AEM Provides Online Pictorial Illustrations Database
September 29, 2006 • AEM has completed phase one of a database of industry recognized pictorial illustrations that manufacturers and others can use when designing equipment safety signs, manuals, and other training materials. The database was created to promote greater consistency and clarity among pictorial images so they are more recognizable by industry workers, thus enhancing safety. The pictorials are offered free of charge to anyone, saving manufacturers and others the time and cost of developing their own graphics.
The pictorial database can be accessed via the association's website and is searchable by categories and keywords. It currently includes almost 100 images that are common to many industry segments and product lines, and covers both hazard identification and hazard avoidance. AEM plans to expand the database with product- and process-specific graphics, and it invites input from database users and others with an interest in safety-related pictorials.
AEM's Technical and Safety Council undertook development of the database at the request of association members. While manufacturers all have a common interest to promote safe equipment operation, the general consensus was that an array of images was being used to convey similar safety hazard identification/avoidance messages. “What we tried to achieve with the initial set-up of this database is to provide common pictorials that safety professionals can use, no matter the type of equipment or even industry,” said Mark Steffen, product safety manager for Caterpillar and chairman of the AEM Safety Sign Pictorial Committee.
AEM formed the pictorial-development committee in 2004. It consists of more than two dozen association member company representatives, who discussed and formulated the plan for the database. Then, all members of AEM's product-oriented groups were solicited to provide pictorials. A task force of several member company safety experts was then formed to review the “hundreds and hundreds of pictorials” the committee collected, Steffen said.
Russ Hutchison, AEM director of Technical and Safety Services, explained that the pictorial database will expand beyond its current size as it adds product-specific images, which may include industries other than those represented by AEM. “We want to get relevant graphics into the hands of as many people as possible to promote consistency of pictorials,” he said. “Widespread use can only benefit us all.”
AEM stresses that the goal of the pictorials project is to develop greater consistency; it is not to establish standards or regulations. Also, just as AEM relies on experts to screen submissions, the association notes that it is equally important for safety message designers who use the pictorial database to have a solid background in equipment safety. Although the pictorials are editable, AEM encourages designers to use them as much as possible “as is” to present a consistent look, thus aiding in understanding. Designers are also advised to consult all applicable laws, regulations, and standards to assure proper compliance.
