Relevant Products:
Signs and Graphics
Large Format Signs and Banners
Floor Graphics
Relevant Industries:
Corporate & Commercial
Architecture, Engineering and Construction
Energy
Warehouses and industrial facilities can be incredibly complex spaces filled with dangerous equipment and lots of activity. With busy loading docks, heavy forklift traffic, elevated shelving, hazardous materials, and many other potential threats, safety information must be communicated clearly.
When it is positioned correctly, the right safety signage can help employees and visitors identify hazards and navigate the facility safely. Not only can these signs help prevent injuries and keep people safe, but they can also keep the workplace compliant with safety regulations.
That’s why this practical guide will cover the essential information your workplace signage should communicate and how to design and position your safety signage as effectively as possible.
Types of Signs Needed for Warehouses and Industrial Facilities
Let’s take a look at the types of signs required for these workplaces, then we’ll examine some best practices.
Hazard Warning Signs
Hazard warning signs inform building occupants of all risks associated with a given area.
In busy warehouses, these clear visual warnings help employees, contractors, and other visitors avoid accidents. They could inform people of high-voltage electrical equipment, overhead objects, forklift routes, and even flammable and chemical materials.
These types of signs need to be placed in areas where they won’t be obstructed. They also work better when positioned at eye level and near the risk they are designed to warn viewers about.
Large-format signs that are visible from a distance work best. Some of these signs are even required by law, so they must be highly visible and displayed in the correct places.
PPE Requirement Signs
In most warehouses and industrial settings, personal protective equipment (PPE) isn’t just necessary for workplace safety; it’s required by law.
PPE signage helps inform workers and building visitors about the types of protective gear and clothing they should be wearing in specific areas.
From steel-toed work boots and high-vis vests to safety glasses and hearing protection, all occupants should be able to quickly check which equipment is required upon entering the building or a particular area.
Like hazard warning signs, signs that inform viewers of PPE requirements work best when placed at eye level. They should also be displayed at all building entrances, work zone boundaries, and any high-risk areas where new hazards could arise.
Wayfinding and Traffic Safety Signs
In larger warehouses and industrial facilities, all building occupants must know how to navigate the building. With forklifts, pallet jacks, and electric delivery vehicles all operating at high speeds and carrying heavy loads, clear signage directing traffic is essential.
This type of signage can display speed limits, traffic direction information, mark safe crossing points, and restrict visitors from entering certain areas.
Since vehicles can be travelling at high speeds, the signage needs to be large, and the font needs to be visible from a significant distance. Painted markings and floor graphics usually complement this type of signage, but it still needs to inform the public of their surroundings at a glance.
Exit and Evacuation Route Signage
If something does go wrong, like a fire or chemical spill, it’s crucial that all occupants can exit the building as quickly as possible.
This is where emergency exit signage comes into play. Clear signage displaying evacuation routes, exits, and assembly points isn’t just useful, it’s required by law in most Canadian businesses.
These signs should always be displayed in locations where they can be easily seen and well-lit. It’s also important that this type of signage clearly indicates the location of first-aid equipment and stations.
Operational Signs
Beyond safety issues, it’s also important to clearly display workplace policies and other operational information.
WHMIS signs, signs covering proper lifting techniques, and any signage outlining facility rules are all important. It’s also a good idea to make this signage visible when people first enter the building.
Creating Effective Safety Signage
Just printing and installing safety signs is not enough. If you want the signs to be effective and compliant with the relevant regulations, they should be properly positioned, clearly printed, and durable enough to withstand an industrial environment.
Make sure all signs are printed at high resolution so they can be seen from a distance. It’s also important to ensure you include all standardized safety and hazard symbols.
No matter what type of safety signs you are planning to print, you should work with an experienced, professional printer who understands how to create effective signage.
Choose Professional Safety Signage from Carbon Graphics Group
Warehouses and other industrial facilities require durable signs that display clear text and graphics.
For more than 45 years, Carbon Graphics Group has helped businesses design and print high-quality signage suitable for industrial, commercial, and construction environments.
Our expertise in digital colour printing and large-format signage allows us to create highly visible safety signs that last. Plus, we offer a wide range of printing services, so all your visual materials can be designed and printed by a single trusted partner. If you want the best results, contact Carbon Graphics Group today.