To Do?,Or not to Do?: Both are the Questions

Abstract

Safety communications are most commonly considered in terms of warnings to avoid certain behaviors thus reducing the occurrence of accidents. Use of symbols is helpful when the target individuals are not literate or do not read the language in which the warnings are written. Two factors are relevant to the use of symbols. A symbol that is not understood will not serve the purpose. Further, almost all warning symbols involve prohibition of some act or object. There are also circumstances that require communicating that something should be done. This paper describes approaches to a symbol for “to do” items and shows that in some cases they may enhance understanding the prohibition.