Tel: (256) 765.0434 + Toll Free: (888) 201.2508
ANSI Z535.4 & ISO 3864-2 Safety
General Information
ANSI Z535.4 2002 reasoning "The diversity of culture and background in American society increases the need to standardize a visual alerting identification system for safety signage. The great need to eliminate accidents and suffering among individuals who may be exposed to hazards requires the use of standard formats, sizes, colors, shapes and a firm understanding of the degree of the hazard."
The ANSI Z535.4 2002 Standard recognize that symbols have the ability to communicate across language barriers. For manufacturers, it is important to have the right symbols on their product safety labels because the world has become a single marketplace for their products. It is also important because safety labels have the ability to communicate hazard information quickly and serve to remind persons of hazards with which they are already familiar. Where word messages can be ignored, symbols stand out and are seen, distinct from the "clutter" of text information we are confronted with on a daily basis.
ANSI labels are comprised of five key elements:
- The Signal Word Panel (NOTICE, CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER). The Safety Alert Symbol must be used in conjunction with the Signal Word if there is a possible personal injury hazard.
- The use of a pictorial is recommended but not required. Select a pictorial that clearly identifies the hazard, consequences, or precautions.
- Identification of the hazard (e.g. "Crush Hazard") or action statement (e.g. "Do Not Enter")
- How to avoid the hazard
- The consequences of not avoiding the hazard
Standards set by ISO for safety labels include:
- An optional signal word panel.
- Optional text outlining the hazard and hazard avoidance.
- ISO-formatted symbol is required. The three symbol types are listed in the "Pictorial Panel" section.
At Dixie Signs & Decals, Inc., we offer both the new and old standards because of the desire of our audience. We do, however, highly recommend that you switch to the new ANSI Z535.4 Standard to conform with the ANSI regulations. To view our catalog of safety signs and decals go to the Online Store. Or you can go to our DSD Design Center and design you design your own safety decal.
Design & Content
Primary parts of a safety label.
Header Section-contains signal words such as "Caution", "Warning", "Danger", or "Notice". These words must also be formatted according to ANSI standards.
Pictorial Panel-contains symbol appropriate to the hazard information you are trying to convey. This is not required but recommended.
Message Panel-this area generally consist of text identifying the hazard, consequences, and safety measures. This must also be formatted as specified by ANSI standards.
Header Section
The header section contains a signal word, possibly accompanied by a safety alert symbol. It is important for your safety labels to have the appropriate choice of signal word because this word and its colored background communicate the severity of the hazard.
Signal Word: the word that calls attention to the safety sign and designate a degree or level of hazard seriousness. The signal words for product safety signs are "DANGER", "WARNING", "CAUTION", and "NOTICE".
Safety Alert Symbol: the safety alert symbol is simply an exclamation mark(!) inside of a triangle. The new ANSI Z535.4 requires that this symbol be used in conjunction with the signal word when there is a personal injury hazard. The ANSI Safety Alert Symbol is either a black triangle with the exclamation mark(!) matching the color of the Header background (WARNING, CAUTION) or a white triangle with the exclamation mark(!) matching the color of the Header background (DANGER). The ISO Safety Alert Symbol is a black exclamation mark within a yellow triangle.If the safety label is going on a product shipping outside the U.S., you probably want to use a symbol that appears in an ISO format.
DANGER: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. This signal word is to be limited to the most extreme situations.
WARNING: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury. It may also be used without the safety alert symbol as an alternative to "Notice".
NOTICE: "NOTICE" is the preferred signal word to address practices not related to personal injury. The safety alert symbol shall not be used with this signal word. As an alternative to "NOTICE" the word "CAUTION" without the safety alert symbol may be used to indicate a message not related to personal injury.
Pictorial Panel
ANSI Z535.4 encourages the use of safety symbols whenever practical to do so. A pictorial is able to communicate a message across language barriers. It is also a quick, attention getting form of communication. There are two distinct formats for the pictorial, a standard graphic, or a graphic formatted to the ISO 3864-2 standard.
An ANSI standard graphic is a black image on a white background.
There are basically 2 types of pictorials used for ANSI Standard safety signs.
Hazard Alerting Pictorials: Should clearly identify the hazard and portray the potential consequences if the hazard is not avoided.
Hazard Avoidance Pictorial: Should clearly identify the actions or equipment necessary to avoid the hazard.
The ISO formatted graphic appears as a black graphic in a yellow triangle with black band, or a white graphic in a blue circle, or a black graphic inside a red prohibition circle with red slash.
Mandatory Action: Defines a safety label that indicates that an action should be taken or equipment should be used to avoid a hazard.
Prohibition: Defines a safety label that indicates that an action should not be taken or should be stopped.
Hazard Identification: Defines a safety label that indicates a hazard.
Message Panel
ANSI Z535.4 recommends the combination of upper and lower case sans serif text. Upper case only lettering may be used for short messages or emphasis of individual words. The primary objective of a safety signs is to communicate information quickly enough to allow a person to understand it and take appropriate actions to avoid the hazard.
There are basically 3 item that should be identified in the message panel. The items communicated through the word message are the action statement, the hazard identification, and the consequence statement.
Action Statement: These are instructions of how to avoid hazards. The statement should be accurate, simple, direct and relevant to the hazard.
Hazard Identification: Identifies the specific hazard with clear and simple language.
Consequence Statement: Use clear, accurate and simple language to warn persons of potential consequences if the warning is ignored.
