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Anatomy of an Effective
Warning Sign:
1) The sign should ALERT the user that
there is DANGER.
2) The sign should DESCRIBE the nature of
the danger.
3) The sign should then EXPLAIN the
CONSEQUENCES of non-compliance.
4) The warnings should be in big bold
lettering with simple graphics using specific
color combinations standard for warning
signs.
Warning Sign:
1) The sign should ALERT the user that
there is DANGER.
2) The sign should DESCRIBE the nature of
the danger.
3) The sign should then EXPLAIN the
CONSEQUENCES of non-compliance.
4) The warnings should be in big bold
lettering with simple graphics using specific
color combinations standard for warning
signs.
Lessen Operators Liability:
Diving into swimming pools is a major
cause of serious injury and a common
source of litigation. Numerous studies
have shown that warning signs can
reduce injuries, other studies have
shown that a majority of users fail to
notice any warning signs at all. Even
the most aggressive campaign to stop
diving may not be successful, but by
utilizing well designed, properly placed,
quality signage we can help prevent
catastrophic injury and at the same
time lessen operators liability and in the
event of injury provide defensive
arguments that will assist the operator
in a court of law.
Posting a warning sign ostensibly
places a degree of responsibility on the
swimmer to look after his or her own
safety. If the pool owner has acted
reasonably in warning a swimmer of
the possible perils of the pool, but the
swimmer ignores the warnings: dives
into the pool despite warning signs, the
pool owner will have a good defense to
the injured person’s liability claim.
Diving into swimming pools is a major
cause of serious injury and a common
source of litigation. Numerous studies
have shown that warning signs can
reduce injuries, other studies have
shown that a majority of users fail to
notice any warning signs at all. Even
the most aggressive campaign to stop
diving may not be successful, but by
utilizing well designed, properly placed,
quality signage we can help prevent
catastrophic injury and at the same
time lessen operators liability and in the
event of injury provide defensive
arguments that will assist the operator
in a court of law.
Posting a warning sign ostensibly
places a degree of responsibility on the
swimmer to look after his or her own
safety. If the pool owner has acted
reasonably in warning a swimmer of
the possible perils of the pool, but the
swimmer ignores the warnings: dives
into the pool despite warning signs, the
pool owner will have a good defense to
the injured person’s liability claim.
The Sign Should EXPLAIN the
CONSEQUENCES of
Non-Compliance:
As this diving accident in Australia
demonstrates. A 14-year-old man who was
paralyzed acknowledged seeing a "No
Diving" sign on a bridge, but dove anyway,
He sued: "[The sign] just told me I shouldn’t
dive – it did not put any danger into it."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Bridge-
diving-victim-awarded-
1m/2005/03/18/1111085990684.html
CONSEQUENCES of
Non-Compliance:
As this diving accident in Australia
demonstrates. A 14-year-old man who was
paralyzed acknowledged seeing a "No
Diving" sign on a bridge, but dove anyway,
He sued: "[The sign] just told me I shouldn’t
dive – it did not put any danger into it."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Bridge-
diving-victim-awarded-
1m/2005/03/18/1111085990684.html
Signs have 3 to 5 Seconds to
Convey Their Message:
The common "6" Way signs that meet
minimum code requirements bury this
critical information somewhere between
pool capacity, spa hours and other
information that require extensive reading.
The message is trivialized, diluted and lost.
Convey Their Message:
The common "6" Way signs that meet
minimum code requirements bury this
critical information somewhere between
pool capacity, spa hours and other
information that require extensive reading.
The message is trivialized, diluted and lost.
Quality is Relevant:
Inexpensive, worn, faded plastic signs signal
lack of importance. The user will equate the
quality of the warning with it's significance.
"The Medium is the Message".
Inexpensive, worn, faded plastic signs signal
lack of importance. The user will equate the
quality of the warning with it's significance.
"The Medium is the Message".
The Signs Should be Seen:
It has been shown that a warning is best
perceived through repetition. Place NO
DIVING warning information at three places
around the pool area. On the gate going in,
on fences and on the deck. SEE SIGNS
It has been shown that a warning is best
perceived through repetition. Place NO
DIVING warning information at three places
around the pool area. On the gate going in,
on fences and on the deck. SEE SIGNS
High Quality, 18X24", 080" Gauge Aluminum NO DIVING Sign w/ International NO DIVING SYMBOL and 4" "NO DIVING" Text. |
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Why We Designed This
Sign:
We don't think most people are
aware of the dangers of a head
first water entry or even what
constitutes shallow water. (less
than 10 feet)
We designed this sign to try and
dramatize the dangers, point out
the consequences and to stand
out from the jumble of do this and
don't do that's of the regulatory
signage.
Sign:
We don't think most people are
aware of the dangers of a head
first water entry or even what
constitutes shallow water. (less
than 10 feet)
We designed this sign to try and
dramatize the dangers, point out
the consequences and to stand
out from the jumble of do this and
don't do that's of the regulatory
signage.
| “Fortunately, we had insurance coverage,” said John Miller, the country club’s general manager. You can never have too much signage" Aquatics International |
Australia: City 75% liable
because "No Diving" sign
March 25, 2005
Philip James Dederer acknowledges
seeing a "No Diving" sign on the
Foster/Tuncurry Bridge in New South
Wales, but dove anyway, and the 14-year-
old became paralyzed as a result. He
sued: "[The sign] just told me I
shouldn’t dive – it did not put any
danger into it." The court bought the
argument, and Australian taxpayers are
now on the hook for A$1,050,000.
(Dederer v. Roads and Traffic Authority,
2005 NSWSC 185; "Bridge diving victim
awarded $1m", Sydney Morning Herald,
Mar. 18).
http://www.smh.com.
au/news/National/Bridge-diving-victim-
awarded-1m/2005/03/18/1111085990684.
html
because "No Diving" sign
March 25, 2005
Philip James Dederer acknowledges
seeing a "No Diving" sign on the
Foster/Tuncurry Bridge in New South
Wales, but dove anyway, and the 14-year-
old became paralyzed as a result. He
sued: "[The sign] just told me I
shouldn’t dive – it did not put any
danger into it." The court bought the
argument, and Australian taxpayers are
now on the hook for A$1,050,000.
(Dederer v. Roads and Traffic Authority,
2005 NSWSC 185; "Bridge diving victim
awarded $1m", Sydney Morning Herald,
Mar. 18).
http://www.smh.com.
au/news/National/Bridge-diving-victim-
awarded-1m/2005/03/18/1111085990684.
html
| CHEAP PLASTIC SIGNS SEND CHEAP PLASTIC MESSAGES |
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