What Is Proposition 65?

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, often referred to as Proposition 65, was adopted by the State of California in response to increasing public concerns about human exposure to toxic chemicals. This legislation requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Updated annually, this list has grown to include more than 800 chemicals.

Proposition 65 mandates that all manufacturers and businesses that make or sell products in California warn consumers about significant levels of harmful chemicals found in the products they purchase, in homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. Equipped with this information, Californians are equipped to make well informed, educated decisions about lessening, or eliminating, toxic chemical exposure.

What Chemicals Are Included on the Proposition 65 List?

Updated annually, Proposition 65 includes a comprehensive list of naturally occurring or synthetic chemicals that are found to be carcinogens or are known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Are Proposition 65 Products Safe?

While a Proposition 65 warning highlights specific chemicals that expose consumers to cancer causing or reproductive toxins that exceed defined threshold levels, it is not a regulatory decision that determines whether a product is safe or unsafe for use or consumption. This decision is left solely for the consumer to weigh the risks and rewards of exposure to a given chemical.

What Are Proposition 65 Safe Harbor Levels?

Proposition 65 safe harbor levels are chemical exposure thresholds whereas a business does not need to provide a warning or discharge prohibition because exposure falls below specific levels. For chemicals, safe harbor levels must pose ?no significant risk levels? as related to causing cancer. For those chemicals known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm, safe harbor levels must measure at or below ?maximum allowable dose levels?.? If no safe harbor level exists for a chemical, a Proposition 65 warning is required.

Is Proposition 65 Effective in Reducing Chemical Exposure?

Proposition 65 has been successful in providing useful exposure information to Californians that may not have been otherwise controlled through state or federal laws. Proposition 65 also has raised public awareness of the negative effects from exposure to specific chemicals. Manufacturers have taken note and have removed many of the listed chemicals from their products. In addition, California has experienced a considerable reduction of chemical air emissions since Proposition 65 became law.

Proposition 65 and Customsigns.com

At Customsigns.com, we are committed to researching the products we purchase from our manufacturers and vendors in order to eliminate, or lessen, exposure to the chemicals listed by Proposition 65. All products being shipped to California that contain these chemicals include a warning displayed during checkout.

For additional information about Proposition 65, please visit California?s Proposition 65 website.

Is Smoking in the Workplace Banned Nationwide?

While there are federal laws in place to protect people from secondhand smoke on federal property and on airplanes, smoking in other areas, including the workplace, is regulated by state and/or local laws. Smoking may be banned in the workplace entirely or restricted to designated smoking areas.

Do Employers Have to Provide Designated Smoking Areas?

An employer is not legally required to provide a smoking area for its?employees; however, if it chooses to do so, it must also provide a smoke-free environment throughout the rest of the work space. Additionally, smoking and nonsmoking areas must be clearly designated with proper signage.

Do Workplace Safety Laws Prohibit Smoking in the Workplace?

While the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) does not regulate smoking, it is responsible for prioritizing workplace safety. Industries that handle explosive materials are required by OSHA to clearly post signs alerting everyone in a given area where smoking is strictly prohibited since doing so could cause fire, explosion, serious injury, or death.

Can My Employer Charge Me Higher Insurance Premiums if I Smoke?

Yes, an employer is legally allowed to charge an employee higher healthcare premiums for being a smoker. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the statute responsible for preventing discrimination from many health conditions, allows employers and insurers to charge higher premiums to smokers and reduced premiums for those who do not smoke.

Can I Smoke in Public Areas?

As demand increases for cleaner air in public spaces, smoking bans have been passed for many public areas across the country, including sidewalks, bus stops, parks and other recreational areas, county fairs and farmers? markets, and outdoor patios, just to name a few. The American Nonsmokers? Rights Foundation provides comprehensive lists and maps of smoke-free areas across the US.

Is Vaping Included in No Smoking Laws?

Since the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated that all electronic, or e-cigarettes, be regulated as tobacco products, there has been a steady increase in laws across the country banning vaping wherever traditional smoking is prohibited.

Can Public Housing, Apartment Buildings, and Other Rental Properties Prohibit Smoking?

In 2006, the Surgeon General?s Office announced that simply separating smokers and non-smokers in public places was not enough to mitigate the effects of secondhand smoke exposure. Specifically, ?cleaning the air and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. The only way to do [this] is by banning indoor smoking altogether.? ??In November, 2016, then HUD Secretary Julian Castro announced that all public housing developments in the US will be required to provide a smoke-free living environment for all residents. This includes all indoor and outdoor areas of each property and smoking will be prohibited within 25 feet of the building or office. This ban officially went into effect on July 31, 2018.

A private rental property landlord can define no smoking rules in and around a rental property by clearly outlining the conditions in the lease agreement. Rules may include no smoking anywhere on the property or include designated smoking areas, such as a yard or pool area. Because smokers are not defined as a protected class under state or federal laws, a landlord is permitted to deny renting to someone who smokes.

At Customsigns.com, our line of no smoking and no vaping signs are ideal for posting throughout buildings or on properties to clearly inform employees and guests?that smoking of any kind is prohibited. Our collection also includes a variety of no smoking stencils and?design-your-own no smoking signs??and vinyl decals. Our Customer Focus Team is here to help you decide which no smoking signs?will best meet your needs.?

For more information on no smoking laws and proper signage:

Please, No Smoking ? Common Smoking Bans

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.

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

The Challenge of Being Dad

According to the Pew Research Center, fathers are significantly more involved in their child?s care than they were 50 years ago. Dads should never be faced with the conundrum of changing a baby on the men?s room floor or other unsanitary places, and fathers everywhere are taking note and spreading the word.

Donte Palmer, a high school teacher and father of three from Jacksonville, Florida, started the #squatforchange campaign after visiting a local steakhouse that did not offer baby changing stations in its men?s room. ?When his one year old son needed a diaper change, he gathered the baby and his 12 year old son and headed for the restroom. Then, in what Palmer calls his ?perfect man squat?, with his older son at the ready to hand over wipes and diaper as needed, he got down to business.

Donte Palmer's "perfect man squat", illustrating the challenges he faces while changing his son in a public men's room.

What is the Bathrooms Accessible in Every Situation Act?

On October 7, 2016, with bipartisan support from Congress, President Barack Obama signed into law the Bathrooms in Every Situation Act (BABIES Act). This new law requires that both men?s and women?s restrooms located in publicly accessible federal buildings (for example, courthouses and US post offices) offer suitable changing facilities for infants and young toddlers. Specifically, the new law requires changing facilities to be ?physically safe, sanitary, and appropriate.?

What Restrooms Are Exempt From the BABIES Act?

The Bathrooms in Every Situation Act excludes the following public spaces from compliance with the new law:

• Any restroom that displays clear, concise signage indicating where changing facilities are located on the same floor of the building
• Any restroom that would require new construction to comply with the law and the cost of construction is unfeasible

Do Individual States Require Changing Tables in Men?s Restrooms?

New York is the first state to adopt a law that requires fathers and other male caregivers to have a clean, safe place to care for a young child?s sanitary needs. The law, which went into effect on New Year?s Day 2019, includes restaurants, stores, movie theaters, and state facilities such as public parks, offices, and all Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices.

New regulations require changing facilities to be easily accessible to both females and males on all publicly accessible floors of every building. In addition, all buildings must conspicuously post restroom signs illustrating the location of the closest changing table facilities.

Now that both federal and New York State laws have been enacted requiring proper changing table facilities in both women's and men's rooms alike, expect other states across the country to adopt similar legislation, making changing time safer and happier for babies and caregivers everywhere.

With these new changing station regulations, it is essential to keep in mind public areas where ADA compliant signs are required by law. At Customsigns.com, we have the signs your public building needs for clearly identifying restrooms with changing table facilities and restroom signs that are ADA compliant. These signs include:

• Women's Restroom Baby Changing Station with Braille?
• Men's Restroom Baby Changing Station with Braille
• ADA Compliant Restroom Signs

For more information on ADA requirements and restroom signs for public spaces, follow the links here:

How to Design ADA Compliant Signs

ADA Signage All Buildings Must Have

Where Should ADA Signs be Posted??

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.

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

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

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

The Value of ADA Signage

Proper ADA signage in public spaces is required by The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to help ensure that persons with visual, hearing, or other sensory disabilities are able to locate and read them easily, either visually or through braille or tactile touch (raised letters). In addition to improving mobility and independence for these individuals, ADA signage also supports safety in public places by ensuring that entrances and exits are clearly marked, visible, and distinguishable from other rooms.

The Basics of ADA Signage

According to the ADA, signs that must be ADA compliant include, but are not limited to, the following:

a) All informational signs (for example ?Employees Only?)

b) All directional signs (for example ?Exit to Lobby?)

c) All overhead signs (for example ?Elevators?)

d) Signs that identify permanently dedicated rooms that will not change function, such as a lunch room, conference room, restroom, or closet

e) Signs highlighting the location of building floors, stairwells, and all exit levels

f) All restroom signs

ADA Signage Requirements

While there are many universal ADA signage requirements, it is important to check individual state laws that may have sign modifications or additional standards.

Where are ADA signs required?

ADA signs are required throughout all public access and employee areas.

Do ADA signs require braille or tactile letters?

ADA signs must include braille and tactile (raised) letters. Braille letters must be Grade 2 (shorthand braille), rounded/domed, and lowercase (other than proper nouns, letters that are part of a room number, initials, acronyms, or before the first word of sentences) and include a minimum 3/8 inch clearance on all sides. Tactile lettering must be 1/32 inch raised capital letters.

Since braille is a translation of words, signs that depict symbols or pictograms ONLY do not require braille.

Are there additional lettering specifications for ADA signs?

ADA signs must use sans-serif or other plain text and include spacing of 1/8 inch between adjoining characters for easy readability.?Text height must be between 5/8 and 2 inches and printed in medium or bold font.

What makes ADA signs easily visible?

ADA signs must be made of high contrasting colors (dark/light or light/dark) for easy readability. Additionally, all signs?(other than traffic and reflective parking signs) must have non-glare backgrounds and characters.

What symbols are ADA-approved for use on signage?

ADA signs may include any of the four approved accessibility symbols for pictograms:

a) Wheelchair, symbolizing mobility

b) An ear, signifying the availability of an assistive listening device

c) Keyboard, representing a text telephone (TTY)

d) Phone symbol with sound waves, representing the availability of a?volume control phone

Pictograms must include a 6 inch high background area with nothing inside other than one of the four approved symbols described above.

a)Text descriptions are required for signs that include a pictogram and label rooms or spaces

<!- ->*Signs with pictograms that provide information about a space do not require text.

b) Tactile text should be directly under pictogram

c) Braille text should be directly under tactile letters

Does the ADA have special installation requirements?

The ADA lists specific installation requirements, depending on the type of sign. Generally, ADA room identification signs must be placed next to the doors they refer to, mounted between 48 inches, measured from the bottom of the lowest tactile character, and 60 inches, measured from the bottom of the highest tactile character, from the ground.

What is required for ADA parking signs?

All ADA parking signs must include the International Symbol of Accessibility, or "Wheelchair Symbol." Signs need to be mounted a minimum of 60 inches from the floor measured from the bottom of the sign. Spaces set aside for vans must include the additional text "Van Accessible."

For a comprehensive guide to all ADA regulations, please visit www.ADA.gov.

At CustomSigns.com, our Customer Focus Team is here to help determine your signage needs and answer any questions you may have along the way. Additionally, we make it easy for you to?design your own ADA signs?that meet current regulatory ADA standards.

See our other ADA blogs:

ADA Signage All Buildings Must Have

Where Should ADA Signs be Posted

Indiana residents now have a choice for how to best protect their property from trespassers. They can use fences, signs, and, now, purple paint to warn the public to stay off of property. This is a new way residents can communicate the ?no trespassing? message. With the law in place, residents have an alternative way to establish a boundary with outsiders.

As of last Sunday, July 1st, 2018, House Bill 1233, also known as the Purple Paint Law, was enacted in Indiana. The law allows residents to put lines of purple spray paint on trees or posts in front of their homes in place of no trespassing signs.

Advantages the Purple Paint Law

Proponents of the law believe using purple paint offers convenience, clear visibility, and a way to prohibit intruders without using signs that may get shot, torn down or damaged from weather. The law provides a solution for residents with ?no trespassing? signs that get consistently damaged or removed. Spraying paint can be cheaper than replacing signs over and over.

?Instead of putting up a sign, which can get ripped down, shot or destroyed in some other way, they think that by painting a purple line everybody will understand,? Daviess County Chief Deputy Gary Allison said, according to Kristi Sander of the Washington Times Herald. ?There are a few other states that do this,? Allison said. ?I think we are the sixth state that has enacted it.?

In some states, like Texas, the purple paint indication is used to specifically prohibit hunting. The message it communicates is designed to protect people, animals and property on the land.

The demarcation must be three to five feet high and eight inches long, according to the Wane.com interview of State Representative Dave Wolkins. ?This is an efficient, simple way for landowners to keep trespassers out,? said Wolkins. ?It will also help minimize a property owner?s liability, prevent accidental trespassing and make it easier to prosecute trespassers. Because the paint cannot be easily removed, it can be effective for several years.?

What Happens to "No Trespassing" Signs?

Homeowners with ?no trespassing? signs will by not impacted by this law, as those signs are still considered valid. You can still purchase and post warning signs ? both paint and signs can be used to keep trespassers away. Looking for tips to keep loitering under control on your commercial property? Read our no loitering blog here.

Posting signs provides an indisputable and recognizable message. Indiana residents may still prefer traditional signs which are versatile and can be positioned intentionally throughout property. Signs can be moved or placed in a visible location. Signs can be customized with a precise message tailored for your property. Also, some people prefer the aesthetic look of a warning sign versus painting their property.

However, lawmakers suggest the purple marking may be more noticeable and longer lasting. It can?t be removed or taken down. Choosing a sign versus purple paint may depend on the landscape of your property and the neighboring areas. If signs are continually damaged, paint is probably preferable. If you are in an area where people are not aware of the new law, having a legible sign may be a better precaution.

With the new law, families have more options for communicating with the public and protecting their homes. The Purple Paint Law gives Indiana residents another way to look out for the safety of their homes. However, the law may need to be in place for some time before the public becomes familiar with the message.

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Small business owners often put all they have into their companies. Whether these business owners wake up before dawn to prepare breakfast at a small diner or put late nights in at an up-and-coming pub, they devote themselves to serving their customers and employees and to offering the best products or services they can. Unfortunately, these same small shop and restaurant owners are often at highest risk of being sued or fined, not because their products aren?t up to par, but because they are often targeted in disability scams. Small businesses are often not aware of the latest ADA standards or are not equipped to meet the needs of disabled patrons. However, what?s worse is that these types of scammers don?t care about whether or not they have actually entered the many small businesses they sue, or that these businesses update their buildings to comply with ADA standards ? they just want money.

Why it's so Important?

A recent case in Jacksonville involved a ?serial suer? who is said to have sued more than 40 small businesses throughout Northeast Florida. The law firm backing this serial suer, who is a double amputee, is suspected to have collected anywhere from $85,000 to $150,000 in the first few months of 2017 alone, all from small businesses that settled pre-suits with the firm. However, there are many small business owners who cannot afford to pay up, and end up suffering.

ADA Standards?

It is vital for businesses to stay in the know about ADA standards. ADA standards are issued by the DOJ and DOT, and are based on the board?s ADA Accessibility Guidelines. There are unique provisions for assembly areas, medical care facilities, lodging, educational buildings, detention and correctional institutions, social service centers and residential buildings. Small business owners should be aware of the DOJ standards that apply to the type of facility they operate from. The latest revised ADA standards were published in 2010, and became mandatory in 2012.

Accesses

Appropriate ADA signs should be used to mark wheelchair inaccessible areas as well as stairwells, elevators, restrooms and fire exits. ADA signs feature visible lettering along with raised braille lettering for visually impaired customers. CustomSigns.com has compliant ADA signs for each use.

Most customers who shop small and local businesses are interested in supporting their community and experiencing all that their city has to offer. However unfortunately, there are those who are out to collect money in any way they can. Every business should be knowledgeable about ADA guidelines, prepared to accommodate disabled customers, and ready to avoid costly lawsuits, whether they are legitimate or not.