Signaling a place involves clearly indicating actions, places, and norms. It is one of the most important conditions of any security and emergency plan. Not only the workers who work in these facilities have to know how to deal with a situation of risk .
Proper signage of a facility ( buildings, industries, etc.) can save lives. The provision of posters and signs that indicate in companies many times, specialists are asked to observe visual points and improve the relationship of space and distribution of elements within industrial and business environments. Signs should be clear and simple for a better understanding. Supervisors in companies and industries have developed a significant improvement in compliance with safety and industrial signage.
Importance of signaling
It is important to keep in mind when carrying out a signaling plan, who have to consider that any individual knows in case of a disaster quickly understand the indicative signals to know where to go and at what speed or with how calm should leave the place. In case of a fire if there is a person who does not work there , the signs have to be understand easily and thus can save his life.
Keep in good condition
When the signaling arrangement has been carried out, it must be borne in mind that the prior and subsequent maintenance of the signaling is essential so that in the case of an emergency the objectives of such an emergency are fulfilled. In several companies there are groups where they do the maintenance of the signs and posters. There should be trainings and also make staff aware of the importance of maintaining signage. In addition it should be known that the material with which the posters are made must comply with quality standards and current legislation in order to ensure the correct effectiveness of all signaling elements.
There are several types of signage such as:
• Warning: It is the one that warns of a risk or danger
• Prohibition: A sign that prohibits behavior that could cause a hazard.
• Obligation: Signal that forces a determined behavior.
• Relief or Rescue: A sign that gives indications regarding emergency exits, first aid or rescue devices.
Points to know that are necessary:
• Know the risks that exist in your company, once you identify them, find out the appropriate signs to identify the risks encountered.
• Identify, request and install the signs in the necessary places.
• Signals should be in visible places for any worker, customer or anyone who walks
Safety Colors:
• Red: Means stop or prohibition and also identifies fire elements. Ex: alarms, firewalls.
• Yellow: Only used with it black and can be machines that can hit, cut or electrocute. Also for the unevenness.
• Green: Means safe condition. Ex: emergency exits, first aid kits, safety shower or access door to first aid room, among others.
• Blue: It means obligation. Ex: covers of electrical boards, use of epp.
Companies must have a program that is consistent with what is done in their company, they have to take care of the safety of their workers, if not also of third parties or visitors who are inside their company. All types of signaling should have two characteristics: clarity and simplicity.
There are different categories of signaling:
• Optics
• Acustica
• Olfactory
• Tactile
Types of signals
• Signs in the form of a triangle: they should be as simple as possible
– They must be of a material that resists the best possible
– They must be installed in a height and in a suitable position
– It must be a black pictogram on a yellow background, He yellow must cover at least 50% of the signal.
Circular signs: They are forbidden
– They must have black pictogram on white background, borders and red transverse bands
Circular signal: (blue background)
– Must have white pictogram on blue background, blue must cover at least 50% of The surface of the signal
Rectangular or square signs:
– They must have the white pictogram on it green background, the green color should cover it 50% of the surface of the signal.
Light signals: the light should produce a luminous contrast appropriate to where it is located
– Two signals should not be used at the same time as they can not lead to confusion.
Acoustic signals: must have a sound level higher than the ambient noise level, without becoming excessively annoying.
Verbal signals: affected people should know the language as:
– Start: to take the control socket
– Stop: to stop or end a move
– End: to finish the operations
– Hoisting: to hoist a load
– Lower: to lower a load
Useful information !!