Nicole Johnson

A focused signage audit uncovers risks, closes gaps, and prepares your facility.  

As facilities wind down annual operations, it’s easy for visual communication to fade into the background.  One of the simplest ways to reinforce safety before the new year is to look at the visual systems that hold it together. 

Signs and labels are the most consistent form of communication in any facility. When they fade, peel, or fall out of compliance, they can weaken even the strongest safety programs. A year-end signage audit helps identify those issues early, ensuring your visuals support both operations and compliance heading into the new year. 

When Clarity and Compliance Start to Fade  

Visibility is the first measure of a sign’s effectiveness. Over time, sunlight, cleaning solvents, and heavy wear can dull color contrast or erase critical details. A forklift lane with washed-out arrows or a chemical cabinet missing a hazard symbol may seem minor until someone gets hurt. Regular visual checks reveal how quickly clarity disappears, and how easily risk creeps in. 

 
But clarity isn’t just about appearance. It’s also about adherence. Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) 1910.145 defines workplace color codes and placement standards, while American National Institute (ANSI) Z535 series adds structure for signal words and hazard classifications. Facilities handling chemicals must also follow Globally Harmonized System (GHS) labeling standards.   

When signage loses visibility, compliance fades with it. An annual signage audit keeps those requirements visible, functional, and verifiable. 

Clarity and Consistency Keep Facilities Runing Safely 

Effective signage does more than satisfy regulations—it directs action. Sharp, consistent visuals reinforce training, build habits, and reduce hesitation. A legible “Hearing Protection Required” notice or bold “Outbound” floor marking reduces hesitation, guiding movement and reinforcing training long after onboarding ends. By contrast, unclear or outdated signage slows decision-making and introduces uncertainty.   

 
Maintaining consistency takes more than a visual sweep.  A structured audit helps facilities identify weaknesses and build trust through transparency. A solid audit typically includes: 

• Mapping critical zones: Identify signage for electrical panels, chemical storage, machinery, and emergency exits. 

• Documenting condition and placement: Record signs that are damaged, obscured, or installed incorrectly. 

• Verifying compliance: Compare each sign against OSHA, ANSI, and GHS standards for accuracy and visibility. 

• Capturing photos and notes: Create a clear record of deficiencies and strengths. 

• Prioritizing updates: Rank issues by severity and exposure risk to determine where to start. 

A standardized process like this makes signage audits repeatable and transparent. This is an essential part of any long-term safety strategy. 

Why Year-End Is the Right Time to Reassess 

The final months of the year are when most organizations review budgets, schedule preventive maintenance, and prepare for operational changes.  Incorporating a signage audit into that routine keeps visual communication from falling behind. This timing also allows teams to plan material replacements before winter conditions or first-quarter workloads limit access to key areas.  

Across industries, the risks are similar.  A “Lockout/Tagout Required” label dulled by heat in a manufacturing plant poses the same hazard as a missing “Caution—Wet Floor” notice in a healthcare hallway. Whether it’s construction, logistics, or energy, the risk is universal: when messages fade, awareness fades with them. In every environment, clear signage supports awareness, and awareness supports safety. Reviewing signage now helps ensure both remain strong going into the next cycle. 

Visual Safety Starts and Ends With People  

 At its core, a signage audit is ultimately about ownership.  

Behind every audit is the workforce it protects. Involving employees in signage reviews reinforces that safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just a management requirement. Updating or replacing a damaged label might seem minor, but it shows workers that their well-being remains a priority. 

When teams see visible proof that safety messages are maintained, trust builds naturally. That consistency strengthens culture, reinforces accountability, and keeps communication open. A well-run signage audit isn’t simply about compliance, but a commitment. Entering the new year with refreshed, reliable signage sends the clear message that safety is not a season, but a standard.