Safety first with stickers, decals and signs
Wherever equipment is operated, safety is always of the utmost importance. Therefore, it is crucial to fit machines such as mobile elevating work platforms, small earth-movers, telehandlers, forklifts, etc. with the correct stickers and decals. Another key measure is to provide clear and universal safety signs in warehouses, construction sites and other work environments.
Stickers and decals for equipment
Stickers and decals can be found all over material handling, construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment. From forklifts and mobile elevating work platforms to telehandlers and small earth-movers, those markings keep operators and bystanders safe. Some stickers make sure that everyone knows what a specific button’s function is and how that button functions. Other stickers serve as indicators for liquids such as fuel, oil, cooling water, etc.
However, the most important stickers and decals are those that provide safety guidelines for machines. Think of, among other things, decals that picture the maximum loading capacity of a telehandler or forklift, stickers that show the ideal tyre pressure of a skid steer loader, and warning signs for overhead electric wiring when operating a mobile elevating work platform.
You can check out our ‘Labels & Decals’ brochure for an overview of stickers and decals for equipment.
When to replace stickers and decals for equipment?
It is inevitable that stickers and decals will fade over time and with frequent use of the machine. To keep equipment and its operator safe, stickers and decals should be inspected, maintained and replaced in due time.
- Inspection: scrapes, tears or scratches can make stickers and decals hard to read. However, they should be legible at all times and be in the correct place on a machine. That’s why it’s advisable to check the stickers and decals before a job, as well as on a regular basis while the machine is in use.
- Maintenance: another measure to make sure that stickers and decals are always legible is to regularly clean them. This can be done with a mixture of water and mild soap. Avoid using solvent-based cleaners, since those can damage the decal and make them unreadable.
- Replacement: not sure whether the sticker or decal on a machine should be replaced? The answer is probably yes. Whenever damage or stubborn dirt makes a sticker or decal illegible, it should be replaced to ensure maximum safety.
Signs and labels for the workplace
Next to equipment, the workplace should be kept safe as well. That is why TVH also offers safety signs and labels for application in warehouses, construction sites, and other work environments. By using these, safety will improve and possible accidents and injuries can be prevented.
Safety signs or labels rely on a combination of shapes and colours to distinguish between five types. Their meaning has been established by the EN ISO 7010 standards.
Prohibition signs
These types of signs indicate that certain items or behaviours are not allowed. Their primary colour is red and they are always circular. In addition, prohibition signs consist of a red diagonal on a white background with a black pictogram.
Mandatory signs
When encountering a mandatory sign, it means that it is obligatory to carry out a certain course of action. Think, for instance, of the requirement to wear safety shoes and other PPE in certain workplaces. Mandatory signs are circular and blue and contain a white pictogram.
Warning signs
Better safe than sorry! That’s why warning signs are used to indicate potential dangers and to urge people to be careful. Those signs are triangular in shape and are yellow with a black pictogram.
Safety and first aid signs
These types of signs are used to guide people in the direction of emergency exits and safety and health equipment. The primary colour of safety and first aid signs is green and they are either square or rectangular.
Fire safety signs
Identifying fire exits and fire equipment such as fire extinguishers is done with fire safety signs. They are red and square in shape. In addition, fire safety signs always contain a white pictogram, which is in the majority of cases accompanied by a standardised fire pictogram.
Make them visible
A sign that is way too small cannot be read and doesn’t increase safety. That’s why it is important to make sure safety signs are the right size. The following rules apply:
- If the sign is viewed from 5 m away, it should be 100 mm in diameter.
- If the sign is viewed from 10 m away, it should be 200 mm in diameter.
- If the sign is viewed from 15 m away, it should be 315 mm in diameter.
- If the sign is viewed from 20 m away, it should be 400 mm in diameter.
- If the sign is viewed from 30 m away, it should be 1 000 mm in diameter.
In need of stickers, decals and signs?
At TVH, we offer a wide range of ISO and ADR warning stickers and decals, that conform with all European regulations. Thanks to our large stock of over 13 000 unique items, we can offer fast delivery. We’ve got almost every sticker, decal and safety sign available.
Go to our online shop to start ordering and keep machines and workplaces safe.
About the authors
This blog post is brought to you by your construction equipment marketing team.