What are Safety Signs?
In simple terms, safety signs are signs that include a range of messages with the intent of keeping people from physical harm. Other signs are preventive in nature, instructing people for or against taking certain actions. A third type of safety signs are those categorized as informational and simply alert people to certain information, such as the whereabouts of a fire extinguisher. These signs are found in a range of different locations: factories, offices, educational institutions, and just about in any place where large amounts of people congregate.
Plug and Switch Lockouts
Employees can find themselves at risk of a serious injury or death if the machine they operate starts up unexpectedly or releases stored but hazardous energy. It is the sole responsibility of employers to address safety issues that concern the safety of the employees, especially when handling with dangerous equipment.
Procedures and standards must be in place to disable machinery and prevent the release of perilous energy while maintenance and servicing a machine. These measures may include the use of a multi-step startup procedure, time delays, or audible warnings. In such relatively uncommon situations, lockout/tagout requirements do not apply. However, such alternative precautions must be carefully evaluated for their effectiveness in light of the configuration of the machinery, the reliability of the alternative measures, employee training, and other factors.
