Safety Signs: What Kind of Safety Signs Does Your Business Need in Ontario?
Safety signs are essential for keeping your workplace safe
AGC Makes the Safety Signs Your Business Needs
Displaying the appropriate safety signs around your business is an essential part of ensuring safety in your workplace. The Government of Ontario has specific guidelines regarding what documents need to be posted in each workplace, as well as certain signs you need to use based on the hazards your workplace may contain.
This article will provide an overview of what the laws for safety signs are in Ontario, as well as many helpful links you can refer to when you’re looking to make your workplace as safe as it can be.
Click the subheadings below to be taken to the corresponding section:
1 - SAFETY SIGN LAWs IN ONTARIO
When in doubt, trust what the provincial law says about workplace safety
The governing board for health and safety in the workplace is the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, or CCOHS for short (this is the Canadian equivalent of the American organization OSHA).
The CCOHS compiles the different laws that determine which documents or legal signage need to be posted in each province. If you don’t live in Ontario, you can find information about your province here.
But for those that do live in Ontario, here is a summary of what signs the federal government requires every business to display or make publicly available in their workplace:
The standard “Health & Safety at Work” and “In Case of Injury” posters
A copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as the business’ specific health and safety policy
Names and work locations of joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members
Copies of any relevant orders the government has passed
Policies and documentation for any biological/chemical/physical agents, or any airborne designated substances
Keep in mind that this list is the bare minimum of what each workplace needs to display. Certain workplaces will require additional signage based on their unique hazards.
Read on to the next section for more details on workplace-specific safety signs.
2 - BUSINESS-SPECIFIC SAFETY SIGNS
Different workplaces require different types of safety signs
Whenever your business or workplace contains hazards that could put the employees or property at risk, it’s best to have well-made, well-placed safety signs to mitigate risks.
If you’re a business in Ontario and you need high-quality posters or signs to use at your business, contact AGC Signs for a free consultation.
The following are a few more common types of safety signs that you may need at your business:
No Smoking/Vaping Signs
USE: You must post these signs if your business is an enclosed workplace or public space.
EXAMPLES: Any restaurant patio or outdoor event space needs these, as well as places like offices and retail stores.
For more information, see the government page here.
Slow-Moving Vehicle Signs
USE: You must display these signs on vehicles that cannot sustain a speed of 40 km/hr or greater
EXAMPLES: Construction equipment, farm equipment, and forklifts. You do not need this sign on bicycles, mopeds, or any horse-drawn vehicles.
For details on where to attach the sign, see the government page here.
Pesticide Signs
USE: These signs must be used to notify the public of the use or storage of pesticides.
EXAMPLES: Factories that deal with hazardous chemicals, or maintenance facilities.
There are a variety of different pesticide signs that are required to be used for different purposes or locations. For a complete list, refer to this document here.
3 - More Information regarding SAFETY SIGNs
This safety sign stands out and is clear in it’s message
When installing your safety signs, remember to consider these practical concerns:
The sign should be clearly visible
The sign should be out of the way of personal and vehicular traffic
The sign should be durable and resistant to things like weathering
Other Important Signs
These signs and labels are not used by most businesses, but by government workers and hazardous substance manufacturers. Even if your business doesn’t need these signs, it’s important to know what they mean if you ever come across them:
Keep the people in your workplace safe by educating them on the meaning of different safety signs.
When installing the right safety signs for your workplace, you want to ensure you’re following the correct legal guidelines, and that you have the correct permits for the signs you need. AGC Signs can not only do this research for you, but they can design, install, and even maintain your signs for you. When it comes to safety, trust the experience of a full-service company like AGC Signs.
AGC Signs | DURABLE, high-quality safety signs
This full-service shop handles everything from manufacturing to installation! contact AGC for a free quote today.
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