Location, location, location – ask any business owner, and they’ll all say the same thing: location is everything!
And we aren’t just talking about where you are relative to your customers and suppliers, either – where things are located inside your property is just as important:
- Workstations should be arranged to allow you to operate and communicate efficiently
- Stock needs to be placed so that it isn’t a massive struggle to move it around
- You’ll also need to leave avenues for forklifts, people and pallets to move around
Most importantly, you need to make sure that your workplace safety signs are located in places where they’re easily visible and can be seen by everyone.
After all, what good is a hazchem sign, emergency information panel or dangerous goods sign if people can’t see it?
Of course choosing a good spot for your signs is only one part of the equation – you’ll also need to make sure that it’s as visible as possible.
And here are a few tips you can use to improve visibility…
5 tips to increase visibility for your workplace safety signs
Tip #1: think about sightlines
To increase the visibility of your safety signages, you need to make sure that you’re aware of sightlines.
Draw an invisible line from your eyes to a specific object – that’s your sightline.
Ideally, sightlines between workstations and safety signs should be clear and unobstructed, with nothing blocking the hazchem sign, emergency information panel or dangerous goods sign. As part of this, your team should know the importance of keeping sightlines clear.
To test this, put yourself at some of your workstations and look at where your signs are currently located. Is your sightline clear? If so, good.
If not, you might need to do a bit of rearranging!
Tip #2: keep signs at eye level whenever possible
Signs should be visible without having to strain your neck – that’s why we recommend installing workplace safety signs at eye level whenever possible.
Keeping your signs at eye level means that your team can see the message whenever they look around without having to deliberately seek it out (assuming sightlines are clear, that is – see above).
Ideally, safety signs should be placed at around the average head level, though you’ll want to tweak things depending on where the sign is.
In particular, you’ll want to consider what “eye level” means for the sign’s location – for example, at some workstations, eye level might be from a seated position.
Not only does this make signs easier to notice, but it also means that people will constantly see the sign while they’re at work, allowing the message to really sink in over time.
Tip #3: size matters
Location isn’t the only thing that matters when installing signs – size does too!
On top of sightlines and eye level, you’re going to need to think of distance. How far are the signs from where people are going to be?
If the answer is “very”, you’re going to need a larger sign to make sure that the message is still visible.
Likewise, if the sign is going to be near where the intended target is, you might want to scale it down so they can see the whole thing.
Test this out for yourself – think about where people normally stand or work, then look at all the important safety signs nearby. Can you read them clearly? If not, you might need to scale up (or down!)
Always remember that the size of your sign should fit the available space. You must also comply with Australian Standard AS 1319, which dictates lighting, environment and even the viewing distance.
As a general rule:
| Upper-case text | Lower-case text | Pictograms |
|---|---|---|
| 5mm per metre of viewing distance | 4mm per metre of viewing distance | 15mm per metre of viewing distance |
Here are some more guidelines for minimum sign sizes. Unsure what standard size you need to choose for your safety signage? Get in touch with our signage experts!
Tip #4: choose the right materials
Sign materials don’t just impact durability – they also impact visibility!
To make your safety signs as visible as possible, you may need to make sure that it is made of reflective materials. This maximises visibility for night activity and during low-light situations, making them more effective (and your workplace safer).
At the same time, it also impacts how long the signs last. Good materials are more resistant to wear-and-tear, meaning the message remains legible for longer. Not only that, but it also saves you money on replacement signs, so that’s a plus!
Luckily for you, our online sign shop exclusively stocks signs made of durable materials, with Uv resistant latex inks.
Tip #5: Prioritise right placement
Carefully choosing safety sign placement is essential if you want it to make sure that staff, visitors and delivery drivers know how to stay safe.
For example:
- Hazchem signs need to be hung up site entrances, as well as near chemical storage locations
- Emergency information panels should be placed near storage areas as well as in vehicles
- Dangerous goods labels should be placed on containers and pallets
Australian workplace safety laws mandate where each type of sign needs to be hung up for maximum visibility. Depending on the type of sign, doors, windows, exits, fences, and even outdoor tanks and containers should be places that you’re thinking about.
If you’re lost, don’t worry – our team can help point out where your signs need to go, walking you through OHS laws as well as identifying other potential areas.
Get the workplace safety signs you need with Signsmart!
Hazchem signs, emergency information panels, dangerous goods labels and more
Signs are a crucial first step in keeping everyone safe while at work. Luckily, our online sign shop has you covered, with a huge range of different workplace safety signs.
Can’t find what you need? No need to worry – we can also make custom safety signs, either from a template or with clean-sheet designs.
Nationwide delivery allows us to service businesses all over the country, while our industry-leading turnaround times ensure you aren’t left waiting for long!
And as experts in hazchem storage and signage requirements, our team can also talk with you about sign locations, giving out pointers to ensure that all of your safety signs are:
- Visible
- Appropriately placed
- Compliant with OHS laws
All you need to do is get in touch!
Call us on (03) 9687 3050 or send us a message and we’ll be in touch with you immediately.
You can also visit us for workplace safety signs in Melbourne: pop into our office at 122 Whitehall Street, Footscray, VIC 3011.
