Although we still see it often in factories, terminals, ships, offshore platforms and many other workplaces, text-only safety signage is not effective. With all good intentions, efforts are made to make the dangers at that location clear to workers or visitors. Complying with legislation and standards is a basic requirement, but conveying information about possible risks should be priority number one.

For as long as Blomsma Signs & Safety has been active, we have been using visual language to influence people’s behavior and thus create a safer working environment. This visual language has a scientific foundation called the Picture Superiority Effect.

What is the Picture Superiority Effect?

The Picture Superiority Effect is a cognitive phenomenon that refers to people’s ability to remember visual information better than verbal or written information. In other words, people are more likely to remember information in the form of pictures, photographs or graphics than information in the form of text or spoken words. This effect occurs because visual information is processed and stored differently in the brain than verbal information and because pictures are often more vivid and attract more attention than words. The Picture Superiority Effect has been studied extensively in the fields of psychology, education, safety signage and advertising and has important implications for how information is presented and communicated to people in a variety of contexts.

The Picture Superiority Effect and safety signage

Using the Picture Superiority Effect is a powerful tool in minimizing work-related accidents through effective safety signage. Through the use of visual cues, such as pictures and symbols, safety messages can be conveyed in a more attractive and memorable way, making them more effective in reducing the likelihood of accidents.

For example, signs warning of potential hazards such as “slippery surface” or “high voltage” are more effective when accompanied by visual cues that show the danger, such as a person slipping on a wet floor or a symbol of a lightning bolt. These visual cues quickly and effectively make the danger clear to workers, who are more likely to remember and follow the safety instructions.

In addition, good safety signage should be placed in places that are visible and conspicuous, such as walls, along walking/traffic routes or at eye level, so that workers are constantly reminded of the hazards and actions to be taken in the workplace. This can be especially important in areas where the risk of accidents is high, such as near heavy machinery, near hazardous materials and atmospheres or on elevated surfaces.

By incorporating the Picture Superiority Effect into safety signage, you can positively influence employee safety behavior. By making safety messages more attractive and easier to remember, employees will be more likely to follow instructions and take the necessary precautions to prevent accidents. This in turn can lead to a reduction in workplace accidents, injuries and fatalities, ultimately improving the health and well-being of workers and reducing the economic cost of workplace accidents.

From a collection of loose slogans to a safety signage system

One of our focuses of safety signage is the recognizable display of information using graphics. Through an appropriate composition of symbols, color schemes and backgrounds, we create optimally communicating safety signs. The result is higher attention value, a valuable investment. Blomsma Signs & Safety implements safety signs on a project basis and always on the basis of the applicable laws, regulations and standards. These are based on (inter)national standards such as NEN, ISO and DIN standards that promote standardisation. This standardization then promotes recognition and comprehensibility. A well thought-out mix of legal requirements, standards, graphic design, choice of materials and positioning is the optimal way to meet your needs.

Would you like a no-obligation assessment of your safety signage by our specialists? Then contact our team today.