Category: Articles

The rising popularity of photoluminescent signs

Posted on by Sure Signs

Photoluminescent signs have become increasingly popular in recent years as an effective and cost-efficient solution for illuminating emergency exit pathways in buildings. These signs use photoluminescent materials to absorb and store ambient light during the day and then release that energy as visible light in the dark, making them highly visible even in low-light conditions.

Sure Signs is a leading provider of photoluminescent signs, offering several options to meet the needs of any building or facility. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of photoluminescent signs, the types of photoluminescent signs available, and why Sure Signs is the best choice for your photoluminescent sign needs.

Benefits of photoluminescent signs

These signs offer several benefits over traditional illuminated signs. One of the most significant advantages is that they require no electricity or batteries, making them a highly cost-effective solution. Photoluminescent signs also have a much longer lifespan than traditional illuminated signs, as they do not require any maintenance or replacement of bulbs or batteries.

Another benefit is their environmental friendliness. They do not contain any hazardous materials like lead or mercury, making them safe for both people and the environment. Additionally, they are manufactured using sustainable materials, making them a responsible choice for any building or facility.

Types of photoluminescent signs

Sure Signs offers various photoluminescent signs to meet the needs of any building or facility. Photoluminescent signs are often used for one of the key safety signs – green squares. These signs indicate safe conditions and provide information. These are some of the most popular types of signs.

Exit signs: These signs are designed to guide people to the nearest emergency exit in the event of an emergency. They are available in different sizes and styles to fit any building or facility.

Stairwell signs: These signs are designed to help people navigate stairwells in the event of a power outage or emergency. They can be installed on walls or the floor and are available in several sizes and styles.

Directional signs: These signs are designed to provide direction and guidance to people in the event of an emergency. They can be customised with specific text or graphics to fit the needs of any building or facility.

Safety signs: These signs are designed to provide information about potential hazards in a building or facility. They can be customised to meet the specific needs of any building or facility.

Why choose Sure Signs?

Sure Signs is the best choice for your sign needs for several reasons. First, we offer a wide range of sign options. Our signs are available in different sizes and styles and can be customised to your specific needs.

Second, our signs are made from high-quality, sustainable materials that are safe for people and the environment. We are committed to sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices, and our photoluminescent signs reflect that commitment.

Third, we offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. We understand that time is of the essence when it comes to emergency exit signage, and we work hard to ensure that our customers receive their signs in a timely manner.

Finally, we have a team of experienced professionals dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. We are here to answer any questions you may have and to help you find the best solution for your sign needs.

Contact Sure Signs for details

Sure Signs is a leading sign-printing company that provides high-quality solutions to businesses across various industries. Our attention to detail, versatility, quick turnaround time, and custom sign printing solutions make us popular among companies. We can custom-make signs to suit your specific requirements. All photoluminescent signs are available in 150 mm, 190 mm, 290 mm, or 440 mm.

In addition, our signs are face printed on photoluminescent vinyl and are available in natural anodised aluminium frames. They can also be powder coated or anodised in any colour you choose. Contact us for more information. Alternatively, please continue to browse our site to find the signage solution for your needs.

 

Why workplace health and safety signs matter

Posted on by Sure Signs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) encourages employers to have various health and safety signs in the workplace to alert employees when approaching a hazardous or dangerous work environment and instil an overall accident-preventative environment.

There are three classifications of mandatory signs in the workplace:

  • Danger signs
  • Caution signs
  • General safety information signs

Why are health and safety signs necessary?

Employee safety is not an option. Therefore, equipping workplaces with regulatory health and safety signs is not only a best practice thing to do – it is the only thing to do.

Avoid violating safety regulations

Regardless of industry, those found to be in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act may face regulatory and legal consequences. For example, OSHA inspectors will first serve notices on employers who are found officially in breach of mandatory signage and environmental control regulations. In addition, organisations that are repeatedly and wilfully in violation of OSHA and other regulatory agents’ mandates may have their operating licences revoked, and their businesses closed. Furthermore, a company may eventually face criminal prosecution when employers are found to have wilfully ignored safety standards, including warning signs, and that negligence resulted in a worker’s death or disability.

Sufficiently labelled workplaces

OSHA violations are based on a failure to comply with a general duty clause, which states that workplaces must have clear health and safety signs identifying hazards likely to cause severe injury or death. Failure to properly label such hazardous or high-risk areas is the leading cause of safety inspection breaches that result in official notices and fines.

Prevent accidents

Injury and on-site accidents are reduced by using health and safety signs. Studies have shown that inadequate hazard communication standards are the second most-cited workplace violation and the third most common cause of workplace injuries and deaths. With sufficient signage, employees are more aware of workplace hazards and can respond quickly and appropriately when incidents occur, resulting in fewer on-site injuries like slips, falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, etc.

Show integrity

The safety of your employees is critical. Safety signs, symbols, and their interpretations exist solely to protect employees and support the safe, secure jobs they deserve. Your business communicates the value of the people who make it tick by staying up to date and in full compliance with health and safety signs standards.

Types of health and safety signs

All health and safety signs are classified based on the messages they display. These are different types of mandatory safety signs, along with their common symbols, formats, and design elements.

Prohibition signs

Prohibitory signs convey an action, item, or behaviour that is not permitted in the vicinity of the sign. These signs are easily identified as a red slashed circle with central pictograms. The diagonal crossbar descending at a 45-degree angle from the top-left to the bottom-right of the circle crosses a pictogram of the prohibited activity or object. Prohibition signs have a white panel background with black or red pictograms and command text.

Prohibition health and safety signs commonly include:

  • Do not open
  • No food or drink
  • No naked flames
  • No photography
  • No smoking

Danger signs

Common symbols for danger signs include exclamation marks and “danger” command text. These health and safety signs are placed in areas where there are immediate hazards and risks. Anyone in the area is at risk of severe injury or death if these hazards are not avoided. Danger signs are the most extreme of the general sign types and should be displayed only where such precautions are absolutely necessary. They have their own relevant surround shapes and, most notably, the command word “Danger” printed on the top half of the sign or tag within a red rectangle or oval. This red shape contrasts with a black rectangle on the sign’s larger white background panel, resulting in a high-contrast, high-visibility design.

Some examples of workplace danger signs include:

  • Dangerous chemicals
  • Electric shock risk
  • High voltage
  • Radiation risk

Warning signs

Common symbols for warning signs include exclamation marks, an inverted triangle border, and 45 degree-rotated square border. Warning health and safety signs indicate workplace hazard levels that necessitate extra caution and may result in severe injury or death but do not pose an immediate threat at the level of a danger zone. Warning signs’ surround shape is an equilateral rotated square with lines sloping at 45-degree diagonals rather than straight, 90-degree sides on a horizontal base. It also features a black exclamation mark inside a triangle pictogram, printed to the right of “Warning”. Yellow warning signs are also available, with additional black-lined pictograms indicating the behaviour, object, or activity that requires precautions.

Caution signs

These health and safety signs are distinguished by exclamation marks (safety alert symbol) and an inverted triangle border.

Caution signs are the mildest of its danger-level indicators. It is an accident prevention tag, indicating situations that could result in minor to moderate injuries if proper attention is not maintained. There are two main warning signs. First, on the top half of a sign or tag, the command word “Caution” should be in all-caps, all-black text. Second, caution signage is usually printed on a yellow panel background in an inverted triangle or inverted triangle surround shape with a black exclamation mark next to the command word “Caution.”

There are numerous examples of caution health and safety signs in the workplace, including:

  • Forklift trucks operating
  • Low headroom
  • Trip hazard
  • Wet floor

Fire signs

Common symbols for fire signs show a fire extinguisher or fire pictogram

There are two kinds of fire signage:

Fire warning signs are a specific type of prohibition health and safety signs indicating that open flames, including smoking and vaping, are not permitted.

Firefighting equipment for emergencies signs indicate the location of firefighting equipment like extinguishers, fire blankets, smoke masks, and hoses.

Unlike many other types of health and safety signs, fire signage does not require a headline like “Caution” or “Warning.” Instead, the text and imagery on the fire signs are printed in white on a red panel background. These signs are commonly found near fire alarms, but they don’t have to be.

General safety and emergency information signs

These health and safety signs have green command text or green panel background. They serve to remind employees of workplace safety rules and best practices and direct them to emergency equipment if necessary.

Text and pictograms printed in green on a plain white background or white on a green background are the two options for general health and safety signs. General safety or emergency information signs should never include the safety alert symbol.

This type of safety sign has a wide range of applications and is multifunctional and should be installed where these items are:

  • Emergency phones
  • First-aid supplies
  • Handwashing, eye-washing, and other sanitation stations
  • Safety clothing required
  • Safety shutdown procedure manuals

Wayfinding signage

Common symbols for wayfinding signage include arrows, room numbers, and braille. This signage is a crucial functional inclusion in all buildings, offices, and commercial spaces. At its most basic, these health and safety signs are required to designate regular and emergency exit routes. They are critical in assisting employees, customers, and visitors to the workplace in identifying the safest routes from one point to another in the event of an emergency. Wayfinding signage is also used in manufacturing, warehousing, and other industrial settings to indicate proper equipment traffic routes, like forklift lanes.

Notice signs

These health and safety signs feature blue panel backgrounds or command text. They are intended to draw attention to important information about the behaviours, expectations, and activities in a specific area. Notice signs have a similar purpose to general safety and emergency information signs but have a header word. For example, the headline “Notice” will be printed in white against a blue rectangle backdrop in the top half of all notice signs. This header is both the command word and the primary visual symbol that distinguishes notice signs from the rest.

Use notice signs near:

  • Bins for waste and recycling
  • Food storage areas
  • Handwashing stations
  • Room or facility housekeeping rules

Construction signs

Common symbols for construction signs are centred worker pictographs on an orange background. Construction signage is classified as a separate category of safety and accident-prevention signs. A construction site accounts for 20% of workplace injuries. In addition, construction is the most accident-prone sector. Only four accident types account for more than half of all construction incidents resulting in injuries and fatalities:

  • Caught in between
  • Electrocution
  • Falls
  • Struck-by-object

Construction safety signage directly addresses the construction industry’s “fatal four.” Health and safety signs should be visibly placed within and around construction work zones to reduce on-site accidents, notifying workers of relevant hazards and reminding them of proper safety procedures. Construction safety signage examples include:

  • Danger: High voltage
  • Danger: Open hole
  • Falling rocks/debris
  • Hard hat area

Safety colour codes

We’ve explained how health and safety signs are governed by design, placement, and pictogram. They’re also colour-coordinated, with sign categories assigning mandatory background and text colours to be considered compliant. Colour-coded safety signs make it simple for viewers to recognise and register the message on display.

Red signs: danger, fire safety

Red signage is designated to convey immediate danger and signs depicting fire or fire-related information. Red signs should be used wherever there is an imminent danger, including life-threatening work environments with the potential for severe injury or death.

Magenta on yellow: radiation

A high-visibility accident prevention tag with magenta text on a yellow background is used in the vicinity of radiation or radioactive substances. X-ray machinery, proton or neuron-related equipment or areas, or gamma and beta rays are examples of radiation sign deployments.

Yellow signs: warning or caution

Non-life-threatening warning and caution signs are printed on yellow backgrounds, with text against the yellow using solid, all-caps black lettering. Yellow health and safety signs indicate that an appropriate level of caution must be used in an area with moderate risks of accidents and injury.

Green signs: emergency information

Green text on white backgrounds and white text on green backgrounds convey information pertinent to emergency responses. Green safety signs specifically denote health and medical areas, including eyewash stations, first aid equipment, and sanitary supplies.

Orange signs: construction

Orange signs are commonly used in construction site warning areas. Construction and hard-hat area signage conveys the potential dangers of these work sites with medium-grade hazard levels and serves as a reminder to those passing by to be cautious.

White signs: general information

White health and safety signs are designated for general health, safety, and directional information, like restrooms, room labels, phone booths, parking, and wayfinding signage, among other things.

Why choose Sure Signs

Health and safety signs are essential safety communication tools to identify various hazards that may exist in a workplace. However, they don’t only alert workers to the presence of dangers but also help to raise worker safety awareness. To get the most out of health and safety signs and symbols, select the appropriate ones for each work location on your property.

Sure Signs specialises in the manufacture, design and supply of photoluminescent signage. We can custom-make signs to suit your specific requirements. All signs are available in 150 mm, 190 mm, 290 mm, or 440 mm.

Our signage solution is available in natural anodised aluminium frames. They can also be powder coated or anodised in any colour you choose. These signs can be face printed on photoluminescent vinyl, or they can be reversed screen printed an acrylic Perspex.

Contact Sure Signs for details

Sure Signs offers a comprehensive range of health and safety sign solutions and products to a diverse client base throughout South Africa. We have signs for all applications, whether it’s to relay information, issue safety warnings, or make your brand more visible to your customers. Our range of signage products is the ideal solution for all types of South African businesses. Thanks to years of experience and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction, we are a preferred health and safety sign provider. Contact us for more information about health and safety signs. In addition, we occasionally offer specials on our products, including aluminium, photoluminescent, information, mandatory warning, and COVID-19 signage. These specials are subject to our terms and may change at any time, so be sure to check our site often. Alternatively, please continue to browse our site to find the signage solution you need.

The Threat of Fire

Posted on by Sure Signs

Fire is a threat to life and limb that can get out of control very quickly. To be able to control a fire, access to fire extinguishers is vital. With this, adequate signage to indicate the presence and proper use of fire extinguishers are also paramount. Fire extinguishers need to be easily identifiable in adverse situations, when time is of the essence, to minimise the damage that fire can cause.

 

The Importance of Fire Extinguisher Signs

 

Fire extinguisher signs are a visual communication tool that assists in providing immediate identification of the extinguisher. The signs will provide the most crucial information for the operation of the extinguisher and just enough information to be able to quickly and efficiently manage a fire. The more clear and visible the fire extinguisher sign, the greater the chances are that the fire will be dealt with appropriately and that the people and property in the vicinity will be kept safe.

 

Fire extinguisher signs are particularly important for people who are not familiar with the area and who are unfamiliar with the location of the extinguisher, to better be able to find them, and to do so quickly.

 

Fire extinguisher signs are also important to guide emergency personnel to the places where they can be found in order to assist.

 

Fire extinguisher signage should be readily visible and clear, showing people exactly where they can be found in an emergency. They should not be obstructed in any way from being visible by stacked pallets, chairs, or equipment.

 

Easily being able to quickly locate fire extinguishers has the added advantage that property damage will be limited, or eliminated, avoiding all the secondary consequences that fire causes, such as legal damages claims.

 

Being able to access the fire extinguishers quickly also assists in being able to contain the fire until emergency personnel arrives, if you are not able to extinguish it completely on your own. The majority of fires can be handled within minutes of the fire starting, and as such, it is important that to do so, being able to locate the equipment is vital.

 

Fire extinguisher signs should be positioned on or near where the fire extinguisher can be found, making finding them easy when it counts.

 

Signs placed on the extinguishers themselves are also important as different fire extinguishers need to be used for different kinds of fires. Not all fire extinguishers can be used on the same fires. A water fire extinguisher should not be used on an electrical fire and the specific kind of extinguisher will need to be readily identifiable from the fire extinguisher signage that is used.

 

Safety Signs

Posted on by Sure Signs

It is understandable by most that site safety signs form an integral part of any business, but not everyone is actually aware of the reasons for them and how they benefit everyone. The effectiveness of safety protocols in the workplace is dependent on the ability to communicate them clearly to everyone. Without knowledge of what safety measures to abide by, the workers, and everyone concerned, is at risk.

 

The Importance of Site Safety Signs 

 

There are several reasons why site safety signs are important.

 

For a site safety sign to be effective, it needs to be targeted towards the particular safety aspect. It needs to be visually catching enough to be able to see it properly and be presented in such a way that seeing it is immediate and unmissable.

 

The image displayed on the sign should also be clear and to the point, with perhaps a short written instruction in some cases. Site safety signs will also be colour coordinated so there is no possibility of misunderstanding or error.

 

From the sign, it should be clear whether the worker is entering a high-risk area or whether they need to take any special precautions in that particular area.

 

Site safety signs will supplement the safety protocols of the business and serve as clear reminders of important aspects of safety that need to be adhered to.

 

The importance of clear communication of safety protocols is particularly important where the workforce may be diverse and not speak the native language, or in environments where it is too loud to hear any verbal safety instruction.

 

Site safety signs not only can serve as a warning for workers to take care, but can also be used as an opportunity to direct how the employee should behave in a high-risk environment.

 

Site safety signs can be used for all manner of hazards and instructions, including fundamental rules and policies, alerts for where the first aid box is kept as well as fire extinguishers and other important equipment.

 

Depending on the nature of the business, hazards can pose the same risk to members of the public as they could to a workforce. These instances could typically occur at a construction site, where members of the public may pass through the area. The difference in this regard is that the members of the public will not have had the same safety training as the construction workforce, and they may not know what to do. It is for this reason as well that site safety signs be clear, visible, and understandable.

 

Site safety signs used in this way can alert the public of the presence of hazards in the environment, helping them to be more cautious when in a particular area. Examples of signs that are typically used to alert the public of safety hazards include signs for dangerous machinery, loud noises, slippery surfaces, falling objects, or signs informing the public to avoid a certain area.

 

Some businesses also create their own site safety signs that are specific to their particular industry and business. Those who are responsible for safety protocols may not always be available and this is where proper site safety signs will assist in reminding workers, and give them guidance on what the right safety measures are.

 

Site safety signs play a pivotal role in a strong health and safety culture at a business, and have been proven to be beneficial in protecting people from hazards.

 

Inadequate site safety signage could lead to workforce absence and have the effect of lowering productivity and morale in the work environment. The opposite is also true in that workplaces that do make use of site safety signs tend to have higher levels of productivity among employees and a better sense of trust and morale among the workforce, with less absenteeism.

 

To make sure that your work environment is equipped with all the necessary site safety signs, contact Sure Signs today to speak to one of their friendly consultants.

 

Why you need fire extinguisher signs

Posted on by Sure Signs

Various regulations require that a fire extinguisher be accompanied by fire extinguisher signs when it is placed. In addition, it is critical to provide adequate training or instruction with equipment to explain how to use it. This includes fire extinguishers, blankets, and hoses.

Few people have received hands-on training in the use of a fire extinguisher. As a result, written instructions in the form of signs are an easy way to accomplish this.

The safeguard is in place to ensure that anyone who picks up an extinguisher can use it safely and without causing harm.

To avoid confusion, the fire extinguisher signs identify the type of fire extinguisher next to it. They can also provide specific instructions on which fires you can and cannot extinguish with it. Using the incorrect fire extinguisher can be ineffective and have serious consequences. For example, it may hasten the spread of the fire and result in serious injury.

As a result, these fire extinguisher signs may end up saving lives. You don’t have to be a firefighter to understand them since the pictogram on the signs makes them easily understood by everyone. This means that even if they can’t read English, everyone knows how to use the equipment. Furthermore, the signs aid in identifying when an extinguisher is missing, allowing you to fix the problem as soon as possible.

Which sign should you choose?

There are many different types of fire extinguisher signs made from various materials and in several sizes.

  • Choose the fire extinguisher signs that correspond to your extinguishers, as giving the wrong advice could be fatal.
  • Ensure your fire signs are made of long-lasting material. For example, a strong plastic sign will outlast a stick-on sign and look more professional.
  • Choosing a photoluminescent sign ensures it is always visible, even if the lights go out.

After installing the extinguisher and fire extinguisher signs, ensure nothing obstructs it.

Contact Sure Signs for details

The absence of fire extinguisher signs may result in fines and administrative hassles. It is your responsibility to ensure that the appropriate signs are placed where they are needed.

Sure Signs specialises in manufacturing, designing and supplying fire signs. We can custom-make signs to suit your specific requirements. All signs are available in 150 mm, 190 mm, 290 mm, or 440 mm.

The common signage types we offer include:

  • Aluminium signage
  • Photoluminescent signage
  • Firefighting signage
  • General signage
  • Mandatory signage
  • Prohibitory signage

Our fire extinguisher signs solution is available in natural anodised aluminium frames. They can also be powder coated or anodised in any colour you choose. These signs can be face printed on photoluminescent vinyl, or they can be reversed screen printed on acrylic Perspex. Contact us for more information.

 

Custom sign options

Posted on by Sure Signs

Custom signs options

Custom signs are convenient and affordable options to share information about, add value and bring awareness to your business brand and logo.

Sure Signs is a leading sign company and can design and manufacture custom aluminium and photoluminescent signs. Aluminium signs are ideal for advertising your products and services and generating sales. Custom photoluminescent signs are designed to store ambient light and emit a green glow in low visibility scenarios.

Sure Signs specialises in the manufacture, design and supply of custom signs. We can create signs to suit your specific requirements. All signs are available in 150 mm, 190 mm, 290 mm, or 440 mm.

In addition, our custom signs are available in natural anodised aluminium frames or frames that are powder coated or anodised in any colour you choose. Your signs can also be face printed on photoluminescent vinyl or reversed screen printed on acrylic Perspex.

If you are looking for standard signage, Sure Signs also supplies firefighting signage, general signage, mandatory signage, prohibitory signage, etc.

Contact us for more information.

Understanding warning signs

Posted on by Sure Signs

Warning signs must meet specific requirements regarding reflectivity, design, size, and height at which they will be mounted. This is done to ensure that the message is consistent and uniform, regardless of where they are. These warning signs are vital and must be used in several locations, including highways and construction sites. However, these are just a few examples of common areas for various warning signs. Other places where warning signs can be found include hospitals, schools, businesses, industries, and airports. When used on roads, they are also known as traffic signs and alert drivers to a potentially dangerous hazard ahead.

Transcending language

In many countries, these signs take the form of an equilateral triangle with uniform white background and a thick red border. The specifications of the warning signs differ from country to country and from person to person. Some signs are placed on hazardous materials, which are also nearly identical across different regions, albeit with minor variations. For example, in some countries, signs only have images, while others have words and still, others have a combination of the two.

What is a warning sign?

A warning sign is a type of sign that indicates the presence of a potential hazard, danger, obstacle, or condition that requires immediate attention. Some of these signs indicate road hazards that a driver may not be aware of.

They are used to warn highway, street, or road users of unexpected or dangerous conditions ahead, such as a curve, detour, sideroad, or other action in the interest of safety and efficient traffic operations, such as a curve, detour, or sideroad.

There are five common types of safety signs, each colour noting a specific instruction:

  • Red circle – Prohibition – means stop, don’t do
  • Blue circle – Mandatory – means obey
  • Yellow triangle – Warning – means a risk of danger
  • Green squares – Safe condition – means go, gives information
  • Red squares – Fire safety – info in emergencies

How to spot a warning sign

While the designs of warning signs vary, they typically take the form of an equilateral triangle with a white background and a thick red border. However, sometimes they have a yellow or orange background with black symbols or letters on a diamond-shaped or rectangular sign.

Yellow pennant-shaped signs warn motorists when passing is dangerous.

Round yellow warning signs alert drivers to the presence of a railroad crossing ahead.

The importance of warning signs

Warning signs’ primary goal is to ensure that the message is delivered consistently and uniformly regardless of placement.

Most businesses invest in warning signs because they are a practical necessity. Various types of signs are available, and investing in some as a business or property owner is highly beneficial.

Most owners place warning signs to comply with local legal requirements, but commercial establishments may do so simply to protect their employees and visitors. Before investing in a specific type of warning sign, consider the benefits and requirements first.

Increased safety precautions

A warning sign serves as a safety precaution, informing passers-by and employees of a potential threat. Therefore, construction workers post warning signs near their project site to warn commuters to avoid the area. Depending on where the warning signs are placed and for what reason, this enhanced safety measure protects employees and the public.

Assists in avoiding accidents

When the correct warning sign is installed in the right place, it can help prevent unnecessary accidents. For example, if there is a slick floor in the office, it is the responsibility of the cleaning and maintenance staff to post a “wet floor” warning sign. This will help people avoid slipping. A sudden slip caused by the absence of a sign may later result in a legal problem due to the employer’s ignorance. In fact, several warning signs are now considered legal requirements. As an owner or manager, you must determine which warning signs are required and install them on time.

Safeguarding property

If you have a large circuit or electrical board on your premises but do not post a warning sign, a sudden accident could cause property damage. Signs that warn people about dangerous areas are usually intended to scare them away. However, without a proper warning sign, employees may pass through that area with products that could cause a short circuit or other problems. Therefore, you must post warning signs that aid in property protection, particularly in these cases.

Contact Sure Signs for details

The absence of warning signs may result in fines and administrative hassles. It is the responsibility of a contractor or business owner to ensure that the appropriate warning signs are placed where they are needed.

Sure Signs specialises in the manufacture, design, and supply of warning signs. We can custom make signs to suit your specific requirements. All signs are available in 150 mm, 190 mm, 290 mm, or 440 mm.

The common signage types we offer include:

  • Aluminium signage
  • Photoluminescent signage
  • Firefighting signage
  • General signage
  • Mandatory signage
  • Prohibitory signage
  • Warning signage

Our warning sign solution is available in natural anodised aluminium frames. They can also be powder coated or anodised in any colour you choose. These signs can be face printed on photoluminescent vinyl, or they can be reversed screen printed on acrylic Perspex. Contact us for more information.

The importance of emergency and safety signs

Posted on by Sure Signs

Safety signs can be found in almost every area of large facilities and buildings – in schools, shopping centres, hospitals, factories, warehouses, etc. You might wonder why the signs are necessary since the hazards are often obvious. However, this isn’t always the case.

All businesses recognise that safety signs are essential to their health and safety policies.

Understanding the role of safety signs in the workplace may be a critical oversight for businesses in various industries. However, the success of a workplace safety intervention often depends on managers’ ability to communicate the value of a measure to their employees. After all, if employees do not believe in your company’s health and safety policies, they are less likely to follow the rules as strictly as they should.

Implementing workplace health and safety policies frequently necessitates a significant amount of reading, instruction, and learning, with the most dangerous occupations necessitating extensive training programs before the work can be done safely. In this context, safety signs‘ value lies in their ability to communicate the most important safety messages in a visual, immediate, and precisely targeted manner.

As a result, those in charge of workplace safety must consider why safety signs are so vital to ensure that they are always used correctly.

There are five common types of safety signs, each colour noting a specific instruction:

  • Red circle – Prohibition – means stop, don’t do
  • Blue circle – Mandatory – means obey
  • Yellow triangle – Warning – means a risk of danger
  • Green squares – Safe condition – means go, gives information
  • Red squares – Fire safety – info in emergencies

Safety signs are crucial because they cross any language barriers. The pictograms on these warning signs are universally recognised.

One of the most challenging tasks in ensuring good health and safety practices in information communication. It is critical that everyone involved understands the risks and how to deal with them. As a result, proper workplace signage is critical, as it is one of the primary points of reference and contact for employees. These safety signs should be placed anywhere there is a potential hazard, and the goal is to clearly indicate the danger so it can be avoided.

Because a simple warning of danger is insufficient in many cases, these signs can convey various meanings. Therefore, the most effective health and safety systems employ a comprehensive set of signs that help prevent dangerous situations and instruct workers on how to deal with them. A hazardous gas sign, for example, maybe accompanied by a warning to wear a gas mask. This is more effective than one warning symbol that does not explain how to avoid the potential danger.

However, safety signs are no substitute for a well-trained workforce. Instead, the signs should be a reminder and be of use to those who aren’t necessarily familiar with an area or process. As a result, safety signs must be simple to understand. To allow a person to make an immediate decision, simple graphics or words work far better than complex instruction. Many are quickly identified, such as the red circular prohibition sign, but others may require more specificity depending on the situation.

Having proper signs in your workplace can significantly reduce accidents and ensure your company is legally compliant.

Safety signs are essential safety communication tools because they help identify various hazards in the workplace and warn workers to keep an eye out for potential dangers through necessary information and safety instructions.

The sign you need

Sure Signs specialises in the manufacture, design, and supply of safety signs. We can custom make signs to suit your specific requirements. All signs are available in 150 mm, 190 mm, 290 mm, or 440 mm.

The common signage types we offer include:

  • Aluminium signage
  • Photoluminescent signage
  • Firefighting signage
  • General signage
  • Mandatory signage
  • Prohibitory signage
  • Warning signage

Our safety signs solution is available in natural anodized aluminium frames. They can also be powder coated or anodized in any colour you choose. These signs can be face printed on photoluminescent vinyl, or they can be reversed screen printed on acrylic Perspex. Contact us for more information.

THE BENEFITS OF ALUMINIUM SIGNAGE

Posted on by Sure Signs

There is widespread usage of aluminium signage in South Africa, whether they be for marketing businesses and storefronts, are placed in one of our many different types of industrial facilities to relay instructions or cautions, and even deep underground in our many mines where hazards are a part of daily life and need to be communicated to the people who work there.

This widespread use is no simple coincidence, but rather the result of a slew of exceptional benefits offered by aluminium signage in South Africa that are a direct result of the excellent properties of the metal itself.

So, if you are not convinced, here are a few reasons why aluminium signage is always a good option, almost regardless of what you intend to use it for…

ALUMINIUM SIGNAGE IN SOUTH AFRICA IS HIGHLY RESISTANT TO CORROSION

Corrosion is something that plagues just about any metal product in South Africa, particularly in high-humidity areas such as those found in our coastal regions. Of course, these high humidity areas are not the only ones where galvanic corrosion is a risk.

Wet weather is often enough to provide the right conditions for galvanic corrosion to eat through metal products in just about no time.

Aluminium, on the other hand, shares the property of high corrosion resistance with only a few other types of metals, making them a hardier, far more long-lasting solution than many of the other material options available to you.

PRESERVED QUALITY & COLOUR THICKNESS

Aluminium signage in South Africa is highly regarded for the quality of the prints on the material itself, with aluminium allowing for direct prints on a flat surface, but it also tends to hold ink better than many other material types.

This means that signage is clearly viewable, more vibrant, and retains its quality and condition for much longer, making it a worthwhile long-term solution.

UV & WEATHER RESISTANCE

One of the major reasons for the abovementioned benefit of preserving quality comes because of the exceptional UV protection that aluminium signs offer.

This makes them ideal for outdoor use (which is often where signs are needed most) since they are remarkably resistant to weather effects that would gradually bleach the ink or even decay the material over time.

LOW WEIGHT: HIGH STRENGTH

Another major advantage to aluminium in any form is that it has an excellent ratio of weight to strength when compared to just about any other type of material, but particularly when being compared to other types of metals.

Other materials are generally much heavier, more difficult to fabricate into particular shapes, and often need a more supportive structure to simply handle their own weight.

This drastically limits how they can be used, and where they can be used, a limitation not shared by aluminium itself.

Why?

Because it is both strong and lightweight, it can be easily fabricated to meet a myriad of specifications and is simple to work with when, for instance, erecting the sign itself.

But normally this would come with a certain amount of sacrifice to structural integrity, reducing its strength and durability.

Aluminium signage, on the other hand, still retains a lot of strength while being remarkably lightweight and easy to handle. This also means, that even for the simplest signs, they will last longer, require less maintenance, and less support.

CONTACT SURE SIGNS FOR DETAILS

If you would like to know more about how your business can benefit from our offers on aluminium signage in South Africa, be sure to get in contact with a representative from Sure Signs today or visit our website for details.

A RUNDOWN OF PHOTOLUMINESCENT SIGNS

Posted on by Sure Signs

Due to the materials used to make photoluminescent signs they are most typically used for emergency signage in situations where lighting is extremely limited.

They are commonly used to demark safe routes for evacuations in the event of emergencies, where power is likely to be unavailable, making dark areas difficult and unsafe to navigate.

Of course, this isn’t their only use, and their applications are dependent on your needs. THEY CAN BE CUSTOM PRINTED TO YOUR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.

BUT WHAT ARE PHOTOLUMINESCENT SIGNS?

Photoluminescence itself is an interesting material that both absorbs and emits light, which is why it is ideal for low-light situations, such as when the power is out during an emergency.

Because of this it can be used for emergency lighting as well as signage in low-light situations, such as signs that give evacuation instructions and keep people safe in these situations.

Being a light source that requires no electricity since they absorb ambient light and re-emit it when the lights are out, it can be employed without any need for nearby power sources.

Types of signs that benefit from being photoluminescent include emergency signs, exit signs, instructional signs, and more.

TYPES OF PHOTOLUMINESCENT SIGNS

There are also different types of photoluminescence, each providing a different level and duration of light, depending on your needs, we touched on them above with the Class A to D standards.

Lower standards will dissipate quickly, discharge light immediately, and ones that release photons after a delay and at lower amounts, but for much longer.

PHOTOLUMINESCENCE AND SAFETY COMPLIANCE

Photoluminescent signs also add a level of safety and compliance that is a critical part of industrial and commercial operations, making them a commonplace feature of workplaces. Of course, their safety benefits can be extended to residential setups like apartment buildings as well.

Where industry is concerned, power loss can be even more dangerous since obstacles often feature a more hazardous nature in environments like factories and workshops, and in these instances, photoluminescent signs are ideal for keeping up with levels of safety and compliance.

A BROADER RANGE OF USES

While safety is one of the most common features of photoluminescent signs, they can be creatively employed to all types of signage that is likely to be used in low light areas, as long as they do get exposed to enough light to store photons. They can, for instance, also be used for marketing or instructional signage.

BENEFITS OF PHOTOLUMINESCENT SIGNS

Using photoluminescent signs in your place of operations, whether for safety or other purposes, comes with numerous advantages in any context.

The first and most notable benefit is that they are obviously highly energy efficient, and can be employed with literally no connection to a power grid. In times of emergency when there is likely not going to be power available, being energy efficient is a standout characteristic.

Eco-friendliness is another benefit of photoluminescence for much the same reason that energy efficiency is. That is to say that you won’t need to power it with batteries or other discardable materials that contribute to wastage. They also don’t consume any energy from the grid, making them an environmentally friendly.

Being a remarkably energy efficient product makes photoluminescent signs a more affordable option than many other types of signage, particularly those that need to be powered. Your business can save a ton of money over a long period of time, simply by not consuming electricity or batteries.

Photoluminescent signs also boast an incredibly long lifespan, far longer than any lighting solution at about 20 to 25 years. That’s a lot of time to make monthly savings on no power costs for emergency signage.

FIND OUT MORE AT SURE SIGNS

If you would like to know more about implementing photoluminescent signs in your workplace, be sure to get in contact with a representative from Sure Signs today, by visiting our website for details.