Best Practices for Dam Safety Warning Signs: Agenda

January 10, 2023
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

• Why do we need warning signs for dams?
  • Public may not understand hazards associated with the dam
  • Statistics of public safety issues at dams (ASDSO) 
• FEMA’s Dam Safety Warning Signs Best Practices - Purpose
  • Promote consistent and recognizable public safety signage nationally
  • Reduce the risk of injury or death around dams
• Best Practices Resources
  • American International Standards Institute (ANSI) Association of State Dam Safety (ASDSO), Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Canadian Dam Association (CDA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Federal Highway Administration (FHA), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Coast Guard (USCG), United States Society on Dams (USSD) and more.
• Identify the types of hazards or risks present at the dam facility under a range of scenarios
  • Hazards from water flows
  • Human actions 
    • Identify what types of activities are occurring at dam
    • Identify public access points, portage trails, etc.
• Assess the frequency and severity of these hazards or risks
  • Estimate frequency of hazard
  • Estimate consequences
  • Calculate Risk Rating 
  • Assess and prioritize these risks then set boundaries
• Eliminate or Mitigate the Risks
  • Controlling exposure/access to the hazard
    • Deny access to site
    • Modify dam operations
  • Education
  • Plan for emergencies
  • Safety signage 
• Safety Signage
  • Danger
  • Warning
  • Informational/Educational
• Messaging Guidance
  • Challenges of Messaging
  • Best Practices in using locally predominant language(s)
  • Content
  • Accessibility
  • Community outreach/education
• Design Guidance
  • Layout
  • Size
  • Color
  • Pictograms
  • Materials
  • Reflectivity/Lighting
• Location Guidance and Installation
• Sign Inspection and Maintenance
• Resources