If you’ve been in the business for a while, you no doubt have strong relationships with suppliers, including sign manufacturers. You’ve probably found a company that you can trust to provide quality signs with minimal waiting time.
But what if you’re only just getting started?
If you’re only just getting started or about to receive your first shipment of dangerous substances, you’ll need to find someone who can supply hazchem signs.
When it comes to workplace safety, you can’t afford to cut corners. This also extends to who you choose for your hazchem and other workplace safety signs.
So, how can you be sure you’ve found somebody who you can trust?
1) Range of signs and emergency information panels
There are many different types of workplace hazards, dangers and risks out there. In particular, there are a lot of potentially hazardous chemicals and substances you might find yourself working with.
As such, when purchasing hazchem signs, it’s important that the sign shop you choose stocks a wide range of signs!
This is especially important when it comes to emergency information panels.
Hazchem signs and labels are used to identify the risk posed (flammable gas, toxic gas, etc) – as such, the number of different class diamonds and GHS labels is relatively manageable.
By contrast, emergency information panels need to provide a lot more information depending on the substance.
Essentially, there’s a unique EIP out there for each dangerous or hazardous substance!
A good online sign shop should stock a wide variety of EIPs for all common (and less-common) substances and hazards, with appropriate codes and numbers.
And while we’re here, it’s also important that they stock more than just hazchem signs and emergency information panels. Workplaces require a multitude of different signs – while this isn’t mandatory, it’s nice to find a store that stocks all of them!
2) A good store does custom signs
So you’ve found that your online sign shop doesn’t stock the right danger sign or emergency information panel.
Thankfully, they offer custom safety signs, so that isn’t an issue!
If you ask us, any place that doesn’t do custom signs isn’t worth sticking around with. If that describes your store, we suggest moving on and finding a new supplier as soon as you can.
Many industries and workplaces deal with rarer substances, each of which require unique emergency information panels and labels for storage and transport.
Some are so rare, that the only option for EIPs is to go custom.
If you ask us, any place that doesn’t do custom signs isn’t worth sticking around with. Luckily for you, most offer this type of service.
If yours is one of the few that doesn’t however, we suggest moving on and finding a new supplier as soon as you can.
Another thing to think about is turnaround. Custom signs generally take longer than an off-the-shelf sign or panel.
As such, it’s also a good idea to find out how long they usually take to turn around a custom safety sign.
And while we’re on the topic…
3) Fast turnaround time
You know what they say: time is money!
Time is an important asset for any business… especially in matters relating to safety and hazardous chemicals.
Say your current sign is dented, and will no longer pass a surprise check from WorkSafe. Alternatively, say you’ve got a shipment of a new substance that you’ve never handled before.
In both cases, you need a new hazchem sign, stat!
A good signage company will be able to deliver your hazchem sign with minimal delay. Their fast turnaround time ensures that you won’t be without essential safety signs and labels for long, thereby minimising the delay to your business.
At Signsmart, we make fast turnaround a cornerstone of our business model. We understand that time is of the essence, which is why we keep a large inventory of common signs and work with fast couriers to get them to you quickly.
In many cases, we’re able to get your hazchem signs to you by the next day!
4) Do they know the laws and regulations?
Did you know? There are strict requirements for hazchem signs, emergency information panels and workplace safety signs.
Australian Standards mandate certain standardised layouts and designs. For example, hazchem signs for transport are always laid out with:
- Chemical / Substance ame in the top-left
- Hazchem diamond in the top right
- A grid on the left featuring UN number, Hazchem code and emergency instructions or contact
There’s no wriggle room – if it doesn’t adhere to this layout, your workplace might be judged as not fit for purpose.
And we haven’t even gotten started on minimum sizes and how those change depending on distance!
In addition to making emergency information panels, hazchem signs and labels, a good sign manufacturer should be familiar with Australian standards and know exactly what requirements your workplace safety signs need to meet.
The best ones go even further, giving advice on some of the other legal requirements you’ll have to meet such as safety data sheets and substances that have their own unique handling requirements.
5) Quality of materials
Never sacrifice the quality to save a couple of dollars!
This is good advice in general – however, it’s especially important when it comes to hazchem signs!
Simply put, worn and faded signs can land your business in hot water should WorkSafe conduct a surprise inspection of your premises.
Not to mention, they also make it harder for guests and visitors to understand the hazards present, which can increase the risk of accidents or mistakes.
At Signsmart, we want to ensure that your business isn’t just 100% compliant with workplace safety regulations, but safe to boot.
As part of that commitment, we’ll help you choose the right materials and paints to maximise visibility and ensure your workplace safety signs can go a long time without replacement.
Looking for hazchem signs, emergency information panels and workplace safety signs?
Get in touch with Signsmart!
So now you know what to look for when buying workplace safety signs online.
Luckily for you, Signsmart ticks all these boxes and more!
Our mission is to provide smarter signage. In addition to providing high-quality signs on short notice, our team also help you with qualified advice and education about regulations when it comes to handling dangerous and hazardous goods.
Check our catalogue for ready-made signs and labels such as:
- Caution, Hazchem, and danger signs
- Emergency and fire service signs
- Notice and mandatory signs
- Prohibition signs
- Traffic and transport signs
- Warehouse and factory signs
Need something custom? Contact Signsmart on (03) 9687 3050 or click here to explore our online shop for all your hazchem signs and labels.
