In addition to acting as constant reminders about dangers and hazards, workplace safety posters serve to communicate safety messages, support training and enhance the safety culture, say officials at Safety World (www.safetyworld.com), a company that provides engaging communication, training and awareness tools.
“Though seemingly simple, good posters have the ability to tap into the psychological principles of perception and cognition,” they note. “Human evolution and biology cause us to see and understand certain visual clues better than other types of communication, including text.”
The company has published, Do posters work as an effective tool to improve workplace safety?, a best practice guide to displaying safety posters. This resource notes that safety posters provide five particular benefits:
1. Simple messaging. Safety messaging that is simple is most effective, and posters excel at providing straightforward information in a bold, consistent way.
2. Demonstrate company commitment. Posters are one of the most consistent tools to demonstrate safety culture in a workplace, as they are highly visible and always present.
3. Focus on positive behaviors. Effective posters promote positive behaviors in the workforce, and that is the cornerstone of any effective safety program.
4. Provide alternate channel. The visual elements on a poster, placed in prominent positions, are inescapable and unavoidable.
5. Help maintain interest. Posters that are periodically rotated provide a simple, easy and inexpensive way to maintain interest and focus in safety messaging.
The a best practice guide can be accessed for free online at www.vehicleservicepros.com/whitepaper/11656195/do-posters-work-as-an-effective-tool-to-improve-workplace-safety or at http://trial.safetyposter.com/posters-improve-workplace-safety/.
