Do not touch! Posted: 10 June 2010, 12:50:56

How do you react when you see a sign which reads “Do not touch”?  For some people, the simple message is enough for them to go no closer. 

For others, drawing attention to a button in this way makes them want to investigate it and find out what will happen if they do touch it. 

During a recent visit to the science museum I discovered that I my 11-year old falls into the first category, whilst my 9-year old falls into the second category. 

The science museum has an exhibit, “Do not touch”, in its energy section, and it was as fascinating to watch strangers around the exhibit as to watch my own sons. 

One little girl, only just old enough to read, studied the words carefully, and then looked over to her dad to see what he would do. 

He read the more detailed description of the exhibit, and decided to touch, experiencing the mild electric shock promised by the artist Christian Moeller. 

So then the little girl did the same. Other parents shooed their children away from the exhibit, not wishing to take the risk.

Of course, the “Do not touch” signs did not follow any of the ten design principles outlined in July HSW “Signs of the times”. 

There was no red circle to make it clear it was a prohibition and no warning triangle with a lightning bolt to warn of the consequences. 

Perhaps the science museum should consider a parallel exhibit with signs which follow the principles and see if people behave any differently.

As a final thought on signs, it will be interesting to see what happens when the GHS symbols required under CLP become widely used - see the outline of requirements here.  

It is likely that for some time both the new and the old symbols will be in use - will this make people more or less likely to touch what should not be touched?

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