Fairly often I find faded signs, posters and other written instructions during campus safety, security, climate and emergency preparedness assessments. These can range from faded lettering on signs, to faded parking on curbs and pavement to indicate fire lanes and many safety related instructions in between.  

Faded signage can result in safety incidents and can become problematic during school safety litigation. An astute expert witness specializing in campus safety will typically note such situations when they are relevant to a civil case. Faded signage can also become an issue in criminal cases. For example signage stipulating that vehicles entering campus property are subject to search by campus officials and law enforcement officers needs to be legible if a search is conducted based on this type of signage.

Perhaps most importantly, faded safety instructions increase the chances that a safety incident will occur in the first place. On a more basic level, even when no safety incident occurs as a result of faded signage, faded safety signage conveys a message of apathy, lack of concern for the safety of students, staff and visitors and perhaps a lackluster campus image in general. If you cannot read what a sign relating to safety says, it may cause your organization problems of some sort. 

Taking the time to identify and correct faded safety signage can avert tragic situations.

Related Articles:

• Appropriate Signage Works Wonders
• What the Writing on the Wall Can Tell You

Photo courtesy Safe Havens International

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