Construction sites are dangerous locations. They contain many inherent injury risks, such as trenches, uneven walking surfaces and falling objects. It is a construction company’s legal responsibility to provide all required safety signage at a construction site to help prevent construction accidents and injuries. If you were invovled in an accident due to inadequate signage, contact our Las Vegas construction accident attorney.
What Are the OSHA Requirements for Construction Signage?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) worked together to create a list of safety signs that must be implemented at all construction sites to warn workers and the public of potential hazards. Construction companies and their site managers must meet these specifications or face penalties for violating federal safety standards.
Danger Signs
Danger signs must be used where an immediate hazard exists. They must have red upper panels, black border outlines, the word “Danger” printed in white letters and white lower panels for additional wording.
Examples of danger signs include:
- High voltage
- Hazardous chemicals
- Falling debris
- Hole or trench
- Heavy equipment
- Confined space
- Flammable materials
- Slippery surface
- Respiratory hazard
All employees working at the construction site must be instructed that the danger signs indicate an immediate danger and that they must take special precautions in these areas.
Caution Signs
Caution signs warn against potential hazards, such as risks that could cause minor injuries, or warn workers against unsafe practices.
Examples of caution signs include:
- Uneven surface
- Wet floor
- Moving equipment
- Hazardous waste
- Overhead work
- Hot surface
- High noise area
Caution signs must be predominantly yellow, with a black background and the word “Caution” in yellow letters.
Safety Instruction Signs
Safety instruction signs must be used any time there is a need to provide workers or the public with general instructions or suggestions to improve safety.
Examples include:
- Hard hat area
- Ear protection required
- Safety goggles required
- Fall protection required
- Emergency eyewash station
Safety instruction signs must be white with a green upper panel and white lettering. They should be posted in locations where it is necessary to offer extra protection to workers.
Recovering Compensation for Injuries Caused by Inadequate Signage
It goes against federal safety regulations to neglect to post the required types of safety signage at a construction site. Any danger, caution or safety instruction sign used must be placed in a conspicuous location where it is clearly visible to workers. “Danger” and “Caution” signs must be visible to workers from five feet away.
The failure to implement the required safety signage at a construction site is known as negligence. If negligence results in a construction worker’s injury or death, the construction company can be held responsible, or liable. The injured victim or his or her family can pursue financial compensation through a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit, depending on the circumstances.
A workers’ compensation claim is a simpler legal process, as proof of negligence or fault is not required. However, a personal injury lawsuit could result in greater compensation for the victim’s losses. The failure to provide proper safety signage at a construction site can be grounds for a lawsuit brought against an employer or another party. To discuss your legal options after a recent construction site injury, contact a Las Vegas injury lawyer from Koch & Brim, LLP for a free consultation.