To understand the Signs and Markings topic, it is important to first understand what certain terms mean. These terms, as defined here, are used throughout this topic.

Aisle marking: Markings used to delineate permanent aisles or passageways. Any marking method may be used, including applying floor markings; marking pillars; or placing flags, traffic cones, barrels, and other devices.

ANSI: The American National Standards Institute.

Barricade tape: A non-adhesive strip of polyethylene, vinyl, or other material positioned to block and alert employees and others to a temporary hazard in order to prevent injury or illness. Safety colors, signal words, safety symbols, and message text may appear on the strip.

Floor marking: A marking method in which slip-resistant paint, tape, or another coating medium is applied to, adhered to, or integral with the floor. Floor marking patterns include solid color, angled bars of alternating color, a checkerboard of alternating color, a geometric combination of colors, and a photoluminescent application.

Floor sign: A non-required sign or decal adhered to or painted on the floor with text used for the following purposes: to identify clearances or the location of fire/safety equipment, for non-mandatory communication with employees, or as a supplement to required signs.

Label: Any written, printed, or graphic material displayed on or affixed to equipment, a container, or another item. Labels are not intended to be either the sole, or the most complete, source of information regarding the nature or identity of the item.

Marking system: A type of marking (sign, tag, label, barricade tape, pipe markings, etc.) that is intended to communicate with employees and/or the public and is part of a larger family of markings.

Message panel: The portion of a sign, tag, label, or other marking type with the basic words that convey what the employer wants to say to the employee, including hazard alerts, consequences, prohibitions, actions, and other information.

Pipe marking: A marking method that uses color, legends, arrows, symbols, and/or other details to identify the materials conveyed by a piping system and possibly the hazards of those materials if released.

Portable floor stand sign: A sign on a foldable stand positioned on the floor to alert employees and others to a temporary hazard in order to prevent injury or illness. An example is the CAUTION WET FLOOR stand sign often seen in retail or restaurant establishments.

Safety color: A standardized color used on signs, tags, labels, and other marking systems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) offer 10 safety colors that follow certain ink color specifications.

Safety symbol panel: The portion of a sign, tag, label, or other marking type that depicts one or more graphical symbols that help communicate the sign’s meaning, sidestep language barriers, and attract employees’ attention.

Safe viewing distance: The nearest point from a sign at which an employee can read it but still avoid the hazard conveyed by the sign.

Sign: In most cases, a surface prepared for the warning of, or safety instructions for, industrial employees or members of the public who may be exposed to hazards. However, signs may also inform employees of the location of exit routes, safety equipment, and fire equipment and communicate other information, such as security, smoking, and hygiene policies. Excluded from this definition are news releases, displays commonly known as safety posters, and bulletins used for employee education.

Signal word: The word or phrase on a sign, tag, label, or other marking that is intended to grab the employee’s attention, such as DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, NOTICE, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT, FIRE EQUIPMENT, BIOHAZARD, or EXIT.

Signal word panel: The portion of a sign, tag, label, or other marking that offers the signal word. The safety alert symbol — an exclamation point in an equilateral triangle with rounded corners — may be placed immediately before the signal word.

Slow-moving vehicle emblem: An emblem used as a unique identification for vehicles that by design move slowly (25 miles per hour or less) on public roads. See 29 CFR 1910.145 for information about the dimensions, color, material, location, mounting, etc. of the emblem.

Tag: A device usually made of cardstock, paper, pasteboard, plastic, or other material used to identify certain types of hazardous conditions and affixed as close as safely possible to its respective hazard(s) by string, wire, adhesive, or other positive means that prevents loss or unintentional removal of the device. Tags are used to prevent accidental injury or illness to employees who are exposed to hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, equipment, or operations that are out of the ordinary, unexpected, or not readily apparent.