Most workplaces contain a large number of potential hazards, of which electrical dangers are amongst the most deadly. In the US, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), issue regulations relating to the usage of electrical warning signs.
According to the regulations set out by ANSI and OSHA, a sign must be present when there is a significant risk of injury or death due to electrical hazards. The signs used must clearly indicate the level of danger and the possible outcome if the hazard is not avoided.
The wordage used on an electrical hazard sign relates to the seriousness of the particular hazard. For example, the word “danger” would be used if there is the potential for a life threatening injury. The term “warning” is used for less serious risks, while signs with “caution” and “notice” can be displayed in areas of moderate risk.
These types of signs typically feature rounded edges without any sharp corners which may have otherwise caused injury. A sign that depicts a “danger” message would typically use red and black on a white background. Those that illustrate “caution” usually are yellow and black in color. On each sign, the wording must be of an adequate size to be seen from a reasonable distance.
The symbol used to depict an electrical hazard is lightning bolt. If there is the risk of shock, the bolt can be depicted as going through a hand. If there is a form of static electric hazard, this is often shown as a lighting bolt on a shoe. Buried electric cables are shown by a bolt and arrow pointing downwards into the ground. There are designs that depict an exclamation point within a triangle, these are a universal symbol of danger.
Alongside illustrating the type of hazard that is present, a warning sign should also highlight the consequences if the potential hazard is not avoided. The warning should be easy to understand by people of all ages and nationalities. For this reason, the symbols used are designed to be as clear and obvious as possible.
If you are in charge of a workplace where there are hazards, it is your legal responsibility to ensure that adequate signage is used. If an injury was to occur and no warning sign was present, you would be liable for prosecution. It does not take much effort to ensure that workplaces are secure, the right signs can help to maintain an adequate level of safety at all times.
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