Burnham & Flower

	Understanding Warning Signs and Tags The workplace is filled with a variety of warning signs and tags. Because OSHA's requirements are frequently nonspecific as far as size, color, or exact wording on these postings, it's important to spend some time reviewing your facility's signage to help avoid confusion when it comes to identifying hazards. Danger signs Danger signs mean immediate danger and special precautions are needed. Danger signs use the colors red, black, and white. Caution signs Caution signs indicate a possible hazard against which proper precautions should be taken. The standard color of the background on Caution signs is yellow; and the panel, black with yellow letters. Any letters used against the yellow background must be black. Safety Instruction signs Safety Instruction signs are used where there is a need for general instructions and suggestions about safety measures. Safety Instruction signs have a white background; and the panel, green with white letters. Any letters used against the white background are black. Design features and the nature of the word used on warning signs All signs must have rounded or blunt corners so that they are free from sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp projections.		Safety Instruction signs are used where there is a need for general instructions and suggestions about safety measures. The wording on any sign should be easily read and concise. The sign should contain sufficient information to be easily understood. Accident prevention tags Accident prevention tags are used to identify hazardous conditions and to provide a message about the hazards. They are also used to meet specific tagging requirements in other OSHA standards. Tags must be affixed as closely as safely possible to the hazard using string, wire, or adhesive that prevent their loss or unintentional removal. Tags are made of card, paper, pasteboard, plastic, or other material. They contain a signal word or phase (either Danger, Caution, Biological Hazard, or BIOHAZARD) that is intended to capture the viewers immediate attention. They also contain a major message that indicates the specific hazardous condition or instruction (such as High Voltage or Do Not Start). The signal word has to be large enough so that it can be read from 5 feet away. The major message can be pictograph or text, or both. Danger tags are used where an immediate hazard presents a threat or death or serious injury. Caution tags are used where a non-immediate or potential hazard or unsafe practice presents a lesser threat of injury. Warning tags may be used to represent a hazard level between Caution and Danger.