Custom ANSI Z535.4 & ISO 3864-2 Safety Label

ANSI Z535.4 PRODUCT SAFETY LABELS

To view and print an Informational PDF click on this link: Product Safety Labels Submittal PDF →

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1. Hazard Classification: Signal Word

The first element to consider when designing or selecting a product safety label is to determine the likelihood and severity of a potential injury if a person does not follow the instructions contained on the safety label or sign.
There are four Signal Words or Hazard Classifications used in the design of an ANSI Z535.4 2007 compliant safety label: “DANGER”, “WARNING”, “CAUTION” and “NOTICE”

Click on this link to view: Signal Word Classification

Safety Alert Symbol: Use & Color Definition

ANSI Z535.4 2007 Revision has clarified the Safety Alert Symbol, use and respective colors, it has also incorporated the ISO 3864-1 general warning symbol as an alternate option. See image to learn how to use the safety alert symbol, what colors it should be, and when the use of certain versions (Image D & E) will comply with ISO 3864-2 as well.

Safety Alert Symbol

2. Safety Label Format: Message Panel

The message panel of any new ANSI Z535.4 2007 compliant sign or label must contain:

• Identification of the hazard.
• Identification of a means to avoid the hazard.
• Consequences of not avoiding the hazard.

The order in which the information appears in the message panel is flexible and should be determined by logical factors related to avoiding an injury, such as:

• The target audiences knowledge of the hazard.
• And the reaction time to avoid the hazard.

In addition, we recommend, when formatting the message panel, to consider the following practices:

• Use headline style text.
• Use active voice statements.
• Avoid prepositional phrases.
• Use left justification of the text except on one line messages.
• Use upper and lower case letters.

Click on this link to view & print: Brimar's Standard Label Sizes

3. Safety Symbols:

ANSI Z535.4 encourages the use of safety symbols that communicate a comparable message to the worded message on the sign or label. The safety symbol when selected properly, should identify:

• The hazard.
• Identify a means of avoiding the hazard.
• Consequences of not avoiding the hazard.

The safety symbol should clarify or reinforce the worded message on the label. There are four types of safety symbols used on ANSI Z535.4 compliant product safety label. When using safety symbols to comply with ANSI, the symbol can be black on a white background, other colors may be used, like safety red for fire related symbols, and so on.

To comply with both ANSI Z535.4 and ISO 3864, then the following applies, ISO 3864 2002 standards required that all of the safety symbols used on international product safety labels be within a surround shape, yellow equilateral triangle with black inner border for hazard alerting symbols, blue circle for mandatory actions, and red circle with 45° degree slash for prohibition symbols. ANSI Z535.4 2002 does not required the use of a yellow equilateral triangle or the mandatory surround shape but, it does recognize it and permits their use.

Click on this link to view: ANSI Z535 & ISO 3864-2 Safety Symbol Classification

4. Safety Label: Letter Size Legibility

• Lighting.
• Background.
• type font and visual acuity.

Other factors to consider in determining sign size include:

• The complexity of the message, the reaction time necessary and the angle the label will be seen from.
• In many situations it is better to use multiple smaller labels that are strategically positioned than one large label.

Many times letter size may need to be larger than the values shown on the graphic for a variety of reasons:

• To make the sign more noticeable from other information displayed in the area.
• To enable legibility under low light, or other poor viewing conditions.
• To alert persons sooner than the minimum safe viewing distance.
• To convey special importance for portions of the message.
• To improve legibility for persons who have vision problems with small text.

Example of text message letter heights and *minimum safe viewing distances.
* Minimum safe viewing distance refers to the closest distance a person can be to the label and still have time to follow the safety label's message to avoid the hazard.

Click on the link to Open & Print PDF with: Recommended Sign Size & Viewing Distances

5. Safety Labels: Recommended Label Placement

It is well recognized that in many instances, well designed and properly placed safety labels can increase operator and maintenance personnel awareness of the inherent hazards involved when working with machinery.
When installing labels on equipment we recommend to keep in mind the following criteria:

• Label needs to be readily visible to the target audience (personnel that will be in contact with the hazard)
• Label needs to alert the viewer to the hazard in time to take appropriate action.
• Labels are required to be applied on or adjacent to the area where the hazard is present.
• Labels are required to be permanently affixed to the equipment.
• Ensure the surface to which the label(s) will be applied on is clean and free of dirt, dust, grease and moisture. If the surface is painted, paint must be dry.
• Press the label on after applying it to the surface. One or more passes over with a rag or roller will ensure that the label is completely glued on the surface and will not fall off.

Links to Industries and Government Institutions Governing Signs:

• Go to ANSI Webstore
• Go to ISO Standards
• Go to NFPA Webstore
• Go to OSHA Standards Page