If you are a facility manager or a workplace safety supervisor, then you should know about the requirements of wet floor sign. Because there can be a time when you have to place wet floor signs correctly.
So today, we will explain the meaning of these signs and OSHA wet floor sign regulations. You will also know the legal status of no wet floor sign lawsuit compensation and the court results in case of violations.
Wet Floor Sign Meaning
Wet floor means the ground you are going to walk on may be slippery due to being wet or an oil spill. So there are chances of you slipping there and getting a serious injury. Therefore, wet floor signs are placed there to alert you about the falls that may happen if you neglect them.
Generally, it has a bright yellow color with a red symbol. This symbol shows a falling person inside a red or black triangle. Moreover, some text like “Caution”, “Warning”, “Wet floor”, or “Slippery when wet” is written in black color.
Are Wet Floor Signs Required By Law?
Commonly, the wet floor signs are not required by law. Instead, the mandate is responsible for a safe working environment for employees.
Means, if you’re a commercial establishment, you have to keep your workers safe from any type of harm. And, indirectly, the wet floor itself is also a hazardous condition.
Because 20 percent of accidental deaths per year are caused by falls or slips, for that reason, you must place wet floor signs or keep the area dry that is not directly required by law.
So, the law isn’t demanding these signs, but wants to avoid tripping in any business facility by warning about the danger.
OSHA Wet Floor Sign Regulations
According to OSHA, caution signs are only meant to alert people about unsafe areas or risky practices. And the businesses must instruct their workers about these signs to keep them safe from injury.
Additionally, OSHA also has some rules about the color of the wet floor sign. In order to be clearly visible, the background color must be yellow with black text and a falling body sign as described above. Moreover, the wording gives a positive impact instead of a negative one and is easily readable from a distance.
Now, are you thinking of how many feet does a wet floor sign cover? Then, for larger slippery areas, the signs should be spaced 10 to 15 feet away to make sure proper visibility and safety.
On the other hand, if an area is being mopped, a wet floor sign must be used. The same goes for oil spills until the floor is fully dry.
No Wet Floor Sign Lawsuit Compensation
Slipping on a wet floor with no sign can lead to legal consequences for a property owner. By law, once you step onto business premises, the owner is responsible for your duty of care.
And if slippage happens because of no signage, this shows their negligence towards the safety of their employees and visitors.
Due to that fall, if a person had a serious type of injury, he/she can sue the property owner for medical compensation. That amount of compensation depends on the severity of the injury.
For example, the wrist injury is less severe, the elbow injury is moderate, while the ankle injury is very severe. So, the amount varies according to the seriousness of the damage.
In addition to the medical expenses, including surgeries, therapies, hospital stays, or medications, there are more claims as well. Many people also claim for lost wages because of their missed work during the recovery time.
Also, if you’re hurt so badly that you can’t go back to work, you can also get money for the income you’ll lose in the future.
The main point is that you just need to prove the slip due to the absence of a wet floor sign. And for that, you need CCTV footage that proves the incident.
Do Wet Floor Signs Hold Up in Court?
It is not always the deciding factor that the presence of the wet floor signs keeps the property owners safe from lawsuits. Still, they can hold up in court instead of warning visitors about the hazard.
Because only placing the wet floor signage is not enough. You, as a facility owner, need to make sure that the signage must be clearly visible.
Moreover, the sign should be placed at the right distance based on how big the spill is. Lawyers and judges look at the whole situation. They also check how quickly the staff clean the floor.
Wet Floor Hazard and Control – Jackwin’s Advice
According to our experts at Jackwin, one of the best ways to avoid slip accidents is to handle liquids carefully. As a facility manager, you should instruct cleaners to use drip trays when working with fluids and ensure all containers have proper lids.
In order to prevent splashes when using hoses, you need to add screens. These small steps can stop spills before they hit the floor.
You must also control access to wet areas. If cleaning can’t be done after hours, you should block off the area or use wet floor signs to keep people aware of the situation.
Furthermore, floors and cleaning tools matter too. You must use slip-resistant flooring in risky areas and clean them with the right liquids to protect the surface.
It is important to never leave puddles behind, let the floor air dry or use a dry mop when needed. Also, if the workspaces are mostly wet, you have to provide proper footwear to the workers.
At last, don’t overlook general upkeep. You should clean up spills right away and report any damaged flooring. And using anti-slip mats on stairs or entranceways for extra safety is also a good practice.
In cold or rainy seasons, make sure outdoor paths are clear and well-lit so people can walk safely at all times.
Wet Floor Sign Price
If we talk about the cost of a single wet floor sign, it is from $2.5 to $3 per MOQ 500 pcs. However, in China, when you buy products for your company in bulk quantities, these prices become lower. The reason is, workplace safety product manufacturer make 1000s of units every month. It is easy for them to ship your big orders and deliver them to your doorstep in any country of the world.
To Summarize
Now you can see why you need to place wet floor signs on your property and what OSHA tells you about wet floors. We recommend you take good care of your employees and customers by using these safety products. Otherwise, you can face some legal and serious consequences.
Our company JACKWIN is a wholesale supplier of wet floor signs in China. Contact us today for a quick quote and ask our engineers to customize products according to your needs.
FAQs
How Many Wet Floor Signs Do I Need?
Well, the proper figure is not written anywhere exactly. However, it mainly depends on the total space covered by water or oil. Generally, you need to place wet floor signs at each point of entry from which a person can enter the wet place.
Are Wet Floor Signs Required By Law in the UK?
As a rule, the wet floor signs are not required by the legislation in the United Kingdom. However, under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, facility owners have a duty of care and safety for each person on the premises. And that indirectly leads to wet floor signs for avoiding any damage to the person.
How Tall is a Wet Floor Sign?
The common height of the wet floor sign must be between 24 and 36 inches, which is approximately 60 cm and 90 cm. It is necessary for clear visibility.
Can You Sue If There Is a Wet Floor Sign?
Yes, you can still sue even if there is a wet floor sign. This can happen if the sign wasn’t clearly visible due to poor placement or bad lighting. Also, if the floor had been wet for a long time without proper action, you may still have a valid claim.
