Is your idea of safety to place a sign out so that liability will be avoided or that the sign will actually warn people of impending danger? Think again!
Experts agree signs are a minimal step for safety management. Signs must convey a message and actually assist in avoiding the hazard itself. Signs are often missed, overlooked, or ignored, especially if there appears to be no reason for the sign in the first place. Your guests and employees can become oblivious to signs over time, especially if a sign is always posted.
Signs are meant to gain attention, that is why they are brightly colored and have pictorial objects. Signs should be placed to redirect people away from a hazard. Signs should never be alone, they should in most cases have a human with them. The human should be providing guidance, audible warnings, and/or resolving the hazard itself. The photograph provides three examples where someone has placed a sign (Putting the Property on Notice of a Hazard) but then walked away from the hazard violating an Industry Standard - Never Leave A Spill Unattended! In doing so, your employee(s) subject you to a fatal argument in a civil suit. That argument is - your employee put a sign up, and left a spill unattended. You had notice of a condition and you did not resolve it. Good luck if that is your strategy!
Feel free to comment if you agree or disagree. I encourage Human Factors people to chime in as well. Staying Safe Means Proper Safety Management
About the Author – John Peterson - Safety Expert is a Commercial Safety Expert who specializes in Service, restaurant and retail, and commercial property safety. John evaluates safety plans, prevention plans, and strategies for slip, trip, and fall prevention. John also evaluates incidents involving striking, collisions, colliding with, or materials handling events where someone was hit or struck by equipment. For more information, please visit our website at www.rlcsafety.com.
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