One of the most familiar warning signs on roads and in pedestrian areas is “Slippery When Wet.” These signs are often found on mountainous and winding roads, as well as in kitchens and bathrooms where someone has just mopped the floor. Since they are caution signs, they usually have yellow or orange backgrounds. Many of the signs are diamond-shaped but they can take other shapes.
The Slippery When Wet sign is more commonly viewed indoors as a warning to foot traffic, especially in restaurants and shopping centers. Furthermore, most of these signs are portable and are often placed in temporary locations. There are many different types of floor signs, with the most common being a folding standup model. They should be placed anywhere that it’s possible for a person to slip and fall, but should be removed when no longer needed.
Restaurants should keep multiple caution signs on hand, since people are constantly moving with trays of drinks that can potentially spill. The signs are frequently needed in dishwashing areas where high pressure water is used to clean dishes. They should be placed where they can be clearly seen by employees and customers and should be visible on video cameras to prove people were warned of wet conditions. OSHA requires yellow caution signs where dangerous conditions occur to alert employees.
Manufacturing centers sometimes have problems with chemical spills, which can cause slippery road conditions. While these signs are useful in those scenarios, it’s important to use more specific signage if a chemical spill of hazardous materials occurs. Safety regulations of all public places generally require all indoor workstations and pedestrian surfaces to be free of contamination and slippery surfaces.
Rain can mix with contaminants, mildew and mold, which can create slippery outdoor surfaces. Property surfaces must be slip-resistant or the owner can be held liable. That’s why it is crucial to post the appropriate warning signs when hazards develop. The owner must ensure spill response procedures take place to keep people separated from materials that are flammable, corrosive or toxic. Containing the chemical from spreading is a major health concern, which is why multiple signs are necessary.
Slippery When Wet signs are needed for roads that make a series of turns in which it’s dangerous to drive at a certain speed after it has rained. Highways along mountainsides can end up covered in mud from rockslides in the winter after heavy rain. Locations where slippery road conditions can be predicted are where these signs should be placed. A sign with the image of a car on a curving road can serve as a warning for slippery conditions.
Posting Slippery When Wet signs in appropriate locations helps alert drivers to pay attention to the roadway and drive carefully. Contact Zumar at our Arizona, California or Washington location for more information about various types of road signs.