'Clear safety signs and signage increasingly important'

Labor migration accelerates the need

With the increase in the number of non-Dutch-speaking employees in the logistics sector, clear safety signs and symbolic signage are becoming increasingly important. The use of universal signs ensures that even foreign employees can leave the premises safely and quickly in an orderly manner in the event of an emergency. And clear signage ensures that they do not have to search unnecessarily for the right aisle, for example. What is often forgotten, however, is good visibility.

"I regularly experience that the fire department approves the building the moment it is vacant. Then high warehouse racks are installed and many signs are no longer visible," says Leon Somers, owner of PICTO Specialist. "Because we provide custom work, we can deviate from the standard sizes and solve this, for example, by making extra large signs."

Custom

Somers always had a keen interest in safety signage and decided to specialize in it. Unlike many other suppliers, PICTO-Specialist is completely focused on safety pictograms, evacuation plans, traffic plans, signage and lineation. In addition, PICTO-Specialist offers a broad pallet of possibilities, as it can fully customize its signs. Somers: "Unique, for example, is that all our outdoor signs are reflective. In addition, the quality is high, so they have a very long life span. And if desired, a company logo can be placed on each sign."

Visibility

"We take stock, advise and then create an overall plan, covering all issues. All according to current legislation and guidelines. Our safety pictograms are ISO 7010-certified, the international standard for graphic hazard symbols. Through our years of experience, we take into account issues that are still sometimes overlooked. Such as the visibility of signs in the dark. For example, we are one of the few suppliers with afterglow signs. When the power goes out, these still light after for a long time so that escape routes and the like remain clearly visible."

Office spaces

In a warehouse, the most important thing is that the signs are conspicuous, easy to read and large enough. Whether it looks nice is often of less importance. For office spaces, this is not the case: "Let's face it, signs can sometimes be a bit 'garish'. Therefore, for offices we provide pictogram signs with a fancier look that blend nicely into the interior. Or we recommend hiding the fire hose in a cabinet and using a sign to indicate its location. Safety does not necessarily have to be ugly," laughs Somers.

Unburdening

The PICTO Specialist can completely unburden its clients. Besides the delivery, they can take care of the complete assembly. Equipped with the necessary certificates, including the VCA+ and AWP certificate, the fitters can also install signs in technical areas and at height.

The PICTO Specialist has already been allowed to perform its services for wonderful clients. For example, she realized the complete safety plan for the warehouses and offices of BTS Logistics. "In their premises, we installed all pictograms related to fire and evacuation. The escape routes leading to the assembly areas are now clearly visible." For Buhlmann Netherlands, the PICTO Specialist was even allowed to create a complete traffic plan. She also supplied PPE signs, door signs, evacuation plans and signage, all with the company logo. Buhlmann is now rolling this out at its other sites as well. "So we're not just looking at the buildings, but at the safety aspects of the entire site," she says.

In the context of the complete unburdening, the PICTO specialist in some cases seeks cooperation with partners. "With regard to lining, scaffolding coding and collision protection, for example, we regularly use the services of Signing Group Nederland. Our objective is always to achieve a completely safe and efficient working environment.