• It’s important to be aware of other available marking systems other than signs, tags, and labels.
• These other systems may be required by federal, state, or local laws and regulations. If not required, they may be a better fit for the intended application.

Signs, tags, and labels are part of a larger family of safety marking systems intended to communicate with employees and the public. While much attention is focused on signs, tags, labels, pipe markings, and barricade tape specified by standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), it’s important to be aware of other available marking systems. In some cases, these other systems may be required by federal, state, or local laws and regulations.

Where marking systems are not required, employers should consider whether these other marking systems may be a better fit for the intended application. Other marking systems could also be used in addition to OSHA, ANSI, and ASME signs, tags, labels, pipe markings, and barricade tape.

Listed below are some marking systems to consider. There may be others not listed here:

• ADAAG, Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities. See 36 CFR 1191 Appendices.
• API Recommended Practice 1109, Line Markers and Signage for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines and Facilities.
• Compressed Gas Association (CGA) consensus standards.
• Department of Defense Fire Division Symbols for Explosives.
• Department of Transportation standards for hazardous materials packaging labels, placards, and markings. See 49 CFR 171 to 180.
• Department of Transportation standards for vehicle markings. See 49 CFR 390.21T, 393.13, and 571.108.
• Environmental Protection Agency waste labels/markings. See 40 CFR 262, 273, and 279and state environmental laws/regulations.
• Food and Drug Administration standards for medical equipment. See 21 CFR.
• International Fire Code (IFC).
• ISO standards, such as the ISO 3864 series, Graphical Symbols - Safety Colours and Safety Signs, and ISO 7010, Graphical Symbols - Safety Colours and Safety Signs – Registered Safety Sign.
• Labor law posters and postings.
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD).
• Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) standards for surface and underground mines. See 30 CFR.
• Permits for confined spaces or hot work.
• Pesticide application posting, which may be a possible state requirement.
• Safety posters.
• Underground utility line marking. See 29 CFR 1926.651. Also see the Uniform Color Code from the American Public Works Association.
• Warning line systems. See 29 CFR 1926.502.