Workplace safety labels play a crucial role in preventing personal injury and job-site accidents. But they can also remind employees and visitors about health safety. As Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other illnesses continue to spread across the U.S., it’s crucial to prioritize the health and safety of your employees and patrons. Read on for ways to keep your workplace safe and healthy.

Post Hygiene Reminders Using Removable Safety Labels

As an employer, you have a duty to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of your employees and visitors. The World Health Organization has offered simple steps to help reduce the risk of exposure, particularly in how you communicate handwashing protocol.

For example, removable labels — repositionable stickers that leave no residue — can be placed on mirrors in bathrooms or on walls around your facility. They can encourage handwashing in the following situations:

  • After using the bathroom
  • Before, during and after food preparation
  • After handling pets or other animals or their food and waste
  • Before eating food
  • Following blowing a nose, coughing or sneezing
  • After caring for someone who is sick or after changing a child’s diaper

Health safety labels can also encourage employees to routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces, such as keyboards, remote controls, desks, countertops and doorknobs. Most importantly, you can use preventive action labels to encourage staying home when sick as it’s the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs.

Seal Food Delivery Packaging Using Tamper-Evident Labels

As take-out services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates conveniently offer food delivery right to your doorstep, there are growing concerns about food security. One way to combat food contamination and offer the reassurance that each order has remained untouched is through branded tamper-evident labels.

This convenient, permanent, pressure sensitive seal features die cuts for security. When the label is removed, these slits separate into pieces, indicating tampering. Tamper-evident labels fit a wide variety of take-out containers and delivery bags, so all your take-out customers can have confidence in the food they’ve ordered.

Warn Employees Using Machine Safety Labels

Safety labels should be prominently displayed on any heavy equipment or machinery. According to ANSI (American National Standards Institute), safety labels should include a pictogram and a signal word, such as:

  • CAUTION (minor or moderate injury could occur – yellow)
  • WARNING (death or serious injury could occur – orange)
  • DANGER (death or serious injury WILL occur – red)

Below or to the side should be a brief description of the nature and consequences of the hazard and how to avoid it. Machine safety labels need to be engineered for the industrial environment. That’s why we recommend DURO-labels, which can adhere to both smooth and textured surfaces and outlast tough conditions.

Communicate Expectations with Facility Safety Labels

It’s also crucial to evaluate your facility for safety hazards. Consistent and effective labeling, in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other industry regulations, is essential to prevent workplace injuries, costly downtime, workers’ compensation claims, and fines.

These labels may appear around your workplace to remind employees about basic safety measures, such as wearing proper footwear or closing doors. ANSI offers greater flexibility for these types of labels, but generally they should include a pictogram and the signal word “NOTICE”, along with a brief description of the required action.

Prevent Accidents with Chemical Safety Labels

Chemical safety labels can do much more than identify substances. Some specify dangers related to hazardous materials to ensure proper use, prevent injuries and even save lives. OSHA requires that all hazardous chemical labels include the following:

  • Pictogram
  • Signal word (CAUTION, WARNING, or DANGER)
  • Product identification (name of chemical)
  • Brief description of the nature and consequences of the hazard and how to avoid it.
  • Name, address, and telephone number of chemical manufacturer

Chemical hazard labels may mark corrosive, caustic and hazardous chemicals throughout the workplace. This means they must be abrasion and chemical resistant, UV rated, waterproof, and steam resistant. These labels offer peace of mind and proper safety awareness for employees that work in an environment where toxic chemicals are often used.

Be Proactive in Keeping Your Workplace Safe

Risks are everywhere. But it’s possible to make your workplace, products and services safer by helping people better understand dangers and how to take caution. At Labels and Specialty Products, we know that you often need to communicate hazards and best practices fast. That’s why we offer a quick turnaround to help you meet standards and communicate your message as soon as possible. Contact our experts today to discuss how we can help you print your safety label.