In September 2013, OSHA issued a new rule that incorporated the latest versions of standards for safety signs and tags by the American National Standards Institute. This was the first update in 40 years for OSHA's workplace safety sign and tag formats. Following current best practices for safety signage designs in construction and general industries, employers must adopt the newer ANSI tag and sign formats over time.
Hazard alerting signs must be placed to alert and inform viewers from a safe viewing distance, according to ANSI Z535.2-2011, Sections 11 and 12. • They must be legible, and must not be a distraction or create a hazard themselves.
The wording on any safety sign should be concise and easy to read, according to ANSI Z535.2-2011, Section 8. The size of the lettering must be of a size that enables a person with normal vision, including corrected vision, to read the safety sign message panel text at a safe viewing distance from the hazard.
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.
Danger signs – Indicate immediate danger and alert personnel that special precautions are necessary. OSHA specifies that red, black and white colors are to be used for danger signs.
Two agencies govern safety signs and marking: OSHA and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Under OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication Standard, organizations can now use either the ANSI standards from 1967-1968 (ANSI Z53.1, Z35.1 and Z35.2) or from 2011 (ANSI Z535.1, Z535.2 and Z535.5) for safety signage.
An OSHA investigation launched after the drowning death of a dock worker has resulted in more than a quarter of a million dollars in proposed penalties against his employer.
Safety training has been around forever. There are also safety orientations, safety coaching, safety mentoring, safety education, safety feedback. These staples of safety programs have one thing in common: showing employees how to recognize risks, know the rules, and avoid injury or illness.
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