lightweight and durable, our flexible banners are easy to install, weather and fade resistant, and neatly roll for compact storage
  • Reusable and easily movable, banners are perfect for displaying messages precisely when and where they’re needed

Vinyl Banners 101

How Are Banners Constructed?

Our banners are made from high quality 13 oz. woven fiber vinyl with gloss finish, ideal for repeated indoor/outdoor use. Our vinyl is tear and fade resistant, providing exceptional print quality and affordability. Our banners include a reinforced hem to prevent fraying.

What Are Grommets?

Grommets are small metal rings placed on vinyl banners that provide reinforced holes for hanging. These small metal rings provide extra stability and help protect banners from tearing while hung. Grommets are placed in all four corners; additional grommets are added around banner perimeter as required for proper fastening.

 

printastic.com

 

What Are Wind Slits?

Wind slits are small, half-moon shaped cuts made directly in the vinyl that allow wind to easily pass through the banner while reducing wind pressure and stress.

Banner Cleaning and Storage

Clean with mild soap and warm water on a slightly dampened soft cloth and dry thoroughly before storing. To avoid wrinkles or creases, store banners loosely rolled in a cool, dry place.

Displaying Your Banner

When installing a banner, do not overstretch or pull the material too tightly. Especially when hanging outside where wind or rain may tug at the banner, leaving a bit of ‘play’ for the banner to gently move will prevent unnecessary damage.

Popular Banner Sizes and Costs

With our custom Design Your Own Banner tool, creating the perfect banner is ideal for whatever merchandise you’re marketing or event you’re promoting.

Popular banner sizes and costs are –

  • 2’ x 3’   $19.95

Ideal for small spaces, windows, or hanging above merchandise or behind registers. Smaller banners can leave a big impression.

  • 3’ x 6’   $37.95

Ideal for posting on storefronts or promoting special events, these banners are versatile and visible.

  • 4’ x 8’   $67.95

Ideal for hanging high atop buildings or storefronts, these signs are designed to attract attention from travelers from a distance with a message they’ll remember.

Designing an Effective Banner

To promote your brand effectively, designing a banner with a valuable message is essential. Here are our five key tips for designing an effective banner –

Perfect your message!

Less is more. Messages that are short, clear, and concise are more readily remembered by potential customers or clients who are busy and often distracted. For large, outdoor banners five to eight words is ideal, indoor banners should not exceed 15 words or a few short phrases. Keep images and embellishments to a minimum. Too much visual clutter will detract from your core message.

Size matters.

Whether your banner will be read closely or from a distance, choose a banner size that will easily convey your message. Banners that will be read from the street should be larger and include text that is easily readable, while for interior spaces, smaller signs will pack a big punch.

 

Location, location, location.

Banners should be hung where they will get consumers’ attention, yet not distract from your message. Avoid placing banners over your store name, for example, or in hard to see places. Indoor banners should be strategically placed to lead customers and clients further inside or encourage them to ask questions or for additional information.

 

Consider color and contrast.

Ideally, the colors on your banner should match or complement your brand’s identity. A single color background will create a more polished, professional look. The greater the contrast between the banner background, font, and graphics, the better its readability will be.

Fonts and graphics.

When choosing font styles, simplicity is key. Stay away from fonts that are too elaborate or challenging to read. No more than two complimentary styles are best. Graphics should be high resolution and clearly relate to your message.

Whether you’re promoting a grand opening, a special event, that spectacular sale or professional services, Customsigns.com makes it easy to create the banners you need for your business. Design your custom banners from scratch or choose from one of our templates. With our custom design tool, your perfect banners are just a click away.

For more information on how to make banners work for you, please see our related blog posts:

Making Temporary Signs Work for You

Custom Banners for School Events

Tips for Designing Visually Effective and Interesting Signs

Making Temporary Signs Work for You

Chances are travelers notice hundreds of temporary signs as they trek through neighborhoods and cities, urban and suburban areas. Whether traveling by automobile, bus, train, taxi, or bicycle – even walking or jogging – public and private properties are teeming with temporary signage competing for attention.  If getting your signs – and your message – noticed is the name of the game, understanding the ins and outs of making temporary signage work for you is key!

What Are Temporary Signs?

Temporary signs are those designed to provide information for an event limited by a specific time frame. Examples include: political campaigns, real estate sales or rentals, construction sites, civic events, or any type of promotion aimed at the general public.  Temporary signs are also used as short-term signage solutions announcing “Coming Soon!” or “Remodeling Underway”, virtually any reason that permanent signs are not in place.

Custom Coming Soon Banner

Temporary signs come in many forms, including:

Banners – Signs made of durable, flexible materials that can be attached to walls or windows, hung from ceilings, and can be used indoors or out, depending upon the material the banners are made of

Political/Election Signs – Signs made especially to promote a candidate or a political agenda; typically these signs are only permitted to be displayed on private property and must be removed a specific number of days after voting has taken place

Real Estate Signs – Signs designed to advertise the sale or rent of specific properties, whether private or commercial; these signs are non-illuminated and are generally limited to one sign per property

Construction Signs – Signs erected at construction sites displaying individuals or businesses that are associated with a project; usually only one temporary sign is permitted per construction site

Directional Construction Signs – Signs directing those visiting construction sites and/or making deliveries to proper entrances and exits

Wayfinding Signs – Signs strategically placed to guide and/or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic when temporary detours are required

Yard Signs – Outdoor signs that can be single or double sided, designed to display a message to passersby; these signs are free standing and often supported by H-stakes

Light Boxes – Illuminated boxes of various sizes that can be free standing or affixed to a wall; interchangeable letters, numbers, and symbols allow temporary messages to be displayed and changed as needed

Indoor Temporary Signs – Signs made to inform people of temporary situations, such as when something is “Out of Order” or “Temporarily Out of Stock”; custom temporary signs that can easily be attached with Velcro give a much more professional appearance than a handwritten or computer printed piece of paper affixed with tape

What are the Benefits of Temporary Signs?

Temporary signs provide an exceptional platform for sharing your message with the masses. These signs are a cost effective marketing tool that can help your business – or your candidate – stand out from the competition. These signs can be exceptionally helpful in promoting a home-based business where additional signage is impractical and/or not permitted.

Additionally, temporary signs are easy to install and remove as needed. Durable, lightweight, and often weather resistant and reusable, temporary signs are portable and help to support the tried and true adage that location is everything!

What Are the Challenges of Temporary Signs?

Some of the biggest challenges for posting temporary signs are the varying rules and regulations in place throughout the country. These can be based on the density of a given area as well as local zoning laws. Public safety is also of concern, for both pedestrians and moving vehicles. Rules may be in place limiting the number of temporary signs that can be posted in a given area, as well as standards that specify font sizes and contrast levels to reduce potential accidents caused by those attempting to view hard to read signs. To make temporary signs stand out and effectively relay your message, less is more. Convey your message in clear, concise language with simple graphics and fewer colors to reduce visual clutter and enhance readability.

Historic districts often also have their own set of special regulations designed to maintain the integrity of local historic districts or landmarks. A temporary sign should never take away from the historic character of these thoughtfully preserved areas.

Urban vs Suburban Signs

Urban areas, such as bustling downtown districts, often have greater pedestrian and vehicle traffic than their suburban counterparts. Therefore, it is important to plan temporary signage that has a compelling, effective message that is clearly visible to travelers quickly moving from one destination to another. Successfully, and safely, catching a potential customer’s or voter’s attention is the name of the game.

Creating effective urban signage is not without its challenges. Often, clutter becomes a concern when an abundance of temporary signs are vying for prime visual space. Additionally, urban areas typically have countless permanent (most often illuminated) signs as far as the eye can see.

Customsigns.com carries an exceptional selection of customizable temporary signs sure to meet your needs. Our Customer Focus Team is here to guide you or answer any questions you may have along the way.

For more information on temporary signs, please see our related blog posts:

Tips for Designing Visually Effective and Interesting Signs

Political Yard Signs, What You Should Know

The Importance of Understanding OSHA and Displaying Proper Signage for Workplace Safety

While OHSA is a commonly recognized name throughout the business world, it is safe to say that a large number of employees are unfamiliar with what OSHA is designed to do. OSHA, or the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, is a governmental oversight organization designed to hold employers responsible for providing a safe, healthful work environment for all employees and visitors.

OSHA Health and Safety in the Workplace

While OSHA does not specifically have an official regulatory section devoted solely to office safety, several standards and additional links can be found in OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs, applicable to workplace environments, as well as an OSHA Self-Inspection Checklist for Office Safety.  

OFFICE HEALTH AND SAFETY – First and foremost is the health and well-being of every office employee and visitor. While office environments may appear to be relatively safe on a day-to-day basis, accidents do happen and employers often are at risk for losing thousands of dollars annually due to accidental injuries or illnesses. Add to that higher insurance premiums that are sure to follow, the loss of revenue from the need to replace an employee or employees (even temporarily), and the potentially high costs of workers’ compensation claims. And when the employer is at fault, personal injury claims for negligence can be significant.

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS – Slips, trips, and falls can happen anywhere and are one of the leading causes of workplace injury. Things that may not appear to pose a hazard can actually cause significant injury, for example, wet or recently waxed floors, boxes in an isle way or objects blocking exits, open cabinet or filing drawers, fallen objects, loose power cords across walkways, and food spills, just to name a few. OSHA does provide guidelines for developing a safety policy at your place of business, with the understanding that training all employees is the key to success. Posting the appropriate safety signage can be an effective first step in alerting employees and visitors to be aware of certain situations where an accident may occur.

FIRST AID AND SAFETY – OSHA approved first aid includes the following:

  • Administering nonprescription medications at nonprescription strength
  • Administering tetanus immunizations ONLY (all others are considered medical treatment)
  • Cleaning, flushing, or soaking surface wounds
  • Applying wound coverings including bandages, gauze pads, butterfly bandages, or Steri-strips
  • Applying hot or cold therapy
  • Using temporary stabilization devices, such as splints, slings, or neck collars
  • Using eye-patches and removing foreign objects from eyes ONLY with irrigation or q-tips
  • Removing a splinter or other foreign body with tweezers, irrigation, cotton balls, or other simple means
  • Drinking fluids to alleviate the effects of heat stress

OFFICE SAFETY AND CHEMICAL USAGE – Chances are the cleaning and/or bathroom closets and cleaning supply area for the kitchen or break room are full of chemical products. Even “green” or organic products require proper precautions. When any chemicals are present in an office setting, OSHA requires proper training for all employees for handling chemical spills and other accidents appropriately.

Training specifics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Never mix cleaning products, especially those containing ammonia or bleach
  • Be aware of which cleaning products/chemicals require dilution and by how much
  • Proper chemical product usage and storage
  • Appropriate emergency procedures for caring for the patient and appropriately cleaning the contaminated office area(s)
  • Understanding the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn when cleaning chemical spills, for example, chemical-approved gloves, goggles, and body suits
  • Always CLEARLY LABEL all cleaning and chemical containers with their contents and potential hazards
  • Proper ventilation to avoid buildup of dangerous vapors and chemical fumes
  • Thorough hand and arm washing after use of any and all cleaning and/or chemicals

GERMS AND BACTERIA IN THE OFFICE – Just about everyone has experienced how rapidly germs and sickness spread through the workplace, causing absenteeism to skyrocket and productivity to significantly decline. Consider the confined spaces that workplaces often include, add to that frequent sneezing and coughing near or by those around you. Additionally, we share water fountains, door handles, copy machines, faucets, and everything in between.

To combat the spread of illness in the workplace, OSHA has developed basic safety procedures for promoting the highest levels of health and safety. These include: proper hand washing techniques, cough etiquette, and the installation of “no touch” waste receptacles for used tissues, disposable towels, and cleaning supplies, among others. These wastebaskets should be placed generously throughout all office spaces.

PROMOTING A POSITIVE FEELING IN THE WORKPLACE – No matter what the goal, when everyone in the work group takes individual ownership – led by example from the top down – success is most likely to follow. Positive attitudes across the board help employees not only to perform better, but to feel like he or she plays an important role in the success of the organization.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND SAFETY – Workplace violence is a serious problem, and can occur either inside or outside the work environment. Violent acts can cover anything from threats or verbal incidents to physical altercations and even the loss of life. According to OSHA, more than 2 million Americans annually are victims of workplace violence. OSHA has put together a detailed fact sheet addressing workplace violence that every business should read and follow.

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

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

The Importance of OSHA Signs for Construction Sites

How to Increase Workplace Safety Over the Summer

Caution, Warning, and Danger Signs Explained

OSHA’s National Youth Safety Initiative


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

Top 10 Confusing & Funny Signs

Signage is everywhere you turn, inside and outside. From restroom doors to highway rest stops, there is signage designed to communicate countless different messages. There are fundamental basics to effective sign design, but many signs obviously don’t follow the rules. Bad signs fail to communicate their message and often convey a different idea altogether,  leaving drivers and passers-by confused or amused. We’ve rounded up the top 10 of our favorite confusing signs to illustrate why it’s important to follow basic design principals when creating custom signage.

1. Do Not Breathe Under the Water. This sign is so confusing it’s funny. What happened to inspire the posting of this sign? Swim safety and pool rules signs should communicate a clear message, not raise more questions. (See our pool rules signs: https://www.customsigns.com/safety-signs/pool-safety)

https://klyker.com/confusing-signs/wtf-confusing-signs-11/

2. Garbage Only, No Trash. Is there a separate sign posted that explains the difference between garbage and trash? This message may have needed two signs, such as recycling and bottles only, perhaps. (See our recycle signs: https://www.customsigns.com/pre-designed-templates/recycle-signs)

https://www.memecenter.com/fun/3972741/funny-confusing-signs

3. Left Lane Must Left Lane. Is “left lane” a verb? How can a person “left lane” something? This sign will undoubtedly confuse drivers. It’s vital that traffic and safety signs are easy to understand. (See our safety signs: https://www.customsigns.com/safety-signs)

http://boredomtherapy.com/funny-mistakes-in-signs/

4. Office Hours. Remember, less is more. We understand this office hours sign may be intended to be funny or sarcastic, but think of the person who just wants to visit the business. Will they read all of this? If they do, they’ll be downright exhausted afterward. Office hours signs should clearly state open and close times.

http://listposts.com/hilarious-things-that-will-leave-you-scratching-your-head-in-confusion/

5. Parrallel Parking. Someone should double check each sign for spelling and grammar errors well before it hits production. This parallel parking sign is just not good. (See our parking signs: https://www.customsigns.com/pre-designed-templates/custom-parking-signs)

https://klyker.com/confusing-signs/

6. What!? This sign is so confusing it could cause accidents. Imagine driving past this and trying to make sense of it. A stop sign may have been more effective. (See our road safety signs: https://www.customsigns.com/safety-signs/road-safety-signs)

http://newsglobal24.com/funny-and-confusing-road-signs/

7. Sign Not in Use. Why is this sign even posted? If not “in use,” what purpose is it serving? Shouldn’t someone just remove the sign?

http://emgn.com/s2/17-painfully-confusing-signs-written-absolutely-clueless/

8. Tanning, Hot New Lamps. Drive Thru Now Open! It’s also important to remember sign placement. The placement of these banners creates a whole new meaning, and a rather interesting visual. Does this tanning business offer drive-thru burns?

http://blog.ivman.com/sign-language/

9. 4 Third Floor. Imagine stumbling upon this sign. Are you on the 4th or 3rd floor? Is the 4th floor next? It makes no sense. Wayfinding, room name and room number signage should easily lead the visitor to their destination without confusion. (See our room and wayfinding signs: https://www.customsigns.com/room-signage)

http://emgn.com/s2/17-painfully-confusing-signs-written-absolutely-clueless/2/

10. Please Do Not Throw Berries. This sign was obviously created for a reason, but if someone has to explain the sign, is it really effective? It does at least inspire a giggle. Throwing berries sounds fun…

https://klyker.com/confusing-signs/

At CustomSigns.com we’ve made custom signs since 1954. We’ve had more than 60 years to learn the ends and outs of creating effective signage. Be sure to read our blogs about designing visually effective signs and creating ADA compliant signs.

 

Tips for Designing Visually Effective and Interesting Signs

As a content writer who has written about signs galore, I have discovered an occupational hazard. I notice signs. Everywhere I go! Signs are everywhere: the good, the bad, and absolutely atrocious. There are plenty of shameful signs out there.

For businesses and consumers alike, signs are an investment and are designed to achieve a specific promotional or informational purpose. CustomSigns.com will help design the signs you need to meet your promotional goals, including yard signs, directional signs, banners, or safety signs, just to name a few. To get you started, we’ve compiled the following tips so that you can design visually effective and interesting signs that are sure to get the attention they deserve.

Baby Shower Banner

Features of Poorly Designed Signs

There are multitudes of ineffectively designed signs out there, barely grabbing the attention of anyone whizzing by, whether by bus, car, bike, or even walkers out for a stroll. Signs tend to be crammed with entirely too much information, including text, colors, pictures, or logos, among others. Perhaps the size of the sign is all wrong for the message that is meant to be conveyed.

When it comes to effective signs, keep them visible and legible – less is always more!

The Benefits of Good Signage | Signs That Are Thoughtfully Made and Easily Readable

When signs are designed and custom made for your specific needs, they will become an integral part of your marketing and branding outreach efforts. Signs are economical, easy to install, custom, and an affordable way to advertise or spread your message. The professionals at CustomSigns.com are here to assist you every step of the way.

How to Create Appealing and Effective Signage

First, it is important to determine the type of signs you need. At CustomSigns.com, we’ve got you covered with banners, corrugated plastic yard signs, aluminum signs with vinyl overlay, street signs, and vinyl signs, just to name a few.

How to Design Your Signs

There are many factors that should be taken into consideration before and during your design process. First and foremost, signs should be attractive, reusable (when appropriate), clear, concise, easily readable, and visually appealing.

Things to Remember When Designing Signs:

  • Make sure that your signs are able to withstand normal weather conditions
  • There should be either white or plainly colored space that includes no text or graphics; this ensures ease of readability and conveying your message to the reader
    • Ideally, between 30 and 40 percent of a sign’s surface area should be left blank
  • Choose the size of your signs wisely, considering how far away readers will be and the areas they will be viewed from
  • Remember! Less is more when it comes to sharing your message, too many words are difficult to read from a distance and add unnecessary clutter
  • When choosing font style, thoughtfully choose lettering styles that are easy to read when viewed from afar
  • If using more than one font, choose styles that complement one another and limit each sign to two fonts; this will help your message to be more easily read
  • Only use capital letters when necessary; using all caps will make your text more challenging to read
  • If you have a specific phrase or key words to highlight, do so with bold font or  black lettering
  • Group information logically, strategically separating your design layout and blank spaces
  • Sometimes, text is not necessary to relay the message of your sign, an eye-catching, self explanatory graphic is simple, yet effective

Did you know?

  • Adding a border can increase readability, especially for roadside signs
  • To make signs more easily readable from a distance, choose foreground and/or background colors that enhance the signs’ text and/or images
  • Graphics and digital pictures can greatly enhance the look and impact of your custom signs
  • Consider adding photos, official logos, artwork, or any other visually appealing design that relate to your signs’ message(s)

Where should my signs be placed?

You want your signs to be noticed – and remembered!

  • Post your signs in places where they are likely to get maximum exposure from your target audience
  • Be aware of placing your signs where potential obstructions may serve as obstacles preventing a clear view of your signs – without visibility by your target audience, your signs serve no useful purpose!

At CustomSigns.com, we are here for you, our valued customer. Whether you need help choosing premade signs that are right for you or would like to design your own signs, our knowledgeable Customer Focus Team is here to assist you every step of the way, before and after the sale. All of our products are made in our state-of-the-art facilities right here in the USA, where your complete satisfaction is our goal!

How Proper Signage Helps to Promote Safety, Health, and Wellness in Schools – Part 2

As the back-to-school bell rings class into session for the new school year, promoting safety, health, and wellness throughout your school halls is a requirement for ensuring that every student has a wonderful year from start to finish.

Encouraging a Bully-Free Zone in Your School

Turn knowledge into power. Educating students, teachers, and parents about how to identify, stop, or even prevent the bullying problem that continues to escalate in America’s schools today will go a long way in creating a welcoming and safe learning environment for everyone.

There are many forms of bullying. Whether bullying is physical, verbal, electronic, or done directly or indirectly, the emotional tolls are significant and have even led to suicide. Additionally, while bullying affects the victim, it also impacts those who bully others and those who witness bullying take place. According to national statistics, nearly 30 percent of middle and high school students have been the target of bullying, while approximately 70 percent of students say they have witnessed bullying across school campuses.

Schoolbullying.gov is an excellent resource for finding and sharing bullying information, including the following:

What to Look for – Signs of Bullying Behavior

  • Loss of interest in school or declining grades
  • Sudden loss of friends or withdrawal from social activities
  • Frequent nightmares or difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Frequently feeling sick or revealing unexplainable injuries
  • Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem
  • Changes in eating habits, including not eating or binge eating
  • Lost, damaged, or destroyed personal items, such as clothing or electronic devices
  • Self-destructive behaviors that may include self-harm, suicide, or running away from home

Tactics for Preventing Bullying in Schools

Keep Awareness and Communication at the Forefront

  • Creating awareness and building an environment where open communication is welcomed will go a long way in creating the opportunities for connection and bullying prevention.

Click here to order your Stop Bullying vinyl decals

Teach Kindness and Compassion

  • Treating others with kindness and having the ability to see things from someone else’s perspective helps students to better understand others and what they may be going through. With this deeper understanding, students may be less likely to bully and more likely to reach out to others unlike themselves.

Create Opportunities to Connect

  • Bringing others together helps them get to know one another on a more meaningful level. Learning that what you see on the outside is not always reflective of who a person is or how he or she is doing on the inside is a valuable lesson that can go a long way.

Recognize the Signs

  • Being aware of the signs of those who are bullied and those who are bullying others is paramount to recognizing and addressing the problem quickly and effectively.

Encourage a Collective Community

  • To effectively prevent or reduce bullying in any school, it takes the whole community to be aware, communicate, and share the responsibility of ensuring that all students have a safe, open, and nurturing environment where they can grow and learn.

Click here to order your No Bullying signs

Creating a Culture of Awareness and Prevention

Keep bullying awareness and prevention at the forefront by posting reminders that bullying is forbidden on your school campus. At CustomSigns.com, our traditional signs for posting in the hallways or vinyl decals for adhering to classroom doors or windows will keep bullying awareness front and center and encourage potential bullies to think before they act. When the whole school community is actively involved and working together to create an environment centered on kindness and respect toward everyone, positive change is likely to follow.


How Proper Signage Helps to Promote Safety, Health, and Wellness in Schools – Part 1

UPDATED: March 12, 2020

As the school bell rings each morning, parents and teachers are busy ensuring that students have a year full of happy, healthy days in schools everywhere! Promoting safety, health, and wellness in the classroom are sure-fire ways to ensure that students stay healthy, strong, and ready to learn all year long.

In light of recent coronavirus concerns, there are several steps that parents and teachers can take to help keep healthy practices at the forefront and germs at bay throughout the school year and beyond. 

Keep Germs from Sprouting up in Your Classroom

During the school year, classrooms can become breeding grounds for millions of tiny bacteria, causing quite the stir as sniffles and sneezes are constantly whirring in the background. Healthy classrooms promote healthy minds, and promoting healthful practices every day will help keep kids in the classroom and learning at the head of the class.

Promote Practices for Good Health and Hygiene

Establishing healthful habits requires repetition. Remind students every day to do their part to keep germs away. A great place to start is by promoting healthy restroom practices. Proper hand washing is essential for preventing the spread of germs and disease.

While eye-catching hand washing signs will easily remind older children to properly wash their hands, teach the little ones to use lots of soap and water and scrub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. You can customize a hand washing sign with a simple message, give a step-by-step tutorial, or warn of the danger of spreading germs.

Set up hand sanitizing stations around your classroom for an easy way to prevent the spread of bothersome germs. With just a small squeeze of sanitizer before playtime or meals, after recess, or anytime throughout the day, this practice will help keep those germs from invading your classroom. Be sure to put a station at the classroom door, where students can sanitize every time they come or go.

Creating a classroom cleanup routine will encourage everyone to be mindful of daily responsibilities while helping to keep germs away. Have your “classroom cleanup crew” focus on different areas each day, using disinfecting wipes with an alcohol content of at least 60% or 70% (they’re handy, neat, and disposable) to regularly wipe down everything including desks, doorknobs, light switches, handles, computers and keyboards, bathroom sinks, lunch tables, toys, and other surfaces commonly touched throughout the day. Anything little hands touch or any materials that are shared among students should be on the list.

Encourage Personal Space to Keep Germs at Bay

With any contagious disease, including colds, the flu, and the novel coronavirus, establishing personal space is a must, and in classrooms full of children who love to play together and are often in close proximity to one another throughout the day, creating physical boundaries are a must.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend keeping a distance of six feet from one another to avoid the spread of contagious germs and bacteria. In addition, teach children to cough or sneeze into a tissue that can be immediately thrown away, or into the elbows of their sleeves. 

Encourage children to refrain from touching their faces, especially eyes, nose, and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.

Encouraging mindful behaviors and healthy habits in school will help keep germs out of your classroom and students filing in, eager to learn, play and grow all year long!

TEACHER TIP:

All That Glitters – Germs Are Everywhere

First things first! Help children to “see” how germs travel by having students participate in a “sparkling” science experiment that demonstrates the importance of keeping germs at bay. Begin by having each student rub a thin layer of lotion on his or her hands. Next, sprinkle some glitter on each student’s hands, using one color for half the class and another color for the remaining students.

Have the children go around the classroom, shaking hands, opening doors and closets, picking up books, and moving about as usual. After a few minutes, have everyone look at their hands and see that the “glitter germs” have easily spread throughout the class. Finally, have everyone wash their hands with water only, demonstrating that the germs are still there. Then, bring on the soap suds and watch the germs wash down the drain!