OSHA compliance matters for every facility manager, and photoluminescent emergency signs play a crucial role in keeping your workplace safe. These glow-in-the-dark signs guide people during emergencies when normal lighting fails. Regular audits help you stay compliant while protecting your team.
Here are six practical tips to audit your facility’s photoluminescent emergency signs effectively.
Check Sign Visibility
Visibility forms the foundation of effective safety signage. Walk through your facility during normal operations and examine each photoluminescent sign. Can you read them clearly from a reasonable distance? Test this under regular lighting conditions first, then simulate emergency scenarios.
Turn off the lights in different areas and observe how well the signs illuminate. They should remain clearly visible for at least 90 minutes after losing their light source. Signs that appear dim or hard to read need immediate attention or replacement.
Verify Proper Placement
Location determines whether your signs actually help during emergencies. Safety signs must be positioned where people can see them when they need guidance most. Check that exit signs appear above doorways and along escape routes at proper heights.
Look for these placement requirements:
- Signs mounted between 6 to 8 feet from the floor
- Clear sight lines without obstructions
- Strategic positioning at corridor intersections
- Adequate spacing along long hallways
Remove any obstacles that block sign visibility, such as equipment, decorations, or temporary storage items.
Assess Photoluminescent Brightness
Brightness levels must meet specific OSHA standards to ensure effectiveness during power outages. Use a luminance meter to measure how well your signs glow after losing their charging light source. OSHA requires signs to maintain minimum luminance levels for prescribed time periods.
Charge each sign under normal lighting for at least one hour, then measure its brightness in darkness. Document these readings and compare them against OSHA requirements. Signs that fall below minimum standards need replacement to maintain compliance.
Inspect Photoluminescent Emergency Sign Condition
Physical damage compromises sign effectiveness and compliance status. Examine each photoluminescent emergency sign for cracks, scratches, fading, or other deterioration. Even minor damage can reduce light absorption and output capabilities.
Pay special attention to signs in high-traffic areas where people might bump or scrape them. Also check signs exposed to harsh conditions like moisture, heat, or chemicals. Replace damaged signs immediately rather than waiting for your next scheduled audit.
Review Compliance Documentation
Proper record-keeping demonstrates your commitment to safety compliance during OSHA inspections. Create a tracking system that documents when you inspect each sign, what condition you found it in, and what actions you took.
Your documentation should include:
- Inspection dates and findings
- Luminance measurements and test results
- Maintenance activities and repairs
- Sign replacement dates and specifications
Store these records in an organized system that makes them easy to access during compliance reviews or inspections.
Train Employees on Signage
Your team needs to understand what different safety signs mean and where to find them. Conduct regular training sessions that familiarize employees with your facility’s photoluminescent signage system. Show them how these signs work during power failures and emergency evacuations.
Include signage information in new employee orientation programs. Make sure everyone knows the difference between exit signs, directional arrows, and other safety indicators. Well-informed employees can respond faster during actual emergencies.