In any public building, the management of the premises owes a legal duty of care to visitors. This means that visitors should not be exposed to any blatant safety hazards. Where unavoidable safety hazards are present, such as wet floors, visitors should be warned so that they can take steps to avoid the hazard in question.
This is where safety signs come in. These simple pieces of equipment can significantly help to prevent accidents. Outlined below are some of the key components of functional safety signs.
Color coding and placement
The color of signs is often vital in terms of their functionality. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has designated specific colors for different purposes. For example, wet floor signs are supposed to grab the attention of visitors, and should be bright yellow in color with a symbol that represents a person falling on a slippery surface. Red signs are supposed to alert visitors about prohibited areas. For instance, a “no entry sign” should consist of a bright red background with white writing that states “no entry”.
The placement of signs can be every bit as crucial as their color coding. For instance, fire exit signs should be placed in areas that direct visitors to fire exits in an emergency. Ideally, wet floor signs should surround a slippery surface so that there is a minimal risk of visitors walking over it.
What if safety signs are not utilized?
If you have slipped on a wet floor or injured yourself due to a hazard that you were not notified of, this could be deemed as negligence on behalf of a venue. In such instances, filing a premises liability claim could be an option. Consider seeking legal guidance to obtain more information.