Perceived Effectiveness of Danger Signs: A Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

Fifty-eight subjects were shown randomly-ordered facsimiles of 80 OSHA-standard danger signs and rated the signs on 13 dimensions related to perceived effectiveness. The data were analyzed by means of principal components analysis and a series of multivariate and univariate analyses of variance. Signs containing a hazard label and instructions (e.g., GASOLINE - NO SMOKING) were rated as least likely to be recalled at a later time; however, they were rated as easiest to understand, most informative, and most likely to be complied with. Signs containing a hazard label only (e.g., POISON) were rated as least informative and most difficult to understand; however, they were rated as most likely to be recalled, as depicting a high degree of danger, and likely to be complied with. Signs containing instructions only (DO NOT ENTER) were rated as generally less effective.