Visual safety only works if it’s seen, understood, and followed. That might sound obvious, but walk through almost any facility, and you’ll find faded labels, confusing signs, or outdated messages still hanging on walls. When visuals aren’t doing their job, they’re not just ineffective—they’re dangerous. If your safety signage is being ignored or misread, your people aren’t protected, and your workplace isn’t compliant. Here’s why visual safety…
CSS Editorial Staff | July 15, 2025 | Visual Safety
Sorting is the first step in transforming a cluttered, chaotic workspace into an efficient, safety-first environment. But too often, it’s treated like a one-time clean-up instead of what it truly is: the foundation of a sustainable, organized workplace. If you’re ready to put Lean thinking into motion, “Sort” is where it all starts—and visual organization is your most powerful tool. The Cost of Visual Clutter A…
CSS Editorial Staff | June 24, 2025 | 5S, Lean, Visual Safety | 5S In Action
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has introduced significant updates to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), transitioning from HCS 2012 to HCS 2024. These updates aim to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) Revision 7 and enhance the clarity and effectiveness of hazard communication. This article will explore the key changes in labels, safety data sheets, and…
CSS Editorial Staff | July 25, 2024 | Industry News, Visual Safety
The percentages of schools reopening across the country continue to rise as infection rates decline and vaccines are distributed. According to a school opening tracker from Burbio, approximately two-thirds of schools are currently operating at either a hybrid online/in-person learning schedule or entirely in-person classes. Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released updated guidance for schools gearing up to resume in-person learning. Schools will…
Jesse Allred | February 24, 2021 | Industry News, Safety Solutions, Visual Safety
Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, administrative controls—changing behaviors of people—are key to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in communities. From keeping our distance to covering our faces, it’s important to keep everyone on the same page about safe and healthy practices. Policies + Procedures With regulations and recommendations changing quickly, now is a good time to re-evaluate what tools you…
Jesse Allred | September 30, 2020 | Industry News, Safety Solutions, Visual Safety | Facility Marking, Floor Marking, Safety Signs, Social Distancing, Workplace Safety
AS 1345-1995 is the Australian pipe marking standard providing a consistent system for identifying the content of pipes and ducts in the workplace. By understanding and following applicable labeling standards, workers are able to quickly identify a pipe’s contents and take the proper safety measures. The standard was developed by Standards Australia—basically the Australian equivalent of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Like ANSI, Standards Australia is…
Jesse Allred | July 30, 2020 | Safety Solutions, Visual Safety | Labeling, Pipe Marking, Regulations & Compliance, Workplace Safety
As states are figuring out what the upcoming school year may look like, it’s clear that it will be months before schools can fully reopen without any restrictions. From temperature screenings to staggered recess times, schools will have a lot to consider whenever they are able to open their doors again. Many districts are looking at several, flexible options for fall that involve some combination of in-person…
Jesse Allred | July 20, 2020 | Floor Marking, Industry News, Safety Solutions, Visual Safety | Reopening Series
The ISO 3864 series is a set of four international standards that establish the design principles for safety signs and markings in workplaces and public facilities. It aims to ensure that hazard warnings are universally recognized, overcoming language barriers through standardized shapes, colors, and graphical symbols. Let’s look at the four core standards that make up the ISO 3864 series: 4 Standards of ISO 3864 Series ISO…
Jesse Allred | July 6, 2020 | Safety Solutions, Visual Safety
Safety signs are essential component of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for employees and anyone unfamiliar with your facility. The primary purpose of safety signs is to communicate important hazard information immediately, but they play a much more important role in supplementing safety training, highlighting safe exit routes, indicating safety equipment like first aid stations, and enforcing the company’s safety policies. One of the reasons safety…
Jesse Allred | July 1, 2020 | Safety Products, Safety Solutions, Visual Safety
Since May is National Electrical Safety Month, it’s the perfect time to address common electrical hazards in your workplace. One of the most important components of electrical safety is the control of hazardous energy, known as lockout/tagout (LOTO). This article defines LOTO, why it’s important to your facility, and how it can help prevent dangerous accidents. What is LOTO? Lockout tagout is the practice of controlling energy…
Jesse Allred | May 13, 2019 | Safety Solutions, Visual Safety | Electrical Safety, Equipment Labeling, Lockout Tagout, Regulations & Compliance, Safety, Workplace Safety
Visual communication fosters a strong safety culture in the workplace. Visual communication reinforces training, displays best practices, suggests safe operating guidelines, and keeps workers aware of hazards. Visual cues like signs and floor tape help to quickly communicate important information in a matter of seconds. Implementing a visual communication strategy is relatively inexpensive, but the results can be significant. The following are a few key applications for…
Jesse Allred | March 29, 2019 | Safety Solutions, Visual Safety
Improve Safety and Efficiency with Visual Communication When looking for ways to improve the organization, safety and efficiency of a facility, few things can be as effective as visual communication. Visual communication strategies are almost always very inexpensive (or even free) and can provide immediate improvements that are measurable and long lasting. The following are some of the many types of benefits you can enjoy from implementing or…
Tony Ferraro | February 23, 2016 | Visual Safety | Emergency Evacuation, Facility Efficiency, Facility Marking, Floor Marking, Hazcom, Safety, Safety Signs
Safety with Santa Visual safety efforts have been a major part of many workplaces for a very long time. Even before the term ‘visual safety’ was used, companies would do things like put up signs or even simpler things within the workplace. What most people don’t realize, however, is that the concept of visual safety in the workplace actually began in an extremely surprising place. Santa’s Workshop.…
Tony Ferraro | December 17, 2015 | Visual Safety | Christmas Safety, Facility Marking, Labeling, Safety, Safety Signs
Visual Tools for a Visual Factory The concept of a visual workplace is quite simple, but actually putting it into practice can be surprisingly difficult and complex in some cases. Using visual tools and strategies can help your facility operate more efficiently and also more safely, so it is definitely worth the effort. Fortunately, there are many different tips and tricks that can help you to implement…
Tony Ferraro | December 9, 2015 | Visual Safety | Facility Marking, Floor Marking, Safety, Safety Signs, Workplace Safety
