What's Your Sign? OSHA Requirements - BodyShop Business

What’s Your Sign? OSHA Requirements

Caution, No smoking, High voltage, EEOC — your shop may be full of signs like these. Do you know which ones the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires your shop to have? If you don’t, all signs point to you sitting down and reading this.

With so many signs around your shop, it’s difficult to decipher between the ones you’re required by law to dangle in front of your employees and which ones can easily be discarded. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires various markings, postings, identifications and labeling throughout any typical business. And although it’s impossible to address every situation in every facility, many of the OSHA requirements refer to situations commonly found in collision repair shops. So listen up.

The best place to start our discussion is at the front door or any place your employees congregate. OSHA regulations (29CFR 1903.2) state that a Job Safety and Health Protection notice (Form 2203) must be posted in "a conspicuous place where notices to employees are customarily posted." Be warned: This is one of the most frequently cited OSHA standards. The notice informs employees of their protections and obligations under the act. It must be at least 8 inches by 14 inches with print in a 10-point font or larger and the caption portion of the posting in a font no smaller than 36 point.

Other notices that should be nearby include the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s "It’s the Law" poster, the Polygraph and Protection Act poster and any other state-mandated safety and health notices.

While you’re standing at the door, look up and make sure the emergency exits are properly marked. Exits must be marked with a readily visible sign illuminated by a reliable light source (internal illumination may also be required). The sign must have the word "exit" in letters at least 6 inches tall.

Next on the list is the OSHA Form 200 Injury and Illness Log. An annual summary of occupational injuries and illnesses must be posted no later than Feb. 1 of each year and remain posted until March 1. You don’t need to post the entire OSHA Log 200, just a summary of the information on the form. The actual OSHA form is marked with dotted lines and the statement "Post only this portion of the last page no later than February 1" indicates what part of the form should be posted.

There are many areas of your shop where danger, caution, safety and instruction signs aren’t only required but vital to employees. Similar to other signs, they also have standards describing the use, color scheme and design.

• Danger signs are red with black or white lettering and are used to warn of specific and immediate dangers.

• Signs marking fire protection equipment are also red and white.

• Caution signs are yellow and black and warn against potential hazards or unsafe practices.

• Safety instruction signs are green and white or black and white and are placed where there’s a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measures.

Now the big question: Where do you put all these signs? The easiest way to identify the proper locations is to think in terms of workplace hazards and the basic description of the signs.

Danger Signs

• No Smoking — post in or near paint booth, flammable liquid/compressed gas storage areas and battery charging areas.

• High Voltage — post near electric panels and breakers.

• Flammable (Liquids) Keep Fire Away

• No Open Flames

• Gasoline

• Open Pit

Caution Signs

• Welding Fumes May Be Present — post in welding areas.

•Caution Hot — post near parts and pressure washers.

• Floor Slippery When Wet

• Eye Protection Required — post near grinder, drill press, brake lathe or in areas where techs are cleaning with compressed air

• Watch Your Step

• Authorized Personnel Only

Safety Instruction Signs

• Battery Charger

• Spray Paint Booth Paint Fumes May be Present

• Respirator Storage

• Eye Wash Station

• Floor Load Capacity: ___ lbs. Per Square Foot — place in mezzanine storage areas.

• First Aid

• Safety First — Clean Up Spills

These are just a few samples of signs that may be required or recommended for your shop. If you’d like additional information on specific signage, contact OSHA’s national headquarters at (202) 693-1999.

Reprinted courtesy of Universal Underwriters Group.

You May Also Like

Body Bangin’: The Disengagement Epidemic with Kevin Wolfe

Micki Woods interviews Leaders Way Owner Kevin Wolfe on why 73% of work professionals are disengaged today and what we can do about it.

Micki Woods, master marketer for collision repair shops and owner of Micki Woods Marketing, has released the latest episode of "Body Bangin'," the video podcast that is taking the industry by storm!

In this episode, Woods interviews Kevin Wolfe, owner of Leaders Way and former mechanical shop owner, on how he became the shop everyone wanted to work at. Wolfe also points out that 73% of work professionals today are disengaged — an all-time high — and discusses why that is and how we can fix that.

Body Bangin’: I Thought We Were Doing It Right with Josh Piccione

Micki Woods interviews Josh Piccione on repairing vehicles correctly — according to manufacturer guidelines.

Body Bangin’: Be a Star Not a Hamster with Robert Snook

Micki Woods interviews popular keynote speaker Robert Snook on how to differentiate and grow your business.

Body Bangin’: Know Me, Know My Car with Mike Anderson

Micki Woods interviews Mike Anderson on the importance of building an emotional connection with your customers.

Body Bangin’: Fighting for Consumer Safety with Burl Richards

Micki Woods interviews Burl Richards on his personal mission to fight for consumers’ rights and safety.

Other Posts

Body Bangin’: The Employer-Student Disconnect

Micki Woods interviews Raven Hartkopf, lead collision instructor at Collin College in Texas, on what students want from a shop employer.

Body Bangin’: Why Follow OEM Repair Procedures?

Micki Woods interviews Logan Payne of Payne & Sons Paint & Body Shop on the importance of following OEM repair procedures.

Body Bangin’: Getting Paid for Calibrations

Micki Woods interviews Andy Hipwell and James Rodis of OEM Calibration on how to get started doing ADAS calibrations.

Body Bangin’: What Are The Consolidators Up To With Laura Gay

Micki Woods interviews Laura Gay of Consolidation Coach on the current state of auto body shop consolidation.