- Author
-
Lerner, N. D.
|
Collins, B. L.
- Title
- Workplace Safety Symbols: Current Status and Research Needs.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- National Institute of Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV
- Report
-
NBSIR 80-2003,
March 1980,
61 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
-
hazards
|
safety
|
standards
|
systems
- Abstract
- Although writ ten signs are a common means of conveying safety information in the workplace, pictographic symobols can be a more effective way of providing the same information. Symbols are independent of a particular written language, and can be more accurately and rapidly perceived than the comparable work message. Despite the many advantages of safety symbols, they can be ineffective or even dangerous if the intended meaning is not accurately communicated. As a result, there is a great need for careful evaluation, consistent application, and eventual standardization for safety symbols. This report documents an initial assessment of current symbol use and future requirements. It includes a review of the technical literature on symbol research; observation of safety sign and symbol use in the workplace; compilation of commercially available symbol referents; and review of national and international standards. Based upon these sources, an initial list of 40 symbol referents is presented along with research priorities for evaluating the effectiveness of symbols for these referents.