Safety & Security Signs

Do you make Custom Signs?

Yes! Let Idesco Safety help you get the sign you need, when you need it, with your specific message! Our custom signs are limitless in size, color, design or wording, and are available in a variety of materials including flexible pressure sensitive vinyl, hard plastic, and rugged aluminum.

Do you have a design? Send it to us and we’ll send you finished safety signs. Do you want us to design the sign using your specifications? Just call or email us with your specs and we’ll take it from there.

Do you want to build morale and company spirit? Create safety signs with your company logo and add specific language which lets everybody know they are part of the team. You can even include a photo of your facility or of your employees.

How big should my Safety Sign be?

Whether your sign is being placed indoors or outdoors, visibility is primarily determined by primary viewing distance. The ANSI Z535.2 sign standard uses a ratio of 25 feet of viewing distance per inch of text height, assuming favorable viewing conditions. So the overall size is determined by counting the total number of letters, numbers and spaces in the longest line of your message, picking a size of type that will be visible from your primary viewing distance, and then multiplying the number of digits by the size of the type to calculate the widest point of the sign.

How do I choose a font or typeface?

Both OSHA-style and ANSI-style signs may have a variety of fonts or typefaces. In most cases, the headline will stand out more effectively if it is in ALL CAPS or if it has a bolder font than the rest of the text. Generally upper and lower type is better for the remainder of the sign message as it is easier to read upper and lower case words than words printed in all capital letters. Use the capital letters to determine the overall size of your letters for readability.

What material should I choose for my sign?

Conditions where the safety sign is displayed usually determine the most appropriate material for your sign. If the sign is being used in an office area, then a vinyl, pressure-sensitive sign often suffices. If the sign is positioned in an industrial or warehouse facility, a more durable hard-plastic sign is recommended. If it is in an area of great traffic, or a highly corrosive or outdoor environment, we recommend our most durable aluminum safety sign material. Following these guidelines will give you the optimal solution economically and ensure durability for years to come.

What is OSHA? What is ANSI?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a governmental agency that was created by Congress in 1971 as a subset of the Department of Labor. OSHA’s mission is to assure safe working conditions for employees by “setting and enforcing standards”.

Founded in 1918, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting “voluntary consensus standards.” ANSI’s primary mission is to facilitate the development of standards that establish a level of quality and safety across an entire industry.

The enforcement aspect of OSHA is its primary distinction from ANSI. While many OSHA regulations address similar topics to ANSI standards, ANSI standards are voluntary, while OSHA regulations are law. Violations from failure to comply with OSHA regulations may result in legal actions such as fines, penalties, shut-downs, and even possible jail terms.

What is the difference between OSHA-Style and ANSI-Style Safety Signs?

OSHA regulation 1910.145 specifies requirements for safety signs and establishes three classifications of signs, namely Danger, Caution and Safety Instruction signs. The OSHA standard outlines sign color requirements and sign wording.

Approved in September 1968, ANSI Z35-1968 had five classifications of signs. These were Danger, Caution, Safety Instruction, Directional, and Informational signs. This standard outlined sign design, colors, wording, lettering, and construction. Approved in September 2011, ANSI Z535-2011 supersedes ANSI Z35 and has eight classifications of signs. These are Danger, Warning, Caution, Notice, General Safety, Fire Safety, Directional Arrow Signs, and Special Signs. ANSI Z535-2011 also defines sign size, text size, and viewing distance of a sign. In 2013, OSHA adopted ANSI Z35-1968 and Z535-2011 standards, and thereby encourages use of these standards, although OSHA has not required their use.

OSHA-style signs and labels refer to signs that were in use prior to the ANSI standard and these are still the most widely recognized design format. They primarily use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS (upper case lettering) and the message is generally centered underneath the header.

The newer ANSI-style signs are gaining popularity quickly. ANSI-style signs usually include a visual alert symbol and left-justified upper and lower case message lettering. The signs also incorporate action-oriented language and consequences rather than passive warnings.

ANSI studies showed that signs with these elements are easier to read, quicker to understand, more compelling, and therefore more effective in preventing accidents than the older, traditional OSHA-style signs. While a majority of industrial sign buyers still purchase the OSHA style signs, especially when they order simple stock signs, there is a growing trend towards the ANSI designs, especially with custom signage.

When should we use Bilingual Signs?

Most companies choose bilingual safety signage when a significant percentage of the workforce speaks a second language and is not comfortable with English. Non-English speaking employees must be made aware of potential hazards as effectively as English-speaking employees. However, if an overwhelming number of employees speak another language, it may actually make more sense to use a non-English sign rather than a bilingual sign. We have a full range of signs available in Spanish, and all signs may be custom made in any language. A dual-language or bilingual sign often appears cluttered and therefore difficult to read, so it is important to design bilingual signs carefully for maximum impact.

What is the difference between Fluorescent and Photoluminescent Signs?

Fluorescent signs are brighter than regular colorful signs. Fluorescent colors work by “grabbing wavelength” from the adjacent color spectrum and fluorescent colors are therefore more intense and more reflective in sun and other light. So fluorescent orange is more intense and brighter than a standard orange. Fluorescent yellow is more intense than regular yellow.

When photoluminescent materials are exposed to artificial light, they retain that light energy and glow in the dark after the lights are off. Idesco's photoluminescent safety signs remain visible for hours after the lights are turned off or after a power outage. Fire regulations often require doors, stairwells and exit areas to remain visible in the event of a power outage, and photoluminescent signs and floor markings are designed to direct workers to safety during an emergency. Photoluminescent signs require no electrical power and no maintenance.

What are the best colors and materials for Fire Extinguisher Signs?

OSHA is not specific about material or color requirements for Fire Extinguisher Signs except that the signs must be "conspicuous". This means they must stand out from all the other visible signs, and also be quickly distinguished from all factory machinery and equipment. Signs that are too small or use dull colors or that become ragged or worn out are not considered conspicuous.

For this reason, the most popular color for Fire Extinguisher Signs is PMS 185, also known as Fire Engine Red. Photoluminescent and Fluorescent colors are also popular choices for Fire Extinguisher signs.