It usually takes an accident or a disaster to lead to the improvement of safety for the general public. Certainly, this has been true for the development of applications based on GSS and LumiNova® phosphorescent pigments which are used to manufacture non-electrical safety signs and safety wayguidance systems. In the workplace Ukaphob non-slip coatings are applied to transit packaging to prevent accidents in the handling of palletised goods.
Following the Scandinavian Star Cruise Ship fire in 1990 the International Maritime Organisation specified photoluminescent escape route markings on passenger ships and ferries. In 2001 many people escaped down smoke-filled stairways after the attack on the Twin Towers in New York (9/11) only because photoluminescent markings had been installed. It has been proven that in the event of a total power failure people may be safely evacuated from tall buildings, passenger ships, aircraft, trains and from road tunnels even in dense smoke conditions by following photoluminescent signage.