CM/Spotlight: Safety Promoting Safety, Security And Wellbeing With Signage Safety signage and labeling is heralded for its ability to convey information of potential hazards. Image courtesy of Graphic Products Inc. By: Steve Stephenson C Steve Stephenson is a man-aging partner at Graphic Products Inc. of Portland, Oregon. He can be con-tacted at SStephenson@ GraphicProducts.com or 1-800-788-5572. Getting up to speed on all the sign, label and printer options takes time and patience. For more about sign and label printers, supplies and how-to information about applying labels, preparing labeling surfaces and tiling to make large signs, visit www.DuraLabel.com. Custodial professionals, building services con-tractors and industrial cleaners who mop, clean windows, vacuum, scrub tanks and do pressure washing have a second job — serving as critical safety agents for building and plant managers. Janitorial staffs can assist the facility managers or safety staff by making note of any damaged, missing or unreadable signs or labels, which should always be noted to an immediate supervisor. Meanings Of Signs And Labels There are safety hazards throughout buildings and facilities, and cleaning staffs need to comprehend safety signs and labels. They should be familiar with lockout/tagout (LO/TO), a life-saving procedure in which repairs are made to machines when power sources are removed, locked out, tagged out and isolated. Because they may need to follow LO/TO proce-dures, janitorial staffs need to recognize — and, more importantly, obey — the signs, labels and tags they see. LO/TO, in particular, can be of special con-cern because such signs and tags are not used every day. So, janitorial staffs that work in industrial facili-ties should receive LO/TO training and know what they need to do — or not do — in response to LO/ TO signs and tags. Custodial professionals must also comprehend the right-to-know labels used in a facility, as these warn about hazardous and dangerous chemicals. A quick assessment of signage can be done by custodians while going about their daily tasks to ensure they are in good repair. for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Signage . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Safety . Janitorial staffs should use appropriate signs, barriers and warning systems as they are doing their work. These warn others about hazards such as slip-pery floors, fall hazards and areas that are closed. “My staffs use wet floor signs, falling ice signs, orange or red cones on or near hazards and cau-tion tape,” says John Csehill, owner of The Infinity Concern Inc. “Signs are most effective when placed in break areas or by the time clock, but they must be constantly changed to be noticed or they will simply become part of the unnoticed background like a light switch you never use.” Bridging the gap between standard janito-rial signs and facility safety signs such as LO/TO signs and tags will help foster a safer and more secure work environment. A Tailored Approach At times, there is a need for custom labels or 22 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • November 2011
CMM – Archives Nov 2011: 22
