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Safety color code for signs and tags

When you think of “danger” signs and tags, what colors come to mind? There’s a good chance you think of red, black, and white. How about a “caution” sign? Yellow and black, right? For conveying a message quickly, a sign or tag’s color is just as important as the text. Because certain colors have been associated with specific messages, using those same color schemes makes it all the more consistent and efficient. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the colors for safety signs and tags follow general schemes provided in the OSHA 29 CFR 1910 regulations.

Scope

OSHA has established requirements throughout 29 CFR 1910 regarding the color of safety signs and tags. General industry employers must follow the color schemes specified if the sign or tag requirement applies. However, where no color scheme is presented by a sign or tag requirement, the employer must follow the color codes presented at 1910.145.

Regulatory citations

29 CFR 1910.37 — Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
29 CFR 1910.97 — Nonionizing radiation
29 CFR 1910.107 — Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials
29 CFR 1910.109 — Explosives and blasting agents
29 CFR 1910.144 — Safety color code for marking physical hazards
29 CFR 1910.145 — Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags
29 CFR 1910.147 — The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
29 CFR 1910.261 — Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills
29 CFR 1910.269 — Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution
29 CFR 1910.1030 — Bloodborne pathogens
29 CFR 1910.1096 — Ionizing radiation
29 CFR 1910.1200 — Hazard communication

Note: For general industry, ANSI Z535.2-2011, Environmental and Facility Safety Signs, is only adopted by reference for the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills Standard at 1910.261, not 1910.145. Also, ANSI Z535.2-2011 has a slightly different and more modern color scheme for signs than federal OSHA 1910.145. On the other hand, ANSI Z535.5-2011, Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards), has a similar color scheme for tags as federal OSHA Appendix A to 1910.145. However, OSHA has not stated whether or not following ANSI Z535.2 or ANSI Z535.5 would be compliant with 1910.145.

It is important to note that consensus standards that are not incorporated by reference do not become an OSHA standard having the force of law. What’s more, application of a consensus standard that contradicts an OSHA standard may be a violation, unless a variance is sought. It is unclear whether OSHA would consider it a “de minimis” violation to follow ANSI Z535.2 and/or ANSI Z535.5 rather than 1910.145. Until OSHA clarifies its position on the use of ANSI Z535.2 or ANSI Z535.5 for general industry (beyond pulp, paper, and paperboard mills), employers are urged to carefully follow 1910.145 for sign or tag color coding.

Key definitions

ANSI Z53.1-1967: A consensus standard from the American National Standards Institute called Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards, and ANSI-approved October 9, 1967. Also referred to as USAS Z53.1-1967.
ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011): A consensus standard from the American National Standards Institute called Safety Colors, reaffirmed July 19, 2011.
Biological hazard or BIOHAZARD: Those infectious agents presenting a risk or potential risk of death, injury, or illness to an employee(s).
Black: Under 1910.145, the color black must be that 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, 2 Standard Observer,” of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).
Exit: That portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge. An example of an exit is a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway that leads from the fifth floor of an office building to the outside of the building.
Exit access: That portion of an exit route that leads to an exit. An example of an exit access is a corridor on the fifth floor of an office building that leads to a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway (the Exit).
Exit discharge: The part of the exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. An example of an exit discharge is a door at the bottom of a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway that discharges to a place of safety outside the building.
Exit route: A continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety (including refuge areas). An exit route consists of three parts: the exit access, the exit, and, the exit discharge. (An exit route includes all vertical and horizontal areas along the route.)
Green: Under 1910.145, the color green must be that 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, 2 Standard Observer,” of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).
High radiation area: Any area, accessible to personnel, in which there exists radiation at such levels that a major portion of the body could receive in any one hour a dose in excess of 100 millirem.
Major message (on a tag): That portion of a tag’s inscription that is more specific than the signal word and that indicates the specific hazardous condition or the instruction to be communicated to the employee. Examples include: “High Voltage,” “Close Clearance,” “Do Not Start,” or “Do Not Use” or a corresponding pictograph used with a written text or alone.
Pictograph (on a tag): Pictorial representation used to identify a hazardous condition or to convey a safety instruction.
Production facility (under 1910.1030): A facility engaged in industrial-scale, large-volume, or high concentration production of HIV or HBV.
Radiation: Includes alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, X-rays, neutrons, high-speed electrons, high-speed protons, and other atomic particles, but this term does not include sound or radio waves, visible light, or infrared or ultraviolet light.
Radiation area: Any area, accessible to personnel, in which there exists radiation at such levels that a major portion of the body could receive in any 1 hour a dose in excess of 5 millirem, or in any 5 consecutive days a dose in excess of 100 millirem.
Red: Under 1910.145, the color red must be that 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, 2 Standard Observer,” of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).
Sign: A surface prepared for the warning of, or safety instructions of, industrial employees or members of the public who may be exposed to hazards. Excluded from this definition, however, are news releases, displays commonly known as safety posters, and bulletins used for employee education.
Signal word (on a tag): That portion of a tag’s inscription that contains the word or words that are intended to capture the employee’s immediate attention.
Tag: Device usually made of cards, papers, pasteboard, plastic, or other material used to identify a hazardous condition. Tags are used as a means to prevent accidental injury or illness to employees who are exposed to hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, equipment, or operations which are out of the ordinary, unexpected, or not readily apparent.
White: Under 1910.145, the color white must be that 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, 2 Standard Observer,” of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).
Yellow: Under 1910.145, the color yellow must be that 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, 2 Standard Observer,” of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011).

Summary of requirements

Mark each exit by a sign reading “Exit” in a distinctive color. OSHA has no prohibition against the color red. Any color, or color combinations, that is readily visible or distinctive in appearance on exit signs is acceptable to OSHA for general industry. It is possible that local building codes may require a certain color, but OSHA’s general industry standards do not. See 1910.37.
Ensure that a warning symbol is posted for all radio frequency radiation hazards. The symbol must consist of a red isosceles triangle above an inverted black isosceles triangle, separated and outlined by an aluminum color border. The words “Warning—Radio-Frequency Radiation Hazard” must appear in the upper triangle. All lettering and the border shall be of aluminum color. ANSI Z53.1-1967 or ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011) is for use for color specification. See figure G-11 of 1910.97.
Conspicuously post “No smoking” signs in large letters on contrasting color background at all spraying areas and paint storage rooms. See 1910.107.
If using a sign or tag to identify fire protection equipment and apparatus, be sure to use red as the basic color for identification, per 1910.144.

Mark every vehicle for transporting explosives and oxidizing materials listed in 1910.109(d)(2)(ii)(a) according to the marking provisions at 1910.109(d)(2)(ii). Exterior markings or placards required on applicable vehicles must be as follows for the various classes of commodities:

Commodity	Type of marking or placard
Explosives, Class A, any quantity or a combination of Class A and Class B explosives	Explosives A (Red letters on white background)
Explosives, Class B, and quantity	Explosives B (Red letters on white background)
Oxidizing material (blasting agents, ammonium nitrate, etc.), 1,000 pounds or more gross weight	Oxidizers (Yellow letters on black background)

Post any applicable OSHA-required signs. Look for them throughout 29 CFR 1910.
Post a sign (or symbol) to indicate and, insofar as possible, to define hazards, if failure to designate specific hazards in general industry may lead to accidental injury to employees or the public, or both, or to property damage. However, these requirements do not apply to street/highway/railroad signs, news releases, in-house safety posters, or bulletins. See 1910.145.

Unless specifically stated otherwise in 29 CFR 1910, when posting signs in general industry, follow the OSHA-required color schemes under 1910.145. They are as follows:

Sign	Used to	Color scheme required for general industry
Danger sign	Indicate immediate danger or immediate hazard and that special precautions are necessary.	The colors red, black, and white shall be 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, Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards; or Table 1, “Specification of the Safety Colors for CIE Illuminate C and the CIE 1931, 2º Standard Observer,” of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011), Safety Colors. There shall be no variation in the type of design of danger signs posted to warn of specific dangers and radiation hazards.
Caution sign	Warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices. Indicate a possible hazard against which proper precaution should be taken.	Yellow background, with a black panel with yellow letters. Any letters used against the yellow background shall be black. The colors shall be those of opaque glossy samples as specified in: Table 1 of ANSI Z53.1-1967, or Table 1 of ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011).
Safety instruction sign	Convey general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measures.	White background, with a green panel with white letters. Any letters used against the white background shall be black. The colors shall be those of opaque glossy samples as specified in: Table 1 of ANSI Z53.1-1967, or Table 1 of ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011).
Slow-moving vehicle emblem	Used as a unique identification for, and shall be used only on, vehicles which by design move slowly (25 m.p.h. or less) on the public roads. The emblem is not a clearance marker for wide machinery nor is it intended to replace required lighting or marking of slow-moving vehicles.	This emblem consists of a fluorescent yellow-orange triangle with a dark-red reflective border. The material, location, mounting, etc., of the emblem must be in accordance with the American Society of Agricultural Engineers Emblem for Identifying Slow-Moving Vehicles, ASAE R276, 1967, or ASAE S276.2 (ANSI B114.1-1971). See Figure J-7 at 1910.145.
Biological hazard (biohazard) sign	Signify the actual or potential presence of a biohazard and identify equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or combinations thereof, which contain, or are contaminated with, viable hazardous agents.	No color scheme is specified in 1910.145. However, 1910.1030 specifies that the signs required under that regulation must be fluorescent orange-red or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color.

Use tags as a means to prevent accidental injury or illness to general industry employees who are exposed to hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, equipment, or operations which are out of the ordinary, unexpected, or not readily apparent. However, tags need not be used where signs, guarding, or other positive means of protection are being used. See 1910.145.
Remove tags when the identified hazard is eliminated or the hazardous operation is completed. See 1910.145.

Unless specifically stated elsewhere in 29 CFR 1910, when affixing tags in general industry, follow the OSHA-recommended color schemes at 1910.145. They are as follows:

Tag	Used	Color scheme recommended (not required) for general industry
Danger tag	In major hazard situations where an immediate hazard presents a threat of death or serious injury to employees.	Red, or predominantly red, with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.
Caution tag	In minor hazard situations where a non-immediate or potential hazard or unsafe practice presents a lesser threat of employee injury.	Yellow, or predominantly yellow, with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.
Warning tag	To represent a hazard level between “Caution” and “Danger,” instead of the required “Caution” tag.	Orange, or predominantly orange, with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.
Biological hazard tag	To identify the actual or potential presence of a biological hazard and to identify equipment, containers, rooms, experimental animals, or combinations thereof, that contain or are contaminated with hazardous biological agents.	Fluorescent orange or orange-red, or predominantly so, with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.

Ensure that lockout and tagout devices are standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria: color; shape; or size; and additionally, in the case of tagout devices, print and format shall be standardized. See 1910.147 and 1910.269.
Erect signs reading “Danger—Overhead Conveyor” or an equivalent warning, in accordance with ANSI Z35.1-1968 or ANSI Z535.2-2011, when conveyors cross walkways or roadways in the yards of facilities where pulp, paper, and paperboard are manufactured and converted. The ANSI standards prescribe a specific color scheme for danger signs. See 1910.261.
Post signs at the entrance to work areas of HIV and HBV research laboratory and production facilities. The sign must be fluorescent orange-red or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color. See 1910.1030.
Post conspicuous caution signs at radiation, high radiation, and airborne radioactivity areas, as well as rooms or areas where radioactive materials or natural uranium or thorium is stored or used. Each of these signs must bear the radiation caution symbol, which is a magenta or purple three-bladed radiation symbol design on a yellow background, as shown at 1910.1096. In addition, follow the caution sign color scheme at 1910.145.
Ensure a sign identifies the containers to which it is applicable and conveys the information required by 1910.1200(f)(6), if you use signs in lieu of affixing labels to individual stationary process containers of hazardous chemicals in order to meet 1910.1200(f)(7). Paragraph 1910.1200(f)(6) has two options — (f)(6)(i) and (f)(6)(ii). If (f)(6)(i) is chosen, then applicable pictograms must be part of the information conveyed on the sign. While Appendix C to 1910.1200 states that pictograms must have a red border, OSHA directive CPL 02-02-079 states, “If a pictogram is used, it can be used with a black border. This is acceptable ONLY for in-house labels.” However, an OSHA source tells us that pictograms with a black border are also acceptable for in-house signs intended to meet 1910.1200(f)(6) and (f)(7) on in-house, individual stationary process containers, as long as those process containers are not being shipped.