It is estimated that 70% of the world’s population are visual learners. We like to see things to understand, and this is why health and safety signs are the best to educate in a memorable way. It is obvious that you don’t want to be one of the 30% that don’t learn by seeing. So, we picked up the five most essential health and safety signs to help you learn and remember in a visual way. Anyone who has worked in a factory or a warehouse, even on a construction site, will note that there are signs everywhere warning them about what they need to do, whether that is operating a hydraulic lift or driving a tractor, there are certain signs and notices that need to be looked out for to ensure safety.
Have you ever wondered what the 5 most essential health and safety signs are? There can be various safety signs that could be used in various locations, including residential areas, workplaces, hospitals, and more. For instance, in a workplace, health and safety are one of the most essential concerns that an employer has to regard and train employees for. Company managers might even perform employee skills assessment related to office hazards, safety situations, rescue, etc. So, in any case, if a workplace has danger signs, no entry, or restricted access signs, employees can operate more effectively. Read forward to know more about basic safety signs.
The universal sign for “NO”
We have all been there. You are at the airport, completely lost, and need directions to your gate. You are at the grocery store, trying to figure out if that cake is gluten-free or not. You are on a first date, and you need to let your date know that you are not interested. What do you do? If you are like most people, you use the universal sign for “NO” – the palm strike to the forehead!
The universal sign for “NO” is well known around the world, and people have been using it for centuries to express their disagreement with something. But how did we come to use this gesture? And why is it so rude? The first known usage of the “NO” gesture was by Nazi Germany’s soldiers in World War II, who gestured to the French Resistance with their flat palms. The sign of disapproval soon caught on elsewhere, and it is now a common way to tell others that you don’t like what they are doing.
The universal sign for “FREE”
There is a universal sign for “Free”; in fact, there are many of them! They are all used to indicate that something is free, or at least it should be, but how can we make sure? There are many different ways that we can use to do this, and they range from traditional methods to more modern ways, such as the use of a “FREE” word, to a sign that consists of a red rectangle with a slash through it.
As you can easily deduce from the title of this post, the universal sign for “free” is an asterisk, and it gets used all the time. In fact, you might notice that it’s becoming more and more prevalent on the Internet and in print. But why? Well, the reason is that it’s been around for a very long time. In fact, it’s been around for quite some time in the United States, but it was officially recognized as an official sign for “free” only in 2009.
The universal sign for “TIME OUT”
Have you ever seen the universal sign for “time out”? It’s basically a circle with an X through it, and it means that playtime is over. If you’re a parent, you may have used this sign numerous times, especially when your child is getting hyper or misbehaving. But where did this universal sign come from? Surprisingly, it’s not just for parents; it can also be used in the workplace to get your point across. The sign means “stop,” or “stop in the name of,” or “time out” in the dictionary.
The universal sign for “TIME OUT” that we use in soccer is a hand with all five fingers spread. By making a hand with all five fingers spread, the message that you wish to convey is that “time is over, and it is time to stop.” The other hand can be used to stop a child from moving on the playground or anytime you need to get the child’s attention to stop him or her from continuing to play.
The universal sign for “DANGER”
The universal sign for “DANGER” is a red circle with a diagonal line going through it. It’s the same sign that is used in many countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the U.S., the International Symbol of Access is often included in prohibitions against smoking in public buildings. Another variation that is used as a general warning sign is a black circle with a diagonal line going through it.
The universal sign for “DANGER” is the triangular sign with a black silhouette of a ‘human being’ in the middle of the triangle. To avoid confusion, it is recommended to use this sign to warn people of potential danger. This sign is one of the most widely used international health and safety signs. You may find danger signage in places like a warehouse, garages, factories, manufacturing units, construction sites, and more. In some workplaces, they may also put a temporary sign for Dangerous floors or when the floors are wet to avoid slip and fall accidents.
Unfortunately, the sign has to be explained to many of the people who are exposed to it. There are two possible reasons for this. Firstly people don’t go too much effort into learning the signs. Secondly, the sign itself is not universally understood. The second reason could be of higher importance. Although there might be several resources (similar to https://www.icwgroup.com/pc/safety/safety-resources/) all over the internet in regards to workplace safety, signs such as this prove immensely useful at times of need.
The universal sign for “HANDICAP”
The universal sign for “HANDICAP” is a composed of a blue background, with a white triangle pointing towards the left. The triangle is wide at the top and narrows towards the bottom. According to the World Health Organization, this sign should be used to denote “hazards” that could pose a danger to people with disabilities, such as stairs, inaccessible entrances, or moving machinery. The sign should always be accompanied by an explanation of what the hazard is or what kind of equipment is in use. Those who wish to inform the public about their presence may also use this sign as a way to communicate that they are using a wheelchair or other mobility device.