How do you know if your business needs fire safety signs and symbols for compliance? Learn more about fire safety signs for your business.
Owning a business comes with a lot of responsibilities.
One of your priorities should be the safety of your employees and the company’s assets. It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the law.
You probably know that as a business owner you have to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA has created what is called the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
This document determines what sort of regulatory signage is necessary for your facility. It includes all sorts of notice and warning signs including fire safety signs and symbols.
The HCS allows some wiggle room when it comes to customizing your signs, but failing to have them all together could get you in some really hot water.
Keep reading to learn more about the types of safety signs your business needs.
Classes of Signs
There are three types of workplace signage required by OSHA.
Any customizations you make to these signs are required to be in compliance with the American National Standards Insitute (ANSI). This is a non-profit that coordinates with OSHA, which is a regulatory program run by the government.
Danger Signs
This type of sign tells workers that special precautions need to be taken.
These signs are reserved for the most dangerous existing conditions like exposed electrical equipment, chemical storage, and high-pressure piping. The safety alert symbol, which features an exclamation point inside a triangle, is a common example of a danger sign.
Warning Signs
Warnings signs are used to identify potential hazards or warn against behavior that is unsafe and may result in serious injury.
These signs are orange with black print and feature a safety alert symbol.
Caution Signs
The final type of sign, the caution sign, is used to identify dangerous situations that might result in minor or moderate injuries if the sign is ignored.
These are signs that give warnings about slippery conditions and advise employees to slow down or watch their step.
Fire Safety Signs and Symbols
Almost every business is required to have certain signage that will help employees safely escape a fire.
Signs that are required for fire based emergencies include signs identifying the location of the nearest fire extinguisher or fire hose. These signs are usually red and white and made of aluminum.
If your workers are properly trained and proper signage is used to direct them, catastrophe can usually be avoided.
Exit signs are a classic element of fire safety. OSHA requires businesses to have emergency exits and evacuation pathways clearly marked.
Exits are usually identified with a familiar illuminated sign. Local states and municipalities dictate whether businesses must use green or red lettering, or whether they can choose for themselves.
Notice signs also help promote fire safety by identifying locations where smoking is prohibited, for example.
Fire Safety for Your Business
If you are wanting to learn more about the fire safety signs and symbols that your business needs or are just looking to improve the fire safety status of your facility, contact us today.
We will help make sure your business is equipped with state of the art fire suppression systems and that your employees know where to find and how to use your fire extinguishers.