Join us for ScreenCloud Studio Live, your weekly interactive training session where you’re in the driver’s seat. It’s your opportunity to ask the questions that matter to you and explore any feature, tool, or app in real time.

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to extend Microsoft content to digital screens, use Teams Rooms for signage, and measure engagement through ScreenCloud’s Metrics tab to create real workplace visibility. It’s all about maximizing your Microsoft stack to connect every employee, everywhere.

The Connected Workplace: How IT and Comms Use Microsoft Apps to Drive Workplace Visibility

Find out more about digital signage and health, safety and compliance questions. Get news, trends, tips and inspiration with ScreenCloud.

According to the National Safety Council, workplace injuries cost $176.5 billion in 2023 alone, including losses from productivity slumps, medical, and administrative expenses. 

This is why Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements exist. They keep workers safe. They are also mandatory, and failing to meet them can lead to costly fines or even shutdowns.

Part of these requirements is that every business, from warehouses to manufacturing plants, need to have clear, visible, and consistent safety communication. Posters and bulletin boards have been used in the past, but these don’t provide a complete solution. They often go unnoticed and can quickly become out of date.

Digital signage solves that. By displaying OSHA safety reminders, training information, and emergency alerts on screens around your facility, you can keep your team informed and your workplace compliant.

Here’s how screens can help you meet OSHA requirements and build a safer, more connected workplace.

Understanding OSHA requirements and why they matter

OSHA’s standards are designed to keep workers safe while they work, covering everything from hazard communication to emergency planning, recordkeeping, and even employee training. 

Here’s what OSHA expects employers to provide in a nutshell:

Safe working conditions: Identify and control potential hazards.

Training and education: Teach employees how to stay safe on the job.

Clear communication: Make safety rules, hazards, and emergency information visible to everyone.

Recordkeeping: Document injuries, incidents, and inspections.

Emergency preparedness: Have clear plans and instructions for fires, spills, or severe weather.

Visit OSHA’s compliance assistance page to learn more about the responsibilities that apply to your specific workplace.

How effective are OSHA requirements at reducing injuries?

Independent studies found on the Department of Labor website show that OSHA has reduced workplace accidents by a wide margin. In 2012, Haviland et al. found that OSHA inspections with penalties were associated with a 19 to 24% decline in workplace injuries, and Gray and Mendeloff found in 2005 that mere notifications of inspections reduced accidents by 14%.

Meeting OSHA requirements can be challenging, especially for businesses that operate across multiple sites or shifts. That’s where digital signage can help. Screens make it easier to communicate emergency safety information, share training materials, and keep all employees aligned with OSHA standards. All without the constant need to print posters or paste new updates on bulletin boards.

How to use digital signage to meet OSHA requirements

Digital screens can be rapidly updated from anywhere making them the perfect tool for communicating emergency and hazard notifications, and even employee-centric messaging like training, and even company updates. 

Let’s quickly look at how you can use your screens to support each key OSHA requirement area.

1. Hazard communication and signage (29 CFR 1910.1200)

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard requires that all workplace hazards be clearly identified and accessible to employees. 

You can use your screens to display rotating messages that highlight specific risks, PPE reminders, and safety data sheet (SDS) summaries in real time.

In day to day operations, that could mean using your manufacturing digital signage to display “Hard hats must be work” reminders where necessary, or automatically updating chemical handling procedures based on the day’s schedule. 

Employee training is one of OSHA’s most critical requirements, and it’s spread across several key sections, including 29 CFR 1910.9 and 29 CFR 1910.38(e).

Digital signage supports this by reinforcing lessons beyond any seminar or workshop.

Display upcoming training sessions or certifications.

Play short video clips covering safe work practices.

Share “Safety Tip of the Week” reminders or quiz results.

Reinforce key training messages at shift changes.

This constant visibility helps employees retain what they’ve learned, improving overall compliance and safety awareness.

Read more about using digital signage for employee training.

3. Emergency action plans (29 CFR 1910.38)

In emergencies, every second counts and screens can help reduce response times. Part of the emergency action plans requirement is that all workplaces have clear emergency procedures and ensure all employees know what to do in case of fire, chemical spill, or severe weather.

Emergency alerts digital signage offers an easy-win solution here. When there’s an emergency, you can easily publish content to all your connected screens, no matter their location, and display warnings for fires, chemical spills, or severe weather.

ScreenCloud also integrates with the following alert systems:

Once connected, alerts from these platforms can be set-up to automatically display on your screens.

Read more: How to set up digital signage for emergency alerts with digital signage

4. Exit routes and fire protection (29 CFR 1910 Subpart E & L)

Our customers already use digital signage for wayfinding in a wide range of industries, from retail to education. But you can use your screens to comply with section 29 CFR 1910 Subparts E & L by displaying hard-to-miss exit routes. 

Highlight nearest exits, extinguisher locations, and blocked routes.

Use motion graphics or simple animations to make directions stand out.

Update routes if/when an area is closed or under maintenance.

5. Personal protective equipment (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I)

Employees are required to know which PPE is necessary, and the scenarios to use them. You can achieve that with the same screens mounted on your manufacturing floors.

Display visuals of required PPE (e.g., hard hats, gloves, goggles) for each area.

Rotate reminders based on shift or location.

Combine with checklists or QR codes linking to training resources.

To protect workers from hazardous energy, employers must follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures during maintenance. This means clearly displaying LOTO reminders and step-by-step procedures near equipment, and, highlighting authorized personnel or maintenance windows.

Part of requirement 29 CFR 1910.147 is also automatically switching messages when a system is locked out or reactivated. 

All these can be achieved with digital screens integrated with your manufacturing systems, or manually updated when required. 

You can use screens to visualize data that OSHA requires employers to track, like injury rates, incident reports, or audit scores.

Displaying metrics like “Days since last incident” or real-time safety dashboards helps employees see progress and stay motivated to maintain compliance. It also demonstrates to inspectors that safety information is being actively monitored and communicated.

See how easy OSHA compliance can be with ScreenCloud

With ScreenCloud, you can display safety information, training content, and emergency alerts across every screen, without needing any technical experience. That makes it so much easier to meet your workplace’s OSHA requirements, while also actively contributing towards your employees’ wellbeing.

Initial set up takes minutes, and you can run all your content from one simple dashboard, updating all your screens within seconds. 

Book a demo or start your free trial today and find out just how simple OSHA compliance can be with ScreenCloud.

See how ScreenCloud helps you meet OSHA safety standards using digital signage. Share real-time safety updates, training, and emergency alerts across every screen.

How to Meet OSHA Requirements Easily with ScreenCloud

How to Meet OSHA Requirements with Digital Signage

When an emergency happens, rapid and clear communication can save lives. Whether it is a fire, medical incident, severe weather, or a security threat, the ability to quickly and clearly share information with the right people is what turns a plan into action. Emergency communication systems are the tools that make this possible.

While there are different types of emergency communication systems, the common theme is that they need to respond quickly to emergency situations, communicate effectively with their audience, and use readily available equipment - or be installed easily. 

Whether it's in schools, hospitals, workplaces, transport hubs or even during public events, we're going to check out the types of emergency notification systems, and how digital signage is becoming one of the most effective solutions for emergency messaging.

What is an Emergency Communication System?

An emergency communication system is a coordinated set of tools that allows organizations to warn, inform, and guide people during critical incidents. Their core purpose is to provide clear, timely and reliable information that helps people respond quickly and appropriately.

Traditional systems such as fire alarms and PA systems remain essential, but newer technologies like mobile alerts, mass notification platforms, and digital signage have expanded the options available. The most effective emergency strategies layer multiple systems so that information reaches people in more than one way.

In addition to this, effective responses to emergencies also thrive on awareness and a degree of training. While a clear siren might be a good way to alert people to an emerging threat, you also need the processes in place to make sure that people respond promptly and effectively to those alerts. In short, this means regular drills and training based on the use of these emergency communications. 

There are several categories of emergency communication systems, each designed to work in specific contexts.

These are the most familiar methods for many - using speakers or intercoms to broadcast audio messages across a building or campus. The benefits are that they are fast and can reach everyone within earshot. But in noisy or chaotic environments, spoken announcements may be missed and additional formats to communicate might be needed.

These use SMS, email, or push notifications to alert people on their personal devices. They are effective for reaching large groups instantly, including those not physically present, but they rely on mobile coverage and people checking their phones.

An example of this is the UK Government's Emergency Alert System which is designed to broadcast regional or nationwide alerts in the event of extreme weather or in case of disaster. Or in certain regions, tsunami alerts can be sent to all cellphones within certain regions in the event of seismic activity.  

Traditionally these were static boards with evacuation maps or printed notices about muster points and first aiders. Today, digital signage is a more dynamic version of these boards, allowing real-time emergency alerts, situational updates and integration with wider communication systems.

These are seen often in workplaces such as factories or other industrial settings, but are increasingly being adopted by public spaces such as schools and hospitals, airports and transport hubs.

Audible alarms remain the fastest way to trigger awareness. Fire alarms, sirens, and flashing lights immediately indicate danger. However, alarms usually provide no detail on the nature of the emergency or the next steps meaning they're less well suited to public safety communications. 

These include radios, intercom phones, and emergency call boxes. They are useful for coordination between staff, first responders, or security teams. But their limitation is scale, as they do not reach the wider public directly.

Many organizations now use apps to send targeted alerts or safety instructions. These are customizable, often location-based, and can be tested in advance. Like mass notifications, they depend on mobile access and may not be noticed during high-stress moments. But when it comes to disaster management, they can be a powerful tool in the kit, and can be integrated with other systems.

Each of these systems has strengths and weaknesses. But of course, the most resilient emergency communication strategies combine several, ensuring redundancy and flexibility.

Different environments present different challenges, and different types of local threat. What works in one location, or with a specific demographic, might need a different approach elsewhere.

In some cases, the actual systems remain the same, but there needs to be training to coordinate responses in the event of an incident. Lets look at how these locations might vary...

Educational settings face threats ranging from severe weather to intruder situations. Communication must reach students, teachers, and visitors, often across multiple buildings. 

PA systems remain common, but schools are increasingly using digital signage to show lockdown instructions or evacuation routes. 

Mobile alerts are used for parents and staff, while static posters and drills help reinforce procedures. 

The key challenge in schools is speed, particularly during high-pressure situations like lockdowns, where seconds matter.

Read more: Improving school safety with digital signage.

In hospitals, communication systems must support both patient safety and staff coordination. Code alerts are often delivered via PA systems and overhead paging, while staff may receive simultaneous mobile notifications. 

Digital signage in lobbies and waiting rooms can inform visitors of exits or restricted areas. 

Accessibility is particularly important, as patients or visitors may not understand spoken instructions or may have hearing impairments. In this instance, visual signage ensures information is universally understood.

Workplaces: Offices, Warehouses, and Factories

Workplaces vary widely, but common risks include fire, chemical hazards, and accidents. With multi-environmental workplaces, such as outdoors locations, industrial facilities or construction sites, factors such as weather, air quality or heat can impact the workforce. 

In offices, PA systems and mass notifications are most common, while in warehouses and factories, alarms and visual signage may be more effective due to noise levels. 

Digital signage is increasingly used to reinforce safety training daily and then switch to emergency instructions when needed. Where screens are used for communication, digital signage can also be used to override the usual display and play emergency announcements. 

In fact, in large facilities, the ability to update every screen instantly can guide workers to the nearest safe exit or assembly point.

Transport hubs face some of the most complex communication challenges, especially in the event of emergency incidents. They must reach thousands of people simultaneously, often in multiple languages, and manage crowd movement without creating panic. 

Audio announcements, alarms, and staff radios are essential and often form the foundation of an emergency response. But digital signage provides a clear visual layer and a way to convey additional information or clear evacuation instructions on screen. 

Because there are screens in use, flight and train information screens can be overridden with emergency instructions, and wayfinding signage can display evacuation routes. 

The ability to reach passengers who may not speak the local language is also a significant advantage - with the option for multi-language displays.

Read more: How airport digital signage sets the standard.

Concerts, sports events, and festivals all carry the challenge of communicating with large, moving crowds. In these settings, PA announcements are standard, but they can be hard to hear over event noise. And - in case of disaster - it isn't always clear that a vocal announcement is related to the emergency in question.

Large video walls or digital signage displays allow organizers to broadcast instructions across the venue. Mobile notifications can also be used for ticket holders. The main concern is managing crowds calmly, especially as the audience might not be familiar with the location. So visual signage often plays a vital role in directing movement safely.

The Benefits of Digital Signage in Emergencies

While many systems play important roles, digital signage has become one of the most adaptable tools for emergency communication. As part of an emergency communication system, digital signage can help to manage risk and in the event of a disaster, it can be used to help manage the expectations of the audience and to support first responders. 

Its benefits lie in its ability to combine visibility, speed, and integration. ScreenCloud offer various ways to trigger emergency alerts via digital signage, with the notifications either triggered by popular Mass Alert Platforms (MAP) such as Omnilert or RAVE. But you can also use your own custom triggers too.

So why should you use an emergency alert digital signage system?

Digital signage can be updated instantly. If a fire breaks out in one area of a building, every screen across the site can display the relevant information or display evacuation routes within seconds.

Unlike audio systems, screens are not affected by background noise. In factories, stadiums, or transport hubs, digital displays can cut through the noise with visual instructions.

For organizations with multiple campuses or offices, digital signage software allows messages to be broadcast across all locations simultaneously. This ensures consistent messaging and faster response.

Modern digital signage platforms can integrate with fire alarms, mass notification software, or security systems. When an alarm is triggered, screens automatically switch to emergency mode, displaying evacuation maps, safety instructions, or alerts.

Visual instructions are essential for people who are hearing impaired or who do not speak the local language. Digital signage can display multilingual instructions or use clear icons to guide people.

Once the immediate threat has passed, digital signage continues to be useful. It can inform people when it is safe to return, share updates about transport disruptions, or provide reassurance and guidance.

Best Practices for Implementing Emergency Communication Systems

Organizations that want to strengthen their emergency communication should consider a layered and practical approach.

First, assess the risks specific to your environment. A hospital faces different emergencies than a factory, and a school has different needs than an airport.

Second, use more than one system. Audio alarms are essential, but they should be paired with visual communication such as signage. Mobile alerts can reach staff outside the building, while intercoms allow staff to coordinate inside.

Third, build redundancy into the system. Emergencies could disrupt power or connectivity, so systems should have backups in place. ScreenCloud digital signage can display cached messages in the event of a loss of connection. This is one reason customers use digital signage to meet OSHA requirements.

Fourth, test regularly. Even the best systems fail without practice. Employees/students should be familiar with how alerts sound, where to look for instructions, and what actions to take. There is no substitute for being prepared.

Finally, keep systems updated and integrated. Outdated or fragmented tools can cause delays. A well-integrated system where alarms trigger both sound and signage ensures speed and clarity.

Better Incident Management with ScreenCloud

Emergency communication systems are not optional. They are the foundation of any safety strategy, ensuring that in moments of crisis, information flows quickly and effectively to those who need it. 

Digital signage has emerged as a vital layer in these systems and ScreenCloud provides an effective solution for those looking to support their emergency communication network.  

Whether managing digital signage across a school or college, within a factory or dispatch center, or in a public area such as an airport or conference hall, ScreenCloud's emergency alerts app is designed to ensure that when worse comes to worst, your emergency response is as robust as it can be.

Find out more about how ScreenCloud digital signage fits into your communications network by booking a demo today - or sign up for a 14 day free trial. 

Sharing timely emergency alerts can be the difference between life and death. Find out how to use emergency communication systems and digital signage.

A Guide to Emergency Communication Systems in Business

Employee health and safety is a core component of every workplace. Which is why you'll often notice an abundance of safety signage, especially in industries with high injury risks like manufacturing.

There's also a focus on finding new and efficient ways to elevate workplace health and safety. Enter digital signage. The dynamic content capabilities and real-time information delivery of most digital screens enable workplaces to implement better safety signs and explore other ways to promote health and safety.

But how exactly does digital signage improve workplace safety, and where can you start implementing it for the best results?

The importance of safety signage in the workplace

Safety signage helps employees quickly understand the potential risks or dangers around equipment or materials and helps prevent accidents and injuries. This is especially important in an industrial environment where heavy machinery and potential safety hazards abound.

First of all, safety signage is usually a legal requirement - so displaying standard workplace safety signs isn't just a nice to have.

But in addition to fulfilling your legal requirements, safety signage can be helpful for:

Sharing safety standards at the point of use

In public spaces, health and safety signage can help maintain safety standards and compliance, provide direction in cases of emergencies, or simply help prevent accidents. Some examples of this include:

Hygiene and sanitation signage like restroom signs or no littering

Hazard signs like "wet floor" and construction zone signs.

Safety signage comes in various forms, each serving a specific purpose. Here's a breakdown of the most common types:

Warning Signs: These alert workers to potential hazards, such as "Caution: Wet Floor" or "High Voltage Area."

Mandatory Signs: These signs indicate actions that must be taken, such as "Wear Safety Goggles" or "Hard Hats Required."

Prohibition Signs: Indicate actions that are not permitted, such as "No Smoking" or "Do Not Enter."

Emergency Information Signs: Provide critical information during emergencies, including "Exit" signs and first aid locations.

Fire Safety Signs: Show the location of firefighting equipment and escape routes.

Regulatory Signs: These highlight legal requirements, protocols and other regulations related to the workplace.

While many of these safety signs are often static, there are opportunities to present a more dynamic display.

Why use digital signage for health and safety in the workplace?

Digital signage can deliver dynamic information, making it particularly helpful for updating workers on current safety protocols and, of course, displaying safety signage.

But that’s not the biggest reason to adopt digital signage in the workplace; it’s all the other ways you can use screens to share information.

For example, you can use digital signage to meet OSHA requirements.

Instead of having one static sign that displays the same info, you could have a screen that cycles through various safety signages, depending on the context. Additionally, the screen could also display other helpful information, including:

Updates to keep deskless workers in the loop

Returning to health and safety signage, here are some reasons to use digital displays instead of static signs.

Digital safety signs can provide real-time updates about active or potential hazards, emergency alerts, or safety procedures in environments where conditions can change.

For example, if a spill occurs in a specific area, safety personnel can immediately change a digital sign from “Hard Hats Required” to notifying workers to avoid that area and follow alternative routes.

In a non-industrial setting, real time safety signs can also inform people about local challenges such as weather alerts, access problems (such as faulty elevators) or local security issues.

That can save time and make the process of informing everyone more efficient.

Interactive digital signs can be used for training purposes, allowing employees to engage with safety protocols through videos, quizzes, and simulations. This interactive approach can offer many untapped opportunities, including making the learning process more engaging and ensuring better retention of safety procedures.

A great example is workers participating in simulated emergency drills or equipment handling procedures, which enhances their preparedness for real-life situations.

Displays can also share reminders periodically to reinforce the information they’ve received in the training process.

Read more: What is interactive digital signage?

Using a digital signage solution can enable safety managers to update displays remotely, making it easy to keep information current across multiple sites. Safety signs will always be safety signs, but sometimes, the workplace may introduce processes, safety protocols, or PPEs, and these may need to be reflected in your signage.

This use of digital signage is particularly beneficial for large companies with numerous facilities, where manually maintaining printed safety signs would be impractical.

With digital signage, you can make central updates on new safety protocols and propagate them to all locations in a timely manner.

If you have a diverse staff, digital signs can be used to display messages in multiple languages, ensuring all employees understand the safety information. This could be just as helpful for employees whose first language isn’t English.

When it comes to life-saving safety information, it’s vital that everyone knows precisely what to do and what not to do, and digital signage could be helpful here.

Creating slides in specific languages to display on your safety signs ensures that everyone is aware of the potential hazards, even if they're not fluent in the language if your business. Simply set up your message, create a translated version (or versions), set the safety information to cycle through.

How to design workplace safety signs for digital displays

To create effective safety signs for digital screens, you need a blend of clarity, simplicity, and attention to detail. The signs must be prominent enough so that anyone can look at them and immediately understand the message and what’s required of them.

But they also need to avoid the problem of 'too much information'.

Here are some tips to help make sure you get it right:

When it comes to health and safety information, the signs should be easy to read and understand at a glance. Flashy graphics with motion animation and colorful backgrounds have their place in creating digital signage content - but not with safety signs.

You don't need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to signage. Keep your message succinct, and if you have multiple messages, don't worry about using more than one slide on your digital signage - that's one of the benefits if using digital.

It's also important to stick to health and safety color codes. According to the HSE network, here are the most important things to remember.

Red for fire safety and prohibition signs

Green for emergency escape and first aid safety signs

With health and safety digital signage, it’s essential to get to the point quickly.

Use bold text or bright colors to highlight the most important information, such as the nature of the hazard or the required action.

Thanks to digital signage's dynamic nature, you can also add extra context to provide further information. But, the key details should always lead.

Some health and safety signs don’t even need a lot of words; just the icons and graphics convey the information well enough. For Example, when most people see the below image, they immediately understand that there's a high chance of falling in the area.

Using icons and graphics like these can help improve the speed of information delivery and make your signs much more effective.

Consistency in style and font is critical when creating these safety signs. To avoid confusion, stick to the same font, colors (appropriate to the type of signs), and layouts. This will contribute to the overall readability.

Create effective digital safety signs with ScreenCloud

Implementing digital health and safety signage in the workplace is a step towards a safer, more informed work environment. Whether it's in a bustling factory, a busy logistics hub, or an office setting, digital displays can improve communication and ensure that safety information is always up-to-date and accessible for everyone.

With ScreenCloud, you can quickly create health and safety signs and roll them out to as many screens as you need. Our digital signage solution also allows you to implement multiple uses for your screen as needed without extra costs outside your plan.

Find out more by booking a demo or starting a 14-day free trial today.

Health and safety signage needs to be visible and accessible. While static safety signs are good, there are also digital signage solutions for safety signage.

How to Use Health and Safety Signage in the Workplace

Try ScreenCloud digital signage free for 14-days. No credit cards required. Or get a product demonstration.

Ready to get started with digital signage?

Why engaging hard-to-reach employees is critical to business success, and how digital signage can help.

eBook: Employee Engagement & the Deskless Workforce - ScreenCloud

Driving employee engagement by building a modern, connected workplace

Improving recall of your most important information

Increasing employee retention by celebrating achievements and building culture

Discover how and why digital signage is an appropriate and effective strategy for:

Employee Engagement & the Deskless Workforce

This eBook explores how content across various devices and display sizes is received by your eyes, and how your brain processes and remembers the things you see.

eBook: The Neuroscience of Visual Media - ScreenCloud

This eBook explores how content across various devices and display sizes is received by your eyes, and how your brain processes and remembers the things you see. We'll discuss:

Why use Digital Signage to display emergency alerts?

When an unexpected event occurs, it's critical to take prompt action to ensure the safety of your employees, students or customers. ScreenCloud’s ‘Emergency Alerts’ feature complements and amplifies your existing safety protocols and processes; while keeping your people well-informed and up-to-date  before, during and after these events.

ScreenCloud’s ‘Emergency Alerts’ feature complements and amplifies your existing safety protocols and processes; while keeping your people well-informed and up-to-date  before, during and after these events.

How it works:

Health & Safety Compliance

How to Meet OSHA Requirements with Digital Signage

A Guide to Emergency Communication Systems in Business

How to Use Health and Safety Signage in the Workplace

Employee Engagement & the Deskless Workforce

The Neuroscience of Visual Media

Speed, Automation, and Reliability Matter When an Event Occurs | Emergency Alerts App in Studio

Unleashing the Hidden Dashboard

How to Enhance Workplace Safety Using Industrial Display Systems

Digital Signage Best Practice for Educators