ANSI Z535.1 Safety colors (USAS/ANSI Z53.1)

This standard’s intent is to establish a safety color code that will alert and inform persons to take precautionary action or other appropriate action in the presence of hazards. The criteria of this standard apply to the use of safety color coding for signs and symbols covered by ANSI Z535.2, .3, .4, and .5. In poorly lit areas, lighting must be provided so that locations, objects, or safety signs that are color coded will be easily identifiable. To enhance visibility, colors selected for safety signs should have the maximum color contrast, especially lightness contrast. Maximum contrast between the sign and the surrounding environment should also be taken into consideration.

Current edition

ANSI Z535.1-2022, American National Standard for Safety Colors

Incorporation by reference

The following editions have been incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):

IBR approved for	Overview of requirements	IBR approved edition
29 CFR 1910.97(a)(3)(ii)	Employers must ensure that ANSI Z53.1-1967 or ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011) is used for color specification for warning signs.	USAS Z53.1-1967 (ANSI Z53.1-1967) Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards, and ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011), American National Standard for Safety Colors.
29 CFR 1910.145(d)(2)	Employers must ensure the colors red, black, and white used on danger signs are those of opaque glossy samples as specified in Table 1, “Fundamental Specification of Safety Colors for CIE Standard Source ‘C,’ ” of ANSI Z53.1-1967 or in Table 1, “Specification of the Safety Colors for CIE Illuminate C and the CIE 1931, 2º Standard Observer,” of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).	USAS Z53.1-1967 (ANSI Z53.1-1967) Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards, and ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011), American National Standard for Safety Colors.
29 CFR 1910.145(d)(4)	Employers must ensure the colors used on caution signs are those of opaque glossy samples as specified in Table 1 of ANSI Z53.1-1967 or Table 1 of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).	USAS Z53.1-1967 (ANSI Z53.1-1967) Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards, and ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011), American National Standard for Safety Colors.
29 CFR 1910.145(d)(6)	Employers must ensure the colors used on safety instruction signs are those of opaque glossy samples as specified in Table 1 of ANSI Z53.1-1967 or in Table 1 of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).	USAS Z53.1-1967 (ANSI Z53.1-1967) Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards, and ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011), American National Standard for Safety Colors.
29 CFR 1926.200(c)(3)	Employers must ensure the colors used on caution signs are those of opaque glossy samples as specified in Table 1 of ANSI Z53.1-1967 or in Table 1 of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).	USA Z53.1-1967 (ANSI Z53.1-1967) Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards, and ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011), American National Standard for Safety Colors.

Note that the OSHA shipyard regulation 29 CFR 1915.91, the Accident Prevention Signs and Tags Standard, says the requirements of 1915.91 are identical to the requirements set forth at 29 CFR 1910.145. Therefore, the shipyard industry regulation at 1915.91 is also related.

How to purchase

Standards are available for purchase from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), see webstore.ansi.org, and from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), see www.nema.org.

['Toxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHA', 'Signs and Markings', 'Enforcement and Audits - OSHA']

['Enforcement and Audits - OSHA', 'Safety Color Coding', 'Radiation', 'Signs and Markings']

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