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Ideally the workplace would be hazard-free and safe from potential injuries and accidents. However, many operations involve a certain amount of risk which cannot be controlled through engineering controls. Safety signs, labels, tags, barricades, signals, and other markings have been developed and required in certain workplace situations as one method of preventing workplace accidents and subsequent injury or illness. Generally, these markings communicate hazards and warn employees to be careful.
As with any subject it is always a good idea to start by defining terms:
Term: | Definition: |
---|---|
Sign | A surface prepared for the warning of, or safety instructions of, industrial workers or members of the public who may be exposed to hazards. Signs do not include news releases, displays commonly known as safety posters, and bulletins used for employee education. |
Label | Any written, printed, or graphic material displayed on or affixed to equipment, a container, or other 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. |
Tag | Cards, papers, pasteboard, plastic, or other material 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. |
Barricade | Obstructions to deter the passage of persons or vehicles. |
Signals | Moving signs, provided by workers, such as flaggers, or by devices such as flashing lights, to warn of possible or existing hazards. |
Placard | A Department of Transportation term that refers to a rather large diamond-shaped "sign" used on the outside of a transport vehicle to identify the hazard name, class, and illustration of the hazardous material being transported. |
Marking | This introduction uses the term "marking" to refer to all signs, labels, tags, barricades, signals, placards, and specific markings. However, a marking is also a Department of Transportation term that refers to identification text printed on or affixed to the surface of a package or on a label, tag, or sign. |
OSHA has established rules throughout 29 CFR 1910 and 1926 regarding the design, application, and use of safety markings in the workplace. At the core of these regulations, employers will discover three major marking regulations:
Be aware that §1910.145 calls for signs or symbols when specific hazards are of a nature such that failure to designate them may lead to accidental injury to workers or the public, or both, or to property damage. This is a "catch-all" requirement for posting signs near hazards.
Other agencies, in addition to OSHA, call for various markings, including, but not limited to:
Also, several standards organizations recommend markings, including, but not limited to:
What’s more, some of the standards developed by these organizations are not just recommended, but required by OSHA and other agencies. For example, a regulation may refer to a particular ANSI standard. This referral procedure is called “incorporation by reference.” Standards referred to by regulations have the force of law.
Several incorporated standards are very old, and employers may have trouble obtaining copies of these sometimes out-of-print standards. Often the standards organizations have updated their standards since the date of the incorporated standard. However, be careful about following the updated standards, which are not yet incorporated by reference.
According to OSHA, when an employer complies with a more recent consensus standard than the one incorporated by reference, and the employer’s action provides equal or greater employee protection, OSHA may find the employer in violation, but the violation will be considered “de minimis.” Conversely, if the employer’s action does not provide equal or greater employee protection than that which would be provided under the incorporated standard, the conditions shall be appropriately classified as serious, other-than-serious, repeated, or willful and cited along with all other violations noted.
Another point to be aware of regarding standards involves those that are not even incorporated by reference. Standards that are not incorporated by reference may still be used by OSHA as evidence to support a citation under section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the General Duty Clause) when a particular hazard is not addressed by any regulation or when the OSHA regulation is known to be insufficiently protective. Standards, in essence, prove that a hazard is recognized within industry and by safety experts, and that abatement measures are well-known. However, OSHA claims that consensus standards that are not incorporated by reference do not become an OSHA standard having the force of law.
Lastly, state and local agencies may require further marking beyond federal regulations and organizational standards.
OSHA does not specify much in the way of marking design and format. Section 1910.145 does state that signs must be furnished with rounded or blunt corners and be free from sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp projections. Also, the ends or heads of bolts or other fastening devices must be located in such a way that they do not constitute a hazard.
Employers may find the following standards helpful in regard to marking size, layout, letter style and size, surface finish, and durability:
Standard: | As incorporated by reference at: |
---|---|
ANSI Z535.2-2011, American National Standard for Environmental and Facility Safety Signs | §§1910.261(c) and 1926.200(b), (c), and (i) |
ANSI Z535.2-2011 (R2017), American National Standard for Environmental and Facility Safety Signs | Not incorporated by OSHA regulations |
ANSI Z535.4-2011 (R2017), Product Safety Signs and Labels | Not incorporated by OSHA regulations |
ANSI Z535.5-2011, American National Standard for Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards) | §1926.200(h) and (i) |
ANSI Z535.5-2011 (R2017), American National Standard for Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards) | Not incorporated by OSHA regulations |
ANSI Z535.5-2022, American National Standard for Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards) | Not incorporated by OSHA regulations |
ANSI Z35.1-1968, Specifications for Accident Prevention Signs | §§1910.261(c) and 1926.200(b), (c), and (i) |
ANSI Z35.2-1968, Specifications for Accident Prevention Tags | §1926.200(i) |
Part 6, “Temporary Traffic Control,” of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), 2009 Edition, December 2009 (including Revision 1 dated May 2012 and Revision 2 dated May 2012) | §§1926.200(g) and 1926.201(a) |
Whatever marking designs and formats are used, it is wise to use the most effective and consistent designs and formats. Messages with ineffective marking designs and formats are often ignored, and important messages can be lost in a clutter of varied marking styles.
OSHA will often specify the exact signal word and message required. The signal word panel is the area of a marking containing the signal word. Between OSHA and ANSI, there are at least nine signal words: danger, warning, caution, notice, safety instructions, safety equipment, fire equipment, biohazard, and exit.
The message panel offers the basic words used to convey what you want to say to workers. These messages take many forms: hazard alerts, consequences, prohibitions, actions, and informational. In general, the wording of any message should:
ANSI Z35.1-1968, Z35.2-1968, Z535.2-2011, and Z535.5-2011 are adopted by OSHA regulations and cover signal words and messages. Similarly, ANSI Z535.2-2011 (R2017), ANSI Z535.4-2011 (R2017), ANSI Z535.5-2011 (R2017), and ANSI Z535.5-2022 also cover signal words and messages.
Many OSHA regulations call for the use of English markings. However, increasingly, workplaces employ more and more employees who read only foreign languages. Employers and government agencies are beginning to realize that there is a language barrier that accounts for greater rates of injury and illness for those who do not understand English. One solution may be to select marking formats that incorporate both English and another primary language. ANSI Z535.2-2011 and ANSI Z535.2-2011 (R2017) recommends either vertical or horizontal formats.
Symbols and pictorials contribute to a sign’s meaning. Because U.S. workers come from varied backgrounds and cultures, social, reading, and comprehension skills can sometimes differ. Symbols carry universal meaning and they allow for fast communication of hazards and information. Some common hazard symbols include the radiation, biohazard, and no smoking symbols. While these symbols are generally not substituted, employers may develop unique symbols and signs for other hazards.
In fact, OSHA has stated that where it may be difficult to train employees who do not speak English if all hazard information available to them is only in English, employers should use a marking system that incorporates symbols everyone can understand to ensure that non-English speaking employees have the necessary safety and health information about workplace exposures.
OSHA does not require the safety symbol panel on a sign unless a specific regulation mandates one OR, in the case of general industry and shipyards, failure to designate a symbol may lead to accidental injury or property damage. If not required, a symbol panel may still be included, but a symbol panel by itself is not compliant for signs under 1910.145.
Employers may find it helpful to refer to ANSI Z535.3-2011 (R2017) or ANSI Z535.3-2022, American National Standard for Criteria for Safety Symbols.
For conveying a message quickly, a marking’s color is just as important as the text. Because certain colors have been associated with specific messages, using those same colors makes it all the more consistent and efficient. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the colors for OSHA signs follow general schemes for general industry and construction:
Sign: | Used to: | Color scheme required for general industry: | Color scheme required for construction: |
---|---|---|---|
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:
OSHA interpretation says the signal word must be white on a red oval inside a black border. No color is specified in the regulations for the message text or symbol (if a symbol is used), but the whole sign must be red, black, and white. There shall be no variation in the type of design of danger signs posted to warn of specific dangers and radiation hazards. | Red as the predominating color for the upper panel; black outline on the borders; and a white lower panel for additional sign wording. Danger signs must follow the specifications illustrated in:
|
Warning sign | Indicates a hazard that presents a potential threat of death or serious injury such that special precautions may be needed. May represent a hazard level between danger and caution signal words. | Not applicable to general industry. | Conforms to ANSI Z535.2-2011 color scheme:
|
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:
| Yellow shall be the predominating color. Caution signs shall have:
|
Notice sign | Indicates non-hazard information, like company policies for hygiene, housekeeping, or admittance. | Not applicable to general industry. | Conforms to ANSI Z535.2-2011:
|
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:
|
White background with green upper panel with white letters to convey the principal message. Any additional wording on the sign shall be black letters on the white background. The symbol, if used, may be:
|
Safety equipment sign | Indicates the location of safety equipment. | Not applicable to general industry. | Conforms to ANSI Z535.2-2011:
|
Fire equipment sign | Indicates the location of fire equipment. | Not applicable to general industry. | Conforms to ANSI Z535.2-2011:
|
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. (“Biological hazard,” or “biohazard,” shall include only those infectious agents presenting a risk or potential risk to the well-being of man.) Also identify the entrance to research laboratories and production facilities engaged in the culture, production, concentration, experimentation, and manipulation of HIV and HBV. | No color is specified for general industry signs, under §1910.145. However, color is specified under §1910.1030(g)(1)(ii) for signs at the entrance to work areas in HIV and HBV Research Laboratory and Production Facilities. Signs for those labs and facilities must be fluorescent orange-red or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color. All other biological/biohazard signs in general industry may use any color scheme, since no particular color scheme for other biological/ biohazard signs is specified in §§1910.145 or 1910.1030. | Conforms to ANSI Z35.1-1968, which calls for a fluorescent orange or orange-red symbol on contrasting background. No color is specified for the signal word and message panels. |
Radiation sign | Indicate a radiation area, high radiation area, airborne radioactivity area, and any area or room in which radioactive material is used or stored. | §1910.1096 calls for a magenta or purple three-bladed symbol design on a yellow background. However, the remainder of the sign (signal word and message panels) must follow the color scheme under §1910.145. Therefore, see the row in this table for caution signs for general industry. | Conforms to ANSI Z35.1-1968, which calls for:
|
Exit sign | Signify an exit or direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge. | Distinctive in color. Any color, or color combinations, that is readily visible or distinctive in appearance on exit signs is acceptable to OSHA. It is possible that local building codes may require a certain color, but OSHA’s general industry standards do not. Each exit sign must have the word “Exit” in plainly legible letters not less than six inches high, with the principal strokes of the letters in the word “Exit” not less than three-fourths of an inch wide. | Lettered in legible red letters, not less than six inches high, on a white field, and the principal stroke of the letters shall be at least three-fourths inch in width. |
Directional sign, other than automotive traffic signs | Indicate path of travel, other than for motorist traffic. | This sign is not described in OSHA’s general industry regulations. | White with a black panel and a white directional symbol. Any additional wording on the sign shall be black letters on the white background. |
Traffic sign | Instruct motorist traffic and protect construction workers. | This sign is not described in OSHA’s general industry regulations. | Conform to Part 6, “Temporary Traffic Control,” of the MUTCD, 2009 Edition, December 2009 (including Revision 1 dated May 2012 and Revision 2 dated May 2012). |
While OSHA “requires” a particular color scheme for tags for construction, the agency only makes color scheme “recommendations” for general industry. The recommended general industry and required construction color schemes for tags are provided below:
Tag: | Used: | Color scheme recommended (not required) for general industry: | Color scheme required for construction: |
---|---|---|---|
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. | Follow specifications that are similar to those in:
|
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. | Follow specifications that are similar to those in:
|
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. | Follow specifications that are similar to those in:
|
Notice tag | Indicates non-hazard information, like company policies for hygiene, housekeeping, or admittance. | Not applicable to general industry. | Follow specifications that are similar to those in: |
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. | Follow specifications of ANSI Z35.2-1968:
|
Radiation tag | Indicates a container of radioactive materials. | Not applicable to general industry. (§1910.1096(e)(6) mentions labels but not tags.) | Follow specifications of ANSI Z35.2-1968:
|
For general industry, OSHA’s Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards Standard, §1910.144, references safety colors yellow and red and what they must identify or designate:
Color: | Identifies or designates: |
Red |
|
Yellow |
|
While you will want to follow the provisions and standards listed in the OSHA regulations for general industry and construction, here are the colors recommended in the voluntary consensus standard, ANSI Z535.1-1998, Safety Color Code:
Color: | Hazard/Message Identified: |
Red |
|
Orange |
|
Yellow |
|
Green |
|
Blue |
|
Black or White |
|
However, note that the 2002 and later editions, including the 2006(R2011), 2017, and 2022 editions, of ANSI Z535.1, no longer have safety color meanings, which appeared in the 1998 and earlier editions.
Some OSHA marking placement requirements include the following:
Marking: | Placement requirement: |
Signs and symbols for construction |
|
Tags for general industry |
|
Tags for construction | According to §1926.200(i), ANSI Z35.1-1968, ANSI Z535.2-2011, ANSI Z35.2-1968, and ANSI Z535.5-2011 contain rules in addition to those specifically prescribed in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart G. The employer shall comply with ANSI Z35.1-1968 or ANSI Z535.2-2011, and ANSI Z35.2-1968 or Z535.5-2011, with respect to such additional rules. This means those consensus standards may include additional mandatory placement requirements for construction. |
Other marking placement recommendations include, but are not limited to, the following:
Marking: | Placement recommendation: |
Signs for general industry or construction |
|
Tags and labels for general industry or construction |
|
Signals for general industry or construction |
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