Pictorial symbols in signs often accompany the instructions and warnings associated with various signs, labels, markings or instruction manuals. Well-designed pictorials can quickly communicate instructions, warnings, and other information to individuals from varied social and educational backgrounds.
However, poorly designed symbols may produce dangerous comprehension errors.
To reduce errors, symbols must be designed and tested, sometimes iteratively, so that satisfactory comprehension levels are reached.
Oral and Written Symbol Comprehension Testing: The Benefit of Cognitive Interview Probing. - Kimberly Brantley
HISTORY: Use of signs or markings to advise or guide people dates to earliest recorded history. In modern times, the need for a quick and effective communications system resulted in the evolution of traffic control signs and markings. Using basic shapes, colors and simple messages (words and pictorials) they help efficiently and safely move vehicular traffic over billions upon billions of miles each year, all around the world.
The Sign Maze - Approaches to the Development of Signs, Labels, Markings and Instruction Manuals. - Thomas F. Bresnahn, Donald C Lhotka, Harry Winchell
With increasing attention to multiculturalism and worldwide trade, pictorial symbols are increasingly being used to convey important messages. Well-designed symbols have the ability to communicate large amounts of information at a glance. They can also be useful in conveying information to persons who cannot read a printed verbal message, either because they have vision problems (e.g., older adults), lower-level verbal skills, or inadequate knowledge of the language being used in the warning. Clear communication is particularly
• The Sign Maze - Approaches to the Development of Signs, Labels, Markings and Instruction Manuals. - Thomas F. Bresnahn, Donald C Lhotka, Harry Winchell
• Comprehension of Pictorial Symbols: Effects of Context and Test Method - Jennifer Snow Wolff, Georgia Institute of Technology, Michael S. Wogalter, North Carolina State University
• New OSHA/ANSI Safety Sign Systems for today’s workplaces - a clarion implementationguide
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) current standards:- https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/NEMA/ANSINEMAZ535SET
to injury. Given pictorial symbols’ potentially important role in communicating hazards, the idea of standradization signs were first discussed in the United States in early 19th century. Proper work on standradization began in 1935 and culminated in 1941 when the initial standard (Z35.1-1941) was published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It replaced the “DANGER” and arrow signs that were in use to point to hazards in workplaces since 1914.
Standard Proportions for Danger Signs
USAS Z35.1-1968 (Revision of Z35.1-1959)
Approved September 18, 1968
• The Sign Maze - Approaches to the Development of Signs, Labels, Markings and Instruction Manuals. - Thomas F. Bresnahn, Donald C Lhotka, Harry Winchell
• Comprehension of Pictorial Symbols: Effects of Context and Test Method - Jennifer Snow Wolff, Georgia Institute of Technology, Michael S. Wogalter, North Carolina State University
• New OSHA/ANSI Safety Sign Systems for today’s workplaces - a clarion implementation guide by Clarion Safety Systems.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) current standards:- https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/NEMA/ANSINEMAZ535SET
critical when a pictorial symbol conveys safetyrelated information, as the lack of understanding or misinterpretation could lead
• Image courtesy : www.sustainablefriends.com
ANSI standards later added the option to include symbols and content on the consequence of interaction with the hazard and how to avoid the hazard. Finally in 2013, US government (OSHA) integrated the ANSI standards into their regulations. This further confirms the fact that how important and serious it is to design these signs.
• Using Pictograms is not limited to a few fields; they are also being used in print and digital forms across many industries.
OSHA/ANSI standard example: using a color-coded signal word panel with the safety alert symbol and the signal word DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION to indicate the hazard’s risk severity level.
Is physical injury a credible possibility?
Is death or serious injury a credible possibility?
If the hazardous situation occurs, how likely is death or serious injury?
Almost Certain
No No Possible
Does long, instructional information need to be presented?
Yes
The government of Sri Lanka has also standardized the signs in various categories by law.
The Gazette “No. 1975/44 - WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016” of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka standradized the Power Sector related warning signs.
The Gazette “No. 1940/21 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015” of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka standradized the Motor Traffic related road signs.
The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (“No. 1975/44 - WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016” & “No. 1940/21 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015”
Three topics were selectd out of the list of topics specified in the assignment: Wash your hands frequently
During the Coronavirus pandemic it was heavily encouraged to wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 germs.
Eventhough the pandemic is now under control, washing hands are still important to prevent the spread of respitory and diarrheal infections.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing hands often helps people stay healthy. They have published a list of key times when people are more likely to get and spread germs.
• Before, during, and after preparing food as well as before and after eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• After using the toilet
• When and How to Wash Your Hand:- https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste as well as after handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage
It is always encouraged to use soap with running water to wash hands and to use Sanitizer when soap and water is not readily available.
Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However, Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs. Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. They might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.
• When and How to Wash Your Hand:- https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
Standards
Comprehensive
Pictorial
Properties
Workplaces
Scalability
Schools
Locations
Toilets
Public Places
Public Transport
Santizer
Washing
Hands
Audience
Methods
Water & Soap
Libraries
Senior Citizens
Children
Young Adults
Concepts for developing a pictorial symbol on washing hands.
First aid room
‘First aid room’ is the second selected topic to develop a pictorial sign for.
What is a 'First aid room' ? A First Aid room is a room prepared for the exclusive use of first aid or medical purposes, containing essential first aid supplies and equipment.
The word 'First aid' means immediate, necessary, temporary care given in case of accident or sudden illness before adequate medical care can be secured. It does not include continued treatment or follow-up treatment of any injury or illness.
In the United States, it's required by Occupation, Health, and Safety regulations to have a first aid room with trained first aid workers for the factories and mercantile establishments that matches the specified criteria.
• Occupational health and safety legislation (Revised 1970) - U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service
• First aid room definition - https://www.safetyfirstaid.co.uk/does-my-workplace-need-a-first-aid-room/
• Does my workplace need a First Aid Room? https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/first-aid-room
Standards
Corporate Office Buldings
Comprehensive Pictorial
Properties
Simplicity
Locations
Schools/Universities
Public Places
Factories
Hurry
Fear
Viewer’s State of Mind
First Aid Room
Labourers
Audience
Senior Citizens
Children
Distress
Pain
Young Adults
Concepts for developing a pictorial symbol for a firstaid room
Emergency telephone for first aid
Worlds first emergency number system was established in London on 1937 using the number 999. It was later changed to 911 in 1972. These emergency numbers are usually tool free direct dial numbers.
At present most countries have dedicated numbers to call for urgent healthcare needs, though most people are still defaulting to call 911, resulting in overloading the operaters and the general emergency lines.
As an example, the UK has the direct dial number 999 for life threatning medical emergencies, but the data on distribution of calls to 911 indicated that 41% of the calls recieved were requesting ambulance services for medical emergencies.
Depending on the situation, trained operators of 911 may guide the caller on performing life saving procedures but the callers can get much better
• Who You Gonna Call? 999, 111, 112 Or 101? - https://www.immediatecaremedical.co.uk/gonna-call-999-111-112-101-2/
• 999 (emergency telephone number) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/999_(emergency_telephone_number)
• First Aid Emergency Procedure https://www.oh.admin.cam.ac.uk/services/first-aid-emergency-procedure
expert assistance on medical emergencies, if they call the medical emergency line. United Kingdom also has another number 111 to assist with non life-threatning situations.
This is why it’s important to raise the awareness on the medical emergency lines. Promoting the use of correct emergency lines also helps saving resources.
That is why ‘Emergency telephone for first aid’ has become the third topic of developing a pictorial sign.
Photo courtesy of immediatecaremedical.co.ukcomprehensive pictorial
Simplicity
telephone cross circles
scalability svg for web
properties
smart devices
tv/radio
apps
print, electronic news media
Online media
flyers pamphlets brochures
social media
Locations
web portals
web ad campaigns
Outdoor Advertising
Fear
panik
Emergency telephone for first aid
viewer’s state of mind
Pain
Distress
Digital Screens, Hoardings, posters .etc
workers foreigners
Audience
senior citizens
children
intellectually disabled people
young adults
Concepts for developing a pictorial symbol for emergency telephone
Photo courtesy of www.1990.lk
