Understanding Wet Floor Signs: DFS Best Practices for Safety and Visibility
Introduction
In busy environments like airports, universities, and other public spaces, safety cannot be left to chance. Wet floor signs are among the simplest tools a facility team can use, but if used incorrectly, they can lose their effectiveness or even create new hazards.
At Diverse Facility Solutions (DFS), safety is not just a rule—it is an integral part of our operational strategy. Our goal is simple: stay aware, follow best practices, and keep your premises organized and injury-free. This commitment helps protect your guests, employees, and organizational liability.
The Safety Strategy: Why Proper Placement Matters
For facility managers, proper signage placement is critical to effective risk management. A sign placed too close to the hazard, facing the wrong direction, or blocking a walkway can actually create additional risks.
The purpose of a wet floor sign is to provide a clear warning. DFS teams are trained to treat signs as part of a traffic-flow strategy, ensuring people see the warning early, move safely, and navigate crowded or fast-moving areas with confidence.
Understanding the Tools: Our Three Sign Types
DFS trains teams to use the right tool for each situation. Matching the sign type to the environment ensures maximum visibility and rapid deployment.
| Sign Type | Key Features | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Folding Signs | Standard A-frame design; most commonly used | Best for smaller, expected hazards such as around water fountains, restrooms, and contained spills in walkways |
| Cone-Style Signs | Taller, robust, and visible from all sides | Ideal for large open walkways, building entrances, and transition points such as the top and bottom of escalators or moving walkways |
| Pop-Up Signs | Stores flat and opens instantly | Perfect for rapid deployment during unexpected spills in high-traffic areas such as gate hold rooms or terminal walkways |
Best Practices: The DFS Standard
DFS teams follow strict guidelines to ensure each sign is used effectively:
-
Place Signs Before the Wet Area: Position the sign where people can see it early and react safely. It marks the start of the warning zone, not the hazard itself.
-
Select the Right Sign for the Situation: Choose the sign type based on the area, traffic flow, and urgency. Cone-style signs work well in busy open spaces, pop-up signs are ideal for quick deployment during unexpected hazards, and folding signs are perfect for smaller, routine spills.
-
Ensure Visibility: Keep signs in clear view at all times. Avoid hiding them behind equipment, carts, or corners. In long or open areas, use multiple signs so the hazard is visible from every direction.
-
Maintain Sign Integrity: Keep signs upright and stable. Replace damaged, faded, or dirty signs to maintain safety and a professional appearance.
The Most Critical Rule: Avoiding Sign Fatigue
The single most important safety rule, and one often overlooked, is the timely removal of wet floor signs. Leaving signs out after the floor is dry can create tripping hazards and leads to sign fatigue. When signs are used unnecessarily, people may stop paying attention, and a real hazard may be ignored when it occurs.
The DFS Protocol: Wet floor signs should only be used when there is an active hazard. Once the area is verified as clean and safe, the sign should be removed immediately and returned to its proper storage location.
Conclusion
A successful safety program relies on consistent training and a deep understanding of facility dynamics. DFS’s commitment to proper wet floor signage, from selecting the right tool to strict adherence to placement and removal protocols, helps mitigate risk and ensures a safer environment for your business, employees, and visitors.