Even if workers have been explained rules about safety in job training, work spaces and machines should still have safety signs. In some cases, if a machine or work area can pose a hazard, the area or machine legally has to be labeled with “Danger” or “Caution.”

OSHA and ANSI safety signs have the same types of labels but with different formats and graphics. “Danger” indicated an immediate hazard with a high probability of serious injury or death, while “Caution” indicates a potentially hazardous situation that could lead or minor or moderate injury. Other ANSI and OSHA notices include “Notice” for general information; and “Safety First,” “Think,” and “Emergency” for housekeeping, first aid, health, medical equipment, sanitation, and general safety.

Machine labels have a general direction or indication, such as safety signs for “Flammable” near gases, “Wear Your Safety Goggles” for high-temperature work areas with debris or chemical splashes, or “Handicapped.” Safety signs can either be pressure sensitive vinyl or stenciled. We carry stencils for all letters and numbers and also for specific safety signs. When a pressure sensitive vinyl sign won’t stick on a pipe, pipe marker signs can come pre-coiled or strap-on to label a pipe with ANSI hazard-indicating colors. Aside from signs for work conditions, we carry plastic and aluminum security signs and “Restricted Area” signs.

Fire signs should be used to indicate a fire exit, be instructional for a fire-related emergency, or indicate whether a certain activity will result in a fire. We carry fire signs to indicate fire alarms, exits, and extinguishers and to give step-by-step instructions for what to do in case of a fire in a work space. Signs like “No Smoking” and “Flammable” also fall under the fire sign category, as smoking or having fire near volatile gases could result in a fire.

Safety signs can be specific to dangers and warnings inside or outside. For hazards inside a building, we carry signs for operational and facility hazards, glow signs, and lockout-tag out materials. Operational hazard signs are specific for warnings about operating equipment, such as “high voltage,” “radiation,” laser beams, and fingers getting caught in machinery. Facility signs can be used to indicate an emergency inside a building, but are also used for admittance, to have Braille directions, for housekeeping, to remind workers of ADA compliance, and for maintenance like a wet floor. Glow signs are regular safety signs, except they glow in the dark, which is necessary in a low-lit area or during a power outage. Lockout-tag out materials, such as locks and padlocks plus warning labels, are needed to keep equipment shut off, or to have a valve or fuse locked, during maintenance procedures.

Highway and parking signs are for outdoor emergencies. We carry DOT and hazmat placards and highway and traffic safety signs. Both highway and traffic safety signs are usually orange and have strips of reflective tape. However, for highway warnings, we carry “paddle” signs, signs to attach to a traffic cone, and a flashing light. Traffic safety materials include orange and reflective traffic cones, barrels, and barricades. Utility tape can be used in conjunction with highway and parking signs. We sell utility tape for barricades, anti-slip surfaces, and underground cautions, such as a buried sewer or electrical line.

We also carry hazmat signs to label dangerous or hazardous materials appropriately. A diamond-shaped sign is needed to indicate if a container is a biohazard or is filled with hazardous materials like asbestos, lead, or mold.

In addition, we have multilingual versions of most signs. All of our signs indicating a direction or hazard are in Spanish or have both English and Spanish directions.