The accurate interpretation of safety signs is crucial to prevent injuries and save lives. OSHA has set industry standards that clearly define what a safety sign is, how it should be used and where it should be placed. However, when it comes to deciding whether to use a sign or a label to convey a message, OSHA leaves that part up to each individual company.
Every facility will have different priorities and constraints when it comes to choosing safety labels and signs. It may often require experimentation with different kinds of materials and designs to determine what is most effective, but safety labels are most commonly made of an adhesive-backed vinyl material to apply directly to a surface, while safety signs are constructed from a hard-backed material designed to attach to walls, doors, fencing and more.