Identification Technical Information

Basics of...identification

It’s the law…ANSI Z535 and OSHA 1910.145- Safety signs are required to indicate and define specific hazards that, without identification, may lead to injury or death. Select your sign with the header that indicates the degree of hazard in your application.

Use DANGER to indicate an immediate hazard that has a high probability to severe injury or death.
Use WARNING to indicate a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided can result in serious injury or death.
Use CAUTION to indicate a potentially hazardous situation that may result in minor or moderate injury, but not death.
Use NOTICE to provide general information needed to avoid confusion.
SAFETY FIRST, THINK, and EMERGENCY and other similar headings are used with information about housekeeping, first aid, health, medical equipment, sanitation and general safety.

OSHA Guidelines

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.15^© (1) & NFPA 101 Life Safety Code- the location of fire extinguishers, sprinklers, hoses and alarms are to be clearly marked
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 & NFPA 101 Life Safety Code- all exits are to be clearly marked
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37(q)(1)(3)(4)(6)(8)- an exit sign with an arrow showing the direction is to be placed in every location where the path of travel to the nearest exit is not apparent. Also all doors, passages and stairways which are not exits and/or may be mistaken as an exit, are to be identified as not an exit or by its property, i.e. "PROPERTY ROOM", "CLOSET", etc.
OSHA 28 CFR & Section 4.1.2(7) of the Americans With Disabilities Act- toilet/bathing facilities that are accessible shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200- every container of hazardous chemicals must be labeled with chemical name and appropriate hazard warnings so employees are aware of potential exposure
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.305(b)(3)- covers for boxes are to be permanently marked with “HIGH VOLTAGE�? on the outside of the box cover
NEC 430.102- Disconnecting means for motor, motor circuits and controllers. "The provisions for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be permanently installed "ON" or "AT" the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means."
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145- where a hazardous situation could result in death or severe injury, signs are to be posted indicating immediate danger and which special precautions are necessary. Where a hazardous situation is capable of severe injury, signs are to be posted to caution against unsafe practices.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145^©(2)- caution signs are to be used to warn against potential hazards
OSHA 29 CFR.147- all energy sources are required to be turned off and locked out while machines are being serviced or maintained. Any energy sources that cannot be locked out are to use a tag out system.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450(h)(l) and .1200(g)(10) - right to know material safety data sheets must be readily accessible to employees.OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145- location signs for eyewash stations and safety showers are recommended.OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146^© (2)- signs are to be posted near permit spaces to notify employees of what hazards may be present with messages such as "PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE."
NFPA Life Safety Code 5-2.2.5.4- "Stairs serving five or more stories shall be provided with signage within the enclosure at each floor landing. The signage shall indicate the story, the terminus of the top and bottom of the stair enclosure, and the identification of the stair. The signage also shall state the story of, and the direction to, exit discharge."

Fire Signs

Flammable: Keep Fire Away 1910.106(d)(3)(ii)- Storage cabinets in which flammable liquids are kept must be labeled in a conspicuous manner "Flammable - Keep Fire Away"
Fire Hose 1910.158^©(1)- Where reels or cabinets are used to contain a fire hose, the employer must be sure that they are conspicuously identified and used only for fire equipment.

Fire Extinguisher Marking 1910.157^©(1)- When portable fire extinguishers are provided, they must be located, mounted, and identified so that they are readily accessible.

Hazardous Waste Labels

D.O.T. (49CFR part 172) and EPA (40 CFR part 262)- require labeling substance containers for hazardous waste. Labels must be durable, in contrasting colors and in English. In placement, the label may not be obscured by other labels, attachments or markings.

Safety Marking Tapes

Safety code designations for tape colors as recommended per OSHA 29 CFR 1910-144(a):
Red- Danger, fire protection apparatus and containers of flammable liquids
Orange- Dangerous parts of machinery or energized equipment
Yellow- Caution and physical hazards (interchangeable with black and yellow stripes)
Blue- Warning against starting equipment under repair
Green- For safety and first aid equipment locations
Black & Yellow- Caution and physical hazards
Magenta & Yellow- Radiation hazards
Red & White- Danger and fire protection equipment

Electrical Hazards

ANSI required color ANSI ZG3.22- Orange will be used as the basic color for indicating hazardous parts of machines or energized equipment, which may shock or otherwise injure.

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