New components include:

Safety alert symbol (Black exclamation point within a yellow triangle with a black border)

• Indicates a potential personal injury hazard exists.
• It is only used on DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION signs, labels and tags.

Signal words for hazard alerting safety messages

• DANGER

• Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in serious injury or death.
• Its use should be limited to the most extreme situations.

• WARNING

• Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in serious injury or death.

• CAUTION

• Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

• Signal Words for Non-Hazard Alerting Safety Messages

• NOTICE

• Indicates information considered important but not directly hazard related (e.g., security, hygiene, equipment or property damage).

• Signal Words for Instructional Safety Messages

• SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• Used to provide explanatory information like procedures and instructions.
• More definitive words can be used in this signal word panel (e.g., LOCKOUT PROCEDURE).

• SYMBOLS

• Graphical symbols used to help bridge language barriers and draw attention to the safety message.
• Specific shape, color and design principles are used to meet global compliance objectives.

• TEXT MESSAGES

• Carefully crafted text is used to convey the safety message to the intended audience in a clear, concise manner.

Employers can use either the ANSI standards from 1967-1968 (ANSI Z35.1 and Z35.2) or from 2011 (ANSI Z535.1, Z535.2 and Z535.5) for safety signage. This allows employers to use either the old or new format, and be in OSHA compliance.