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The number one priority for most companies is to have a safe operating environment, or at least should be. For manufacturing companies – one way to make their warehouse safer is by creating a safe visual space. As long as people know where the safe zones are and wear the right PPE – in the main they are kept safe. Trouble usually happens when there is confusion or people don’t follow the rules.
At Clarity, we pride ourselves in creating safe and visual factories, we understand the challenges of keeping your people safe. A large proportion of our customers in the UK are manufacturers, They use signage and waymarking in their warehouses and are always on the lookout for ways to make them safer.
Factories and warehouses across the UK often have an array of signs across their site however most signs get ignored after about 3 days due to a phenomenon known as 'sign blindness'.
What is sign blindness?
Sign Blindness is an involuntary human propensity to disregard or neglect crucial safety signs due to excessive familiarity or diversion. In simpler terms, our awareness of these vital safety precautions diminishes over time, as the novelty and effect of things we are repeatedly exposed to fade away.
That’s why our customers often ask us about projected signage and floor markings, Unlike traditional signs, a Floor Sign Projector is able to capture the attention of pedestrians for the following reasons:
- Can be Projected onto floors and walls
- Can be interactive so pedestrians are alerted in real time rather than a static sign
- Can be most effective in low light warehouses
Projected floor signs do not work well for every warehouse, in this article we'll discuss why, and what to look out for if you are considering projected floor signs for your facility.
Do LED floor sign projectors work in busy warehouses?
As referred to above – factories with the right signage and waymarking make it safer for operators and visitors, So can Floor sign projectors make your warehouse or factory safer?
The short answer is yes, an LED projected floor sign will make a factory safer but there is a caveat, The conditions for the projected floor sign need to be right for it to be effective. Let's explain why:
To use an example, You have an FLT crossing where pedestrians have to cross, and you want to project a zebra crossing which switches to a stop sign when an FLT is detected as per the example below.
The crossing you have installed is 4X 25W projectors for the zebra and 2X 50W projectors for the stop signs.
At the time of measuring, the Lux level in the factory is 150LUX and projectors are able to project a lux of around 500 making a very bright and impactful. The crossing is a great success and you have made the crossing infinitely more safe.
But there's a problem, The crossing worked well when it was installed, but now it is summer, you've had the roof lights cleaned and the Lux level in your factory is now 600 – the zebra crossing cannot be seen – never mind the stop signs.
The real problem here is that the projector system has been under- specified. If the projector system had been specified to work in an environment to compensate for summer/winter lighting differential there would have been no problem.
When choosing a projector supplier, make sure they have the experience of looking at working in factories with roof lights.
Can an LED floor sign projector improve safety?
The short answer is yes, an LED floor sign projector can significantly improve safety by providing clear, highly visible signage directly on the ground where other painted solutions may wear out. This innovative approach to signage helps minimise accidents and promotes a safer working environment.
It is however essential to carefully select the right projector for your environment. Not all projectors are suited to areas where lighting conditions fluctuate dramatically, such as spaces with natural daylight or outdoor settings. Sudden changes in light levels can affect the visibility of the projected image, reducing its effectiveness.
Testing the projector in its intended location before installation can help identify potential issues and ensure the safety message remains clear and visible at all times.
