Can signage and print materials help influence a safety culture shift?

Yes, but it must be used as a part of a larger, multi-prong campaign.

Signage alone is insufficient, even effective signage.

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Effective signage is both a science and an art. Good intentions are neither.

Assuming that simply putting up a sign, or printing some words on napkins, little cards, or  screens somewhere will educate the public is wishful thinking. Working with a professional is intelligent thinking. You'll get more bang for your buck, and more importantly, you'll start to engage your intended audience in ways that lead to loyalty.

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Here are a few fundamental requirements for signage to be useful.​​

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Effective Signage requires

 

• Context (relevant to location and intent of message), i.e. place the sign close to the location of the action/awareness desired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Familiar content, elements, i.e. words and images that are widely understood

• Invitation to Action

• Locational relevance, i.e. distance, distractions, and/or motion doesn’t compete with ease of uptake, e.g. whether the viewer is moving, or the sign is moving, the ease of uptake and recall decreases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Eye appeal, i.e. something that appears inviting or exciting  

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• Digestible/legible content to size ratio, i.e. easily read at the intended viewing distance

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• Intelligent consideration of the intended audience, i.e. appropriate to age, interest(s), and end user(s)

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Effective Hand Out Cards require

 

• Correct content to size ratio, i.e. small card = small message

• Communication between source and recipient, i.e. given with a personal contact/connection/conversation between the giver and the receiver

• Interactive element, i.e. an invitation to do something

Handing out little cards with the Responsibility Code printed on it is a good intention packaged in an ineffective container

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Effective Outcomes require
Commitment and behavior change is a long game.
“Without involvement, there is no commitment. Mark it down, asterisk it, circle it, underline it. No involvement, no commitment.” (Stephen Covey)
 

• Effective Signage (see above) and diverse messaging
• Effective social media plans, especially during the active season
• Committed, consistent, continuous communication from PSIA-AASI
• Committed, consistent, continuous communication from NSP
• Committed, consistent, continuous communication from NSAA
• Committed, consistent, continuous communication from _______________
• Committed, consistent, continuous communication from resorts
• Effective, consistent, continuous communication from “enthusiast clubs”
• Effective, consistent support from hard goods manufacturers
• Effective, consistent support from snowsports influencers

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Not everything is needed to start! Start where it can be done and expand the reach and involvement with time.

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Are you ready to explore what can be done at your location to improve the general public's understanding of, and aligned behavior with, the Responsibility Code?

Let's talk. I'm all ears. 

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Nathan Y Jarvis

Effective Signage Advocate and Responsibility Code Evangelist

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