Safety posters are often required by law to be posted in a conspicuous area so that employees and others can see the warnings. They are often used in industry where there is imminent danger of being harmed if the warning is not heeded. You often will see safety posters in restaurants in the kitchen where the employees can be potentially burned or come into contact with something else that can harm them.
Mandated by State Law
Certain safety posters are mandated by state and federal law. It is required that these posters are placed where an employee during the normal course of their day would see the posters. The posters are typically used to explain dangers and are often found in industrial and building sites. The state laws that govern these displays usually will fall under the Department of Labor for that state or OSHA which is the federal organization that is concerned with worker safety.
If an inspector should happen by the work area and not see the safety posters displayed it could result in heavy fines. The theory is that if an employee is not aware of their situation and accepts it willingly after being informed of the danger than the employer is at fault should something happen to the employee.
Many times the state mandates that this posters are displayed in both English and Spanish. It is not only for the employees protection but it is also for the employers protection. For example if a work area requires that hard hats are to be worn in the area and the posters are clearly displayed where the employees can see them, if the employee was to enter the area without a hard hat than the employer would not be liable for any injuries. On the other hand if the posters are not displayed and the employee goes on to get hurt than it is the employers responsibility and he can be heldiable.
In Commercial Settings
You will often see safety oriented posters in commercial settings warning clients and customers of potential dangers. You also see them a lot at amusement parks warning of the potential dangers of riding on certain amusement ride while pregnant or if you have a back injury. They are clearly displayed where park goers can easily see them.
Safety posters are also found on subways warning of the potential harm if you stick your arm between the subway doors. You find them in other public forums as well, warning citizens of potential dangers.
Safety posters play an important roll in day to day living and should never be ignored.
