Difference Between ANSI And OSHA Safety Signs - Article Distribution

Accidents are a common phenomenon at workplaces. Occupational hazards and general accidents can prove to be a major setback to both the employer and the employee as many workdays are lost and productivity diminishes significantly.
 
To prevent accidents at workplace, both occupational and general, OSHA (Occupational Safety And Health Administration) mandates employers to put up relevant safety signs that caution, warn and notify workers and visitors at a workplace about the physical and health hazards around them. These signs are also meant to educate workers on how to avoid the hazards and the necessary precautions to take when encountered with emergencies.

OSHA which is the federal organization in charge of the safety and health legislation enforcement has formulated designs for the safety signs in order to standardize the use of signs all throughout different workplace so that employers and employees both recognize the signs and respond to it quickly.
 
Standardized and uniform designs also shorten the response time when dealing with workplace emergencies.

Besides OSHA, some employers also follow ANSI standards for their safety signs requirements. ANSI or American National Standards Institute is a voluntary organization that develops standards for products and processes including safety signs.

Here we will see the typical differences that an OSHA safety sign and ANSI safety sign carry.

1.  Header

The header in an ANSI sign or label has a triangle with an exclamation point whereas OSHA safety signs have only the signal word. For example, an OSHA sign will read Danger, Warning, Notice or Caution but without the exclamation mark (!).

2.  Image

ANSI’s preference to pictorial in safety sign is probably one of the reasons they are used widely in different workplaces. Images call attention to the sign faster than standard signs without an image. Moreover pictures break the language barrier and help communicate the safety message to people of different linguistic capabilities.

3.  Alignment

ANSI safety signs and labels consist of a large picture or symbol at the center and a left justified message.
 
These are the major differences one would find between ANSI and OSHA safety signs. Although both the signs are widely popular among employers, OSHA signs are preferred over ANSI signs because the latter is not recognizable by law and are agreed upon by a voluntary organization. Another reason why OSHA signs are preferred over ANSI safety signs is that OSHA may change or update an existing safety standard which would put employers in a dilemma to continue with the ANSI safety signs or choose the new signs in line with the updated or changed standard. A safe practice is to go with the OSHA signs but OSHA does not penalize business owners using the ANSI safety signs as long as they offer the same or more protection to employees as an OSHA sign would.

As an employer, you should make your sign buying decisions after fully understanding if that helps in significantly eliminating the possibility of a hazard and if it is consistent with the ongoing OSHA standard.

Health and Safety Signs - Regulations at Work

The provision and use of health and safety signs at work is an imposition brought by the EC Safety Signs Directive (92/58/EEC). The purpose of the directive is to implement the use of standardized signs among European Union member states. The regulations comprise mainly of ways and means, on how to effectively communicate information pertaining to safety. This includes the use of spoken communication, illuminated signs even hand and acoustic signals through the use of fire alarms. The use of fire safety signs relative to exits and firefighting equipment is also included in the list.

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 require employers to provide specific signs to indicate high-risk work places. For instance, the use of road traffic signs within areas is meant to regulate road traffic. Employers also need to properly maintain these signs as well as to explain the meaning of signs to employees if necessary.

The regulations also apply to areas and activities where exclusion of labels and signs are made in relation to their field of work. For example, if employees deal with supply of dangerous products, goods and equipment. It is likewise important for employers to determine which areas or places need further assessment, to identify possible safety requirements.

Health and safety signs are meant to provide assistance and guidance to people, particularly employees. The signs are also meant to provide clear messages towards prevention and safety. There are signs specifically designed for non-smoking areas. There are also signs referring to potential dangers and hazards. In some places, signs are even used to remind employees and workers to use protective gear like gloves and helmets.

In addition, some signs are used to identify areas meant for industrial vehicles.

On the other hand, the presence of these requirements has a definable effect on employers and business owners. For one, the provision and use of standardized signs could mean expense if not penalties. Non- compliance to said regulations could put your workers and business at risk, making you solely responsible during emergencies. Regulations also entail the introduction of new standards and requirements. For example, aside from possible handling of goods and equipment, your business may find it necessary to mark pipe works containing dangerous substances. The procedure has become a part of the newer regulations set by law, which includes the use of symbols and pictograms. The triangular-shaped warning signs are meant to clearly determine the presence of these substances within work areas, most of which refer to corrosive, flammable, toxic and explosive materials.

The provision of signs allows employers to take bigger responsibilities on health and safety. Through this, organizations and businesses are becoming aware of the supposed dangers and risks. Many people have been downplaying the idea of preventing accidents and other forms of emergencies. However, by means of regulations, people are now thinking twice and are considering the use of signs as useful reminders. Authorities and regulatory bodies have been thinking of ways, on how to implement precautionary measures at work. The regulations somehow define the must-haves and lists of appropriate signs and safety equipment. The implementation of requirements may be difficult to begin with, but with proper knowledge and awareness, businesses will slowly see its usefulness and benefits.