Safety is important in any workplace, and one of the best ways to ensure a safe environment is by maintaining well-designed and properly functioning signage.
Unfortunately, many companies don’t take signage seriously enough, leading to all sorts of risks and hazards. Here are just a few of the dangers that poor signage can pose in the workplace.
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Poorly maintained signs can be hard to read
One of the most basic dangers of poor signage is that it can be difficult to read (or just an eyesore in general). This can be due to several factors, including faded lettering, illegible font choice, or poor lighting. If signs are hard to read, they won’t be effective at conveying important information to employees, visitors, or customers. This can lead to confusion and potentially even accidents.
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Out-of-date signs can send the wrong message
Another danger of poor signage is that it can send the wrong message to employees and customers. For example, if you have a sign that says “Employees Must Wash Hands Before Returning to Work” but there hasn’t been soap in the dispensers for months, it sends a clear message that hand-washing isn’t really a priority at your company. Out-of-date signs can also give the impression that your company is disorganised or doesn’t care about its appearance. Either way, it’s not good for business.
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Incorrect signage can cause accidents
Perhaps the most serious danger of poor signage is that incorrect or out-of-place signs can actually cause accidents. For example, if you place an “Exit” sign next to a window instead of a door, people could become trapped in a room during an emergency. Obviously, scenarios like this are something you want to avoid at all costs.
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Inadequate signage can put your organisation in breach of compliancy standards
Lastly, poorly designed or maintained signage can create compliance issues. If OH&S or another regulatory body finds that a company’s signage doesn’t meet their standards, they can impose fines or even shut down the operation until the problems are fixed. This can be a costly process, both in terms of money and time lost while the business is closed.
Invest in efficient and reliable sign management today
As you can see, there are many dangers associated with poor signage in the workplace. From confusing employees and customers, to causing actual accidents; poorly maintained signage can pose a serious threat to safety in any business environment. That’s why it’s so important to be vigilant about keeping signs up-to-date and well-maintained – a little bit of time and effort spent on signage now could literally save lives down the road.
At SignManager, our passion is helping large corporations improve the way they manage their branded assets across all their locations. If you need help establishing an efficient and reliable system for maintaining your company signage across numerous sites, our expert signage consultants can help. From advice and consulting to maintenance, safety signage management, rebranding and more – consider us a convenient solution to your company-wide sign management needs. Contact us for more information.
