There isn’t a company or job that doesn’t have its own set of hazards. These hazards make it very important for an employer to put up safety messages in his office or workplace.
Workplace hazards are many; some hazards are industry-specific while some are common to all industries and sectors. Before we look at the various messages mentioned below, it’s important you learn to tap the hazards first. Once that is done, you will know exactly which messages will prove beneficial for you, your company and your employees.
What are Safety Messages?
Messages that warn employees of a company about the potential hazards around them are called safety messages; these also include safety symbols that don’t necessarily contain text. Some of these messages such as, ‘Danger’ and ‘Access Denied’ are perhaps the most common. However, we now have more desk jobs than we ever did. Continuously sitting in a chair for long periods of time also leads to problems. In such cases, you can put up messages that advise your employees/colleagues about right posture, making sure at the same time that infrastructure provided to them enables them to sit and work ‘comfortably’. On the other hand, if a job requires lot of walking, say work related to the shop floor, put up messages that remind your employees to wear proper shoes, headgear and other such equipment. Industries pertaining to electricals, chemicals, falling objects (construction, public infrastructure, etc.) and fire are at a higher risk of potential hazards and in these cases, safety messages are a must.
● It’s unwise to work with watery eyes.
● Feel some pain? Listen to your brain.
● Don’t forget the 20-inch rule!
Thought working in a secure corporate firm would keep you away from industrial hazards? Think again! Desk jobs have their own problems. Working on a computer for more than 3 hours at a stretch? You have a problem there. Working on a desk with edges touching your wrists while you type? You have a problem there too. Can’t move your legs comfortably while working at the desk? You have a problem yet again.
When you type on the keyboard, make sure your wrists don’t continuously touch the wooden edges of the desk. This might lead to contact stress that affects blood vessels and nerves. It might also cause sore fingers and tingling. Put a safety message on each desk reminding your employees to sit in the correct posture, use wrist rests and also to keep the computer screen at a minimum distance of 20 inches.
Use the first sign if you are mopping a floor and want to inform your employees to avoid a certain area for sometime. Try to place the sign in such a way that it obstructs the path of your employees. Use the second sign if you have a door separating the wet area from the dry one. Hang the message on the door.
Safety Message for a Staircase
How many people actually build their offices? We usually rent or buy spaces already available. In these places, there is certain infrastructure you can’t change. Staircases are among these.
Wires are probably the most dangerous elements in an office space. And the worst part is they’re everywhere. If you have any loose wires in and around your desk or in areas where people walk continuously, put up notices that warn people of this hazard. Someone might trip over them and break a bone or two. Put up signs indicating to the wires so your employees can keep away from these devils. Remember, live wires are a bigger threat.
Someone might trip over them and break a bone or two. Put up signs indicating to the wires so your employees can keep away from these devils. Remember, live wires are a bigger threat.
Jobs that demand continuous loading and unloading of heavy goods have their own set of hazards that threaten an employee’s physical health. The posture of your body needs to be accurate when you pick something heavy and also when you put it down. Give guidelines to your employees in the form of safety messages. Print these and hand them to everyone. Also, for such detailed instructions, it is very important that a company holds safety meetings once a month.
Every company has its own hazards. If your premises include a manufacturing or production unit, the potential of these hazards increases. In such cases, it is very important to educate your employees about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE refers to protective clothing of various kinds. This might include helmets, goggles, etc. Hard helmet areas demand different types of helmets. Safety messages on the usage and availability of this equipment must be handed out to all employees during safety meetings. Also, it is always a good idea to put up few messages in your premises, reminding your employees of various hazards that surround them.
Machinery is something you must be very careful around. It has a mind of its own and knowing how to work with it needs training and experience. Basic safety messages regarding the functioning of machinery are very important. Certain types of machinery need to be kept out of reach of people. Only the workers authorized to work with these machines should have access to the machines.
First Aid
Your employees can get hurt anywhere in your premises at any time. It is thus very crucial for them to know where all the first aid kits are kept. Depending on the industry you work in, it might also be a good idea to teach your employees a bit about first aid. If it isn’t possible for the employee to reach for help, install ‘panic buttons’ at frequent distances in your company. These buttons ensure quick action.
A Few More Examples
A very important point we must note here, is the existence of a unique environment. Every company has different requirements for safety messages. It is impossible to use the same messages for every category. At such times, a company must come up with industry-specific safety messages that perfectly suit circumstances existing in their environment. Here are a few safety messages for work that you can check out.
- A casual attitude towards safety = CASUALTY.
- A wound neglected is a wound infected.
- Every accident – every time – if it’s predictable, it’s preventable.
- Feel the ache? Stretch or take a break.
- If you are in favor of safety glasses, say: ‘eye’.
- It’s better to lose one minute in life…than to lose life in a minute.
- Life did not begin by accident. Don’t end it as one.
- Living with your mistakes is harder than you think…wear your safety gear.
- Prepare & prevent instead of repair & repent.
- Safety is a state of mind – accidents are an absence of mind.
- The door to safety swings on the hinges of common sense.
- Your workplace is your kingdom. Make it a safe one.
If you want to make sure that your employees are safe, these messages can help you out. You can also contact a media company and get customized safety messages for work printed with your company’s logo. If planned and executed well, these messages will eventually become a part of your work environment.