About

This blog was started by Mark Graban, creator of leanblog.org. It is still somewhat of a “proof of concept” test blog as of 4/19/10.

This is a photoblog, intended to show pictures of workplace signs that say things like:

• Caution!
• Warning!
• Be Careful!
• LOOK OUT!
• Don’t Forget!

These signs usually have an exclamation point and often say “Please.” Signs and warnings are about the weakest form of “error proofing,” if you even want to call it that. Signs like this really just lecture and harangue employees (or sometimes customers) instead of address the process so that it’s more difficult for people to make mistakes or forget things. It’s often easier to just slap up a sign, thinking the problem is solved, instead of looking for a more systemic fix.

The “lean” methodology recognizes that people are human and that human error is inevitable. Signs and posters send a message that we can all avoid mistakes, if only we were careful enough.