Top ANSI Z535 Resources: 50 Articles, Guides, Forums, Color Charts and More to Learn About ANSI Z535 Standards

Administered and published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the ANSI Z535 standards are an American system for presenting safety and accident prevention information. The ANSI Z535 committee develops the standards, which are accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

ANSI Z535 corresponds to the international ISO 3864 standard and is comprised of six individual standards: ANSI Z535.1 American National Standard for Safety Colors, ANSI Z535.2 American National Standard for Environmental and Facility Safety Signs, ANSI Z535.3 American National Standard for Criteria for Safety Symbols, ANSI Z535.4 American National Standard for Product Safety Signs and Labels, ANSI Z535.5 American National Standard for Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards), and ANSI Z535.6 American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials.

Product manufacturers and facility owners across a range of industries use the ANSI Z535 standards to create safer workplaces and safe usage of their products. They rely on the standards to know exactly how to label their materials to convey safety messages to users to protect them from injury. Indeed, the standards provide them with the necessary guidance for conveying visual safety messages so as to make them stand out from other types of information. Of course, the more durable the signage, the better it is for compliance.

To help you navigate the ANSI Z535 standards and understand your responsibilities with them, we have rounded up 50 of the top resources on all six standards and the color charts. Our resources come from experts and industry leaders. The following articles, blogs, books, forums, guides, and other resources cover the standards for a range of industries and applications. We have categorized our resources and then alphabetized them to simplify your search process.

Jump to:

• Articles, Blogs, and Scholarly Papers
• Books
• Forums
• General Information
• Guides and How-Tos

Articles, Blogs, and Scholarly Papers

1. 2017 Brings Changes to Solar Labeling
@IMPOmag

Joel Bradbury’s Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation (IMPO) Magazine article explores solar labeling standards changes that take effect in 2017. One major change involves the label design for solidly grounded bipolar systems, which must state, “The Disconnection of the Grounded Conductor(s) May Result in Overvoltage on the Equipment” and conform to ANSI Z535.4-2011.

Three key points from 2017 Brings Changes to Solar Labeling:

• The 2017 NEC revision contains changes that clarify solar labeling requirements
• Solar labels must now provide the most relevant information for electricians and emergency responders
• Solar label designs must conform to NEC 2017 Article 110.21, which deems that signs must follow ANSI Z535.4-2011

Cost: FREE

2. A Brief History of the ANSI Z535 Standards
@NEMAupdates

Published by NEMA, ei is the magazine of the electroindustry. Readers who scroll to page 41 will find A Brief History of the ANSI 535 Standards, an article written by Geoffrey Peckham, chair of the ANSI Z535 committee. The article provides a brief overview of the standards and includes images of sample safety tags.

Three key points from A Brief History of the ANSI Z535 Standards:

• The ANSI Z535 standards exist to provide guidance to industries responsible for communicating visual safety messages that set them apart from other information
• ANSI Z535 standards originated in three standards: ASA Z35.1 from 1941, ANSI Z53.1 from 1945, and ASA Z35.2 from 1968
• In 1979, the ANSI Z53 and Z35 standards committees combined to form the ANSI Z535 Committee on Safety Signs and Colors; in 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) changed its standards to include ANSI Z535 standards

Cost: FREE

3. A Human Factors Perspective on ANSI Z535.6
@Holland_Knight

Holland & Knight provides legal representation in litigation, business, real estate, and government law. Their ANSI Z535 article is written by Dr. Nathan Dorris, a principal consultant at Dorris and Associates, Inc., which has been a leading provider of human factors, ergonomics, and safety consulting services for more than 25 years.

Three key points from A Human Factors Perspective on ANSI Z535.6:

• ANSI Z535.6 introduces new specifications for categorizing four types of safety messages: supplemental directives, grouped safety messages, section safety messages, and embedded safety messages
• The flexibility inherent in ANSI Z535.6 makes it difficult for manufacturers, engineers, and others to determine whether a document complies with the standard itself
• The objective of writing ANSI Z535.6 was to provide guidance for manufacturers and others in preparing safety messages in owner’s manuals and related media

Cost: FREE

4. Additional Guidance: ANSI Z535.4 and Arc Flash Labels
@ECmagdotcom

Electrical Contractor (EC) is the electrical industry’s leading magazine. Jim Phillips’ EC article on ANSI Z535.4 and arc flash labels reminds readers that even though arc flash labels are addressed in NFPA 70E and NFPA 70, additional guidance is provided by ANSI Z535.4. The standardized approach to arc flash labels significantly reduces confusion regarding important safety information for electrical hazards.

Three key points from Additional Guidance: ANSI Z535.4 and Arc Flash Labels:

• The label configuration as put forth by ANSI Z535.4 requires that it be divided into individual panels and will have at least two panels that include the signal word and message panels
• Signal words must be uppercase only and appear in sans serif font
• The label’s border should be safety white, but safety black is permitted if it is necessary for achieving better contrast

Cost: FREE

5. ANSI vs. OSHA, Which Safety Paint Colors Do I Use?
@PerformanceInd

Performance Industrial is a leading provider of commercial and industrial cleaning, painting, HVAC, kitchen exhaust cleaning, and epoxy flooring services. Their expert article explores a question that many warehouse and manufacturing leaders have: which safety paint colors are correct?

Three key points from ANSI vs. OSHA, Which Safety Paint Colors Do I Use?:

• OSHA does not mandate colors for facilities or accident prevention tags, but it does recommend meeting requirements for identifying danger, caution, warning, and biological hazard areas
• ANSI colors should be used for piping and valve systems
• The best course of action for a facility is to be consistent with safety colors

Cost: FREE

6. The ANSI Z535 Standards and Their Scope
@Medium

Legal expert Malcolm Abbott provides a comprehensive overview of the ANSI Z535 standards in his Medium article. The article also includes images detailing the differences between the format of signs following the ANSI Z535.2 standard and the traditional OSHA format.

Three key points from The ANSI Z535 Standards and Their Scope:

• While the ANSI Z535 standards correspond to the ISO 3864 standards, they also deviate from it
• ANSI Z535.1 is the only standard published separately; it provides a sample of each color and its significance in addition to the color’s ink formulation and the closets PANTONE color
• Despite their being drafted and published at various times, the ANSI Z535 standards are a comprehensive guideline for manufacturers and facilities in the United States

Cost: FREE

7. ANSI Z535.6 and Conspicuity: A Test of the New State of the Art Format for Instructions
@SAGE_News

Available via SAGE Journals, ANSI Z535.6 and Conspicuity  considers whether adhering to the formatting guidelines reduces injuries. The study measures real-world behavior and laboratory behavior to come to the conclusion that ANSI formatting increases the likelihood that people will recognize a safety warning.

Three key points from ANSI Z535.6 and Conspicuity: A Test of the New State of the Art Format for Instructions:

• Elements of the Z535 standards increase the visibility of visual risk communications
• ANSI formatting does increase the likelihood that people will recognize a warning
• Some aspects of the Z535 standards increase people’s comprehension of safety warnings

Cost: $36/24-hour access to article online – Print article or download it as a PDF

8. The ANSI Z535.6 and How to Create Compliant Manuals for the US
@INSTRKTIV

TechComm expert Ferry Vermeulen is founder and business development director of INSTRKTIV. The company focuses on creating high-quality manuals that are useable and serve as a legal document to promote safety and proper use. Vermeulen shares this article on ANSI Z535.6 to detail how to create compliant manuals for products used and sold in the United States.

Three key points from The ANSI Z535.6 and How to Create Compliant Manuals for the US:

• ANSI Z535.6 directs companies in creating compliant manuals
• Collateral materials guided by ANSI Z535.6 are defined as any printed documentation that accompanies a product including manuals, safety warnings, and instruction pamphlets
• Safety messages may contain a signal word combined with safety alert symbols; signal words and safety alert symbols should be placed in the signal word panel of a safety message

Cost: FREE

9. ANSI.org Blog – Latest Headlines
@ansidotorg

The American National Standards Institute’s blog features the latest headlines and news concerning standards and compliance, including the Z535 standards. Blog visitors can search the archives for specific Z535 standards or information on the standards in general.

Three key posts from ANSI.org Blog – Latest Headlines:

• Voluntary Standards Cover the Spectrum: from Environmental and Facility Safety Signs to Medical Device Sterilization
• Silently Guiding Safety: American National Standards for Safety Signs and Colors
• Safety First: Two Revised American National Standards Protect Against Personal Injury

Cost: FREE

10. Applied Semiotics Communicating Silica Hazards Using New Best Practice Safety Sign Standards
@ASSE_Safety

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) works together for a safer, stronger future. Their ANSI Z535 article, written by ASSE member Geoffrey Peckham, examines the possibility of achieving better safety communication in the construction industry via new silica hazard safety signs that comply with ANSI Z535 safety sign standards and semiotics.

Three key points from Applied Semiotics Communicating Silica Hazards Using New Best Practice Safety Sign Standards:

• ANSI Z535 standards improve workplace safety
• Employers are responsible for posting safety signs in work areas with potential hazards; ANSI Z535.2 should be used for sign designs
• Signs in compliance with ANSI Z535.2 contain graphical symbols, standardized color-coding, and precise wording to alert workers to precise hazards

Cost: FREE

11. Changing Standards In Safety
@Law360

Law360 is a newswire for business lawyers that provides nonstop coverage of high-stakes litigation every business day. Their Changing Standards In Safety article provides expert analysis on the legal implications of ANSI Z535.6, because it is the first standard to provide guidance for manufacturers who draft safety information in manuals, instruction booklets, and other materials.

Three key points from Changing Standards In Safety:

• ANSI Z535.4 is not well-suited to collateral materials or for broad application beyond signs and labels
• Signal words are chosen based on degree or level of hazard seriousness and the likelihood and severity of harm that could occur if someone does not follow the safety message
• Complying with ANSI Z535.6 will provide product manufacturers with a strong defense in failure to warn claims

Cost: FREE for 7 days with email registration

12. Choosing the Right Product Safety Label Formats: A Critical Decision for Product Safety Engineers
@IEEEXplore

IEEE Xplore is a digital library that delivers full-text access to the world’s highest quality technical literature in electrical engineering, computer science, and electronics. Members and organizations can subscribe to IEE Xplore for access to trusted research in journals, conferences, standards, eBooks, and more, such as Geoffrey Peckham’s Choosing the Right Product Safety Label Formats: A Critical Decision for Product Safety Engineers.

Three key points from Choosing the Right Product Safety Label Formats: A Critical Decision for Product Safety Engineers:

• ANSI Z535 standards create a uniform system for communicating hazard information on a national level
• Manufacturers face a challenge in complying with ANSI Z535 standards while having an international audience that complies with global safety sign standards set forth by the ISO
• Product engineers can use certain strategies to develop safety labels that meet both ANSI Z535 standards and ISO standards; one strategy is to use custom signs to better meet compliance

Cost:

• PDF/HTML Purchase, Member Price: $14.95
• PDF/HTML Purchase, Non-Member Price: $33

13. Design Standards for Safety Warning Messages in Manuals: Increasing Design Saliency and Adapting for a Broader Range of Professional Communication Settings
@IowaStateU

Iowa State University student Rachel Roe’s scholarly paper examines extending ANSI Z535 standards to a broader range of professional communication settings. The paper includes a literature review of current safety warning message design standards and general design principles and an analysis of safety warning messages from owner’s manuals.

Three key points from Design Standards for Safety Warning Messages in Manuals: Increasing Design Saliency and Adapting for a Broader Range of Professional Communication Settings:

• The design of safety warning messages is crucial in protecting users
• A requirement of effective warnings is noticeability
• Owner’s manuals contain more information than signs, which makes increasing the visibility of their safety warning messages critical

Cost: FREE

14. Homeland Security Safety Symbols: Are We Ready?

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) put forth pictorial safety symbols to educate the public and enhance emergency preparedness. Authors Christopher B. Mayhorn, Michael S. Wogalter, and Jennifer L. Bell explore the efficacy of the DHS system in comparison with the ANSI Z535 standards.

Three key points from Homeland Security Safety Symbols: Are We Ready?:

• ANSI Z535.3 requires that at least 85% of answers from a sample of 50 or more people should correctly identify the message being communicated via a pictorial safety symbol
• People should exhibit no more than 5% critical confusions, according to ANSI Z535.3
• The usage of symbols helps people who cannot understand or read printed text warnings to be warned of hazards in their environment

Cost: FRE

15. It’s a Gray Area: Arc Flash Label Colors
@ECmagdotcom

In his EC Magazine article, Jim Phillips acknowledges that determining which color to make arc flash warning labels is a good question with more than one possible answer. As Phillips points out, ANSI Z535.4 includes definitions of “danger,” “warning,” and “caution,” or signal words. The standard states that each word has an appropriate color which is why there is confusion about the correct answer.

Three key points from It’s a Gray Area: Arc Flash Label Colors:

• Some people in the industry use a two-color approach
• When deciding whether to use red for danger or orange for warning in arc flash labels, people look to the calculated incident energy
• ANSI Z535 standards leave industry professionals questioning which colors to use, and customized signs are the better option for compliance

Cost: FREE

16. NESC and ANSI Z535 Safety Sign Standards for Electric Utility Power Plants and Substations
@IncidentPrevent

Incident Prevention Magazine is a leading safety publication for the utility, municipality, and communications industry. Allen L. Clapp’s Incident Prevention article highlights a few key changes in the ANSI Z535 standards and includes a detailed comparison of ANSI Z535.2, Z535.4, Z535.5, and Z535.6 in relation to signal words.

Three key points from NESC and ANSI Z535 Safety Sign Standards for Electric Utility Power Plants and Substations:

• ANSI Z535.2, ANSI Z535.3, and ANSI Z535.5 specify attributes of appropriate safety signs and labels for utility use
• Single-color signal word panels do not have a black  surround shape and include the international safety alert symbol containing an exclamation point within a triangle
• Environmental and facility safety signs communicate environmental hazards to observers in the area and are larger and contain less information than product safety signs and labels to allow observers to understand them clearly at greater distances

Cost: FREE

17. New Editions of ANSI Standards for Warnings
@IEEEXplore

New Editions of ANSI Standards for Warnings is a scholarly paper made available by IEEE Xplore digital library. The paper outlines changes made to the ANSI Z535 standards in 2011, including creating a new signal word category for safety instructions, a new definition of the signal word “notice,” and more.

Three key points from New Editions of ANSI Standards for Warnings:

• The ANSI Z535 committee continues to discuss accounting for safety information via electronic media
• Use the most up-to-date Z535 standards because they often include modifications of signal word letter height requirements to accommodate safety signs with limited space
• Z535 standards aim for consistency

Cost:

• PDF/HTML Purchase, Member Price: $14.95
• PDF/HTML Purchase, Non-Member Price: $33

18. New Standard Causes Manufacturers to Review Product Manuals and Instruction Sheets

The Law Offices of Robert J. McGuirl examines how changing ANSI Z535 standards affect manufacturers in this article. Specifically, the article discusses how ANSI Z535.4 failed to provide guidelines for collateral materials and how ANSI Z535.6 fills in the gaps.

Three key points from New Standard Causes Manufacturers to Review Product Manuals and Instruction Sheets:

• Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their manuals, instruction sheets, and collateral materials comply with ANSI Z535.6
• Even though using color is not mandatory in collateral materials, manufacturers should ensure the use of ANSI Z535.1 safety colors when they do include color in those materials
• ANSI Z535.6 targets product safety information in9manuals, guides, instructions, and similar materials, and manufacturers should comply with the standard to help prevent injuries

Cost: FREE

19. Safety Signs 102 – ANSI Z535 Standards Overview

Steve Nichol, CEO of Technical Publication Associates, Inc., is an industrial product marketing documentation specialist who shares his knowledge of ANSI Z535 in this article via LinkedIn. The article is part of a series on the ANSI Z535 safety standards and provides a thorough overview of them.

Three key points from Safety Signs 102 – ANSI Z535 Standards Overview:

• Manufacturers rely on ANSI Z535 standards to create hazard labels for products and their supporting manuals
• ANSI Z535.2 describes the five types of safety signs and how ANSI Z535.4, Z535.5, and Z535.6 apply to them
• ANSI Z535.4 includes a new type of product safety sign, the safety instruction sign

Cost: FREE

20. Safety Signs, Labels and Tags
@IAEI

The International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) plays a cohesive role among electrical inspectors, testing agencies, standards organizations, manufacturers, distributors, and contractors. David Young’s IAEI article provides a brief explanation of ANSI Z535 and examines how the National Electrical Safety Codes (NESC) reference the ANSI standards.

Three key points from Safety Signs, Labels and Tags:

• Symbols and pictures included in ANSI Z535 standards are critical for conveying safety messages to people of varying reading and comprehension skill levels
• ANSI Z535.3 includes a suggested procedure for evaluating symbols because symbols should undergo testing to ensure people can understand their meanings
• The safety alert symbol of an exclamation point inside a triangle should not be used on a caution sign meant to prevent property damage

Cost: FREE

21. Safety Symbols Revised
@QualityDigest

Quality Digest promotes continuous improvement in quality management, manufacturing, test and measurement, healthcare, supply chains, and services. Their article on safety symbols reminds readers that safety signs and labels should be consistent and contain bold graphics to warn people against hazards that could cause personal injury.

Three key points from Safety Symbols Revised:

• ANSI Z535 includes a communication system using signal words and colors to distinguish between hazard levels
• ANSI Z535 standards specify requirements for designing and using safety tags and barricade tapes and establish a uniform, consistent layout for visual safety information
• Industry professionals should regularly check for ANSI Z535 updates to ensure they are using the proper colors and symbols on their safety warning labels

Cost: FREE

22. Signal Words: Field-Applied Hazard Markings and the NEC
@ECmagdotcom

Michael Johnston’s EC Magazine article examines the requirements put into place by the 201 National electoral Code (NEC) for field-applied hazard warning markings, signs, and labels. Johnson also explains when to use the NEC rules, OSHA signal words, and ANSI Z535.4 guidelines for developing safety signs and labels for electrical equipment.

Three key points from Signal Words: Field-Applied Hazard Markings and the NEC:

• When using signal words, additional requirements apply behind the NEC; OSHA signal words included in the ANSI Z535 standard must follow a hierarchy of degree of hazard
• Signs and labels also must include a color code relating to the signal words
• Updated rules for field-applied hazard markings require effective and consistent hazard warnings including the appropriate words, colors and symbols; maintaining compliance involves referencing the ANSI Z535 standards

Cost: FREE

23. The Significance of Product Safety Signs and Labels in ANSI Z535
@ansidotorg

An article featuring links to NEMA podcasts on the ANSI Z535 standards, The Significance of Product Safety Signs and Labels in ANSI Z535 also provides an introduction and overview of the standards. Author Brad Kelechava also provides a brief history of the standards.

Three key points from The Significance of Product Safety Signs and Labels in ANSI Z535:

• The ANSI Z535 standards are comprised of six standards and one supplementary document, the safety color chart
• ANSI Z535.4 grants manufacturers in a wide range of industries the ability to communicate safety concerns effectively via harmonized warning labels and signs
• ANSI Z535.4 is built on the legal definition of what constitutes an adequate hazard warning

Cost: FREE

24. Updated Standards: More Guidance for Warnings and Instructions

Product Liability Prevention is a website established and maintained by Kenneth Ross, a leading practitioner in PLP. Ross’s PLP article, Updated Standards: More Guidance for Warnings and Instructions, examines how the ANSI Z535 standards have provided manufacturers with guidance for creating safety labels.

Three key points from Updated Standards: More Guidance for Warnings and Instructions:

• Complying with ANSI Z535 standards helps companies have a strong legal defense because the law includes providing warnings on products via safety labels, safety information in instructions, instructions that describe how to use a product safely, and safety information in other forms of communication
• ANSI Z535 provides the basis for developing a safety label system, and ANSI Z535.4 sets forth performance requirements for designing, applying, using, and placing safety labels
• ANSI Z535.4 states that a symbol or pictorial is a graphic representation that should convey a message without the use of words

Cost: FREE

25. What is ANSI?
@ASQ

ASQ is a global knowledge network linking the best ideas, tools, and experts. Their article explains the role and mission of the American National Standards Institute and gives readers a better understanding of the organization that develops the Z535 standards.

Three key points from What is ANSI? :

• ANSI is a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and plays an active role in its governance
• Creating voluntary standards in the U.S. is guided by ANSI’s principles of consensus, due process, transparency, and openness and relies on data-gathering and compromises among stakeholders
• ANSI standards speed market acceptance of products and clearly sate how to improve the safety of the products for the protection of consumers

Cost: FREE

26. What is ANSI Z535?
@HubPagesDotCom

Technical writer and engineer Tamara White guides readers through the ANSI Z535 standards in her HubPages article. White covers all six standards and the safety color code in addition to safety sign formats and related standards.

Three key points from What is ANSI Z535?:

• While ANSI Z535 standards are not mandatory, they are commonly followed by safety sign manufacturers to meet compliance and avoid legal action
• Danger signs use safety colors and symbols in addition to text and to warn people about how to avoid or mitigate hazards
• ANSI Z535.1 sets forth technical definitions, color standards, and color tolerances for the ANSI Z535 safety colors

Cost: FREE

Books

27. Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics

Available as an eBook, Gabriel Salvendy’s Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics is 1752 pages in length. The fourth edition has been totally revised and updated and includes new chapters on topics including user requirements and managing low-back disorder risk in the workplace.

Three key topics from Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics:

• Recommendations in selected warning systems
• Signal words and color coding set forth by ANSI Z535 standards
• Symbols, pictographs, and arrangements deemed appropriate by ANSI Z535

Cost:

• Printed book: *Approx. $225.28
• eBook: $202.39

28. Information Design: Research and Practice

Edited by Alison Black, Paul Luna, Ole Lund, and Sue Walker, and including a foreword by Erik Spiekermann, Information Design: Research and Practice combines theory and methods with case studies from leading information designers in professional practice. The illustrations provide references for people who design documents, signs, and other materials that need to comply with ANSI Z535.

Three key topics from Information Design: Research and Practice:

• ANSI Z535 graphical symbols and symbol signs
• ANSI Z355 comparisons to ISO standards
• Formats, colors, and symbols for safety signs

Cost:

• Printed book: *Approx. $79.95
• eBook: $63.96

29. International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors

A three-volume set, International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors is available in its second edition. Edited by human factors and ergonomics expert Professor Waldemar Karwowski, this book is intended for ergonomics professionals. It is of special interest to those who need to understand how humans interact with safety systems guided by ANSI Z535 standards.

Three key topics from International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors:

• Role of ANSI Z535 standards in designing and assessing warning labels and signs
• The evolution of ANSI Z535 standards
• The importance of considering ANSI Z535 standards as minimum requirements for conveying hazards

Cost:

• Printed book: *Approx. $1,156
• eBook: $924.80

30. Occupational Ergonomics: Principles of Work Design

Edited by Waldemar Karwowski and William S. Marras, Occupational Ergonomics: Principles of Work Design is divided into two parts and covers background for the profession of ergonomics and the foundations of ergonomics knowledge. The book focuses on ergonomics of system design.

Three key topics from Occupational Ergonomics: Principles of Work Design:

• Ergonomics provisions in relation to ANSI Z535 standards
• ANSI Z535.2 requirements
• ANSI Z535 signal words, messages, and symbols

Cost:

• Printed book: *Approx. $159.95
• eBook: $127.96

Forums

31. ANSI Z535 – Series of Standards for Safety Signs and Tags
@ArcFlash

Arc Flash Forum is a global community for all arc flash and electrical safety discussions. Their ANSI Z535 discussion thread centers on words, colors, and symbols for signs and labels that warn about electrical hazards.

Three key points from ANSI Z535 – Series of Standards for Safety Signs and Tags:

• Current ANSI Z535 standards are nearly identical to GHS labeling requirements
• Facilities customize signs to ensure better compliance for their particular situations
• The signal word “danger” should be reserved for extreme situations

Cost: FREE

32. ANSI Z535.1 Safety Colors in Frame
@AdobeForums

A discussion thread featuring more than 20 replies, ANSI Z535.1 Safety Colors in Frame considers which colors should be used in materials that are available to the public from a random PDF viewer or color printer. The thread also points to questions about values and colors to be used for ISO 3864-1.

Three key points from ANSI Z535.1 Safety Colors in Frame:

• Check to see which colors are being used in Acrobat X
• Consider optimal sRGB values for safety colors
• It is imperative to get as close as possible to true safety colors

Cost: FREE

33. ANSI Z535.4 &(or) ISO3864 Graphical Symbol Library?
@autodesk

Autodesk is 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software and services. Their AutoCAD Electrical Forum invites participants to share their knowledge, ask questions, and explore popular topics. This ANSI Z535 discussion thread explores questions from users who are confused about which symbols to use to maintain compliance.

Three key points from ANSI Z535.4 &(or) ISO3864 Graphical Symbol Library?:

• To remain in compliance, it is important to purchase labels from a source that adheres to the ANSI Z535 standards
• It is important to use consistent, compliant symbols
• Many software symbol libraries do not contain all graphical symbols required for ANSI Z535 standards

Cost: FREE

General Information

34. American National Standard for Product Safety Signs and Labels
@NEMAupdates

Published by NEMA and made available online by Davis Associates, Inc., this general information resource includes a foreword explaining the evolution of the ANSI Z535 standards and an in-depth look at ANSI Z535.4.

Three key points from American National Standard for Product Safety Signs and Labels:

• ANSI Z535.4 is designed specifically for product safety signs and labels
• Z535.4 combines several previous graphic approaches into a common design guideline intended to present product hazard information in an orderly, visually consistent manner for the most effective communication
• Due to the differences in environmental and facility safety signs and product safety signs and labels, manufacturers and facilities must ensure proper use of ANSI Z535.2 and Z535.4

Cost: FREE

35. ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
@DataCenterTT

SearchDataCenter.com is TechTarget’s data center management resource for design, infrastructure and operations, energy efficiency, disaster recovery, and more. Margaret Rouse’s SearchDataCenter resource, ANSI (American National Standards Institute), explains that ANSI works with industry groups and is a member of the ISO and International Electrotechincal Commission (IEC).

Three key features of ANSI (American National Standards Institute):

• Provides a sound definition of the organization responsible for developing technology standards in the United States, including the Z535 standards
• Includes links to more information about how the adoption of ANSI standards accelerates other processes
• Includes links to standards relating to ANSI Z535

Cost: FREE

36. ANSI Z535 & ISO Safety Symbols
@SafetyHow

SafetyHow is an internet-based community centering on safety. Their ANSI Z535 & ISO Safety Symbols is a general resource that details the use of safety symbols to ensure compliance. The resource also covers the four types of safety symbols identified by ANSI Z535.5.

Three key points from ANSI Z535 & ISO Safety Symbols:

• Appropriate safety symbols should identify the hazard, a means of avoiding the hazard, and ways to identify the consequences of failing to avoid the hazard
• Safety symbols should clarify or reiterate the text on a label
• ANSI Z535.5 includes hazard alerting, mandatory action, prohibition, and information safety symbols

Cost: FREE

37. ANSI Z535 Brief Description of All Six Standards and Safety Color Chart
@NEMAupdates

The ANSI Z535 Color Chart and standards are the focus of this general resource from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. The resource includes links to each standard and the color chart for quick, easy reference.

Three key points from ANSI Z535 Brief Description of All Six Standards and Safety Color Chart:

• Consult the color chart for correct information concerning ink specifications for Z535 safety colors
• Use the ANSI Z535 standards as a comprehensive source of guidelines for designing, applying, and using safety signs, colors, and symbols
• Temporary hazards also should be identified using safety tags and barricade tapes

Cost: FREE

38. New ANSI Z535 Series 2011 Editions for Safety Signs, Symbols, Labels and Tags is Due to be Released
@Document_Center

Document Center, Inc. is home to standards library experts. As such, they announced the 2011 updates to the ANSI Z535 standards and provided an overview of the updates ahead of their release. This resource is a useful source of information about the standards and provides a thorough overview of the changes made to each standard.

Three key points from New ANSI Z535 Series 2011 Editions for Safety Signs, Symbols, Labels and Tags is Due to be Released:

• All six standards were revised in 2011
• Safety tags and barricade tapes should not be used in place of permanent signs or labels intended for hazards in normal use, operation, or maintenance
• If hang tags are used to supplement permanent safety signs, the tag should comply with ANSI Z535.4 or ANSI Z535.2

Cost: FREE

39. Safety Signs 101 – Looking at ANSI Z535 Safety Alerting Standards

Technical Publication Associates, Inc. CEO Steve Nichol produced a series of resources and articles explaining the ANSI Z535 standards. Safety Signs 101 is the first of that series and provides an introduction and overview of the Z535 standards.

Three key points from Safety Signs 101 – Looking at ANSI Z535 Safety Alerting Standards:

• Manufacturers must be as informed as possible on the guidelines set forth by the ANSI Z535 standards for safety signs and labels
• When creating or placing safety signs, you should consult the full set of standards to ensure compliance
• The most compliant safety signs are easy to read and understand

Cost: FREE

40. Silently Guiding Safety: American National Standards for Safety Signs and Colors
@ansidotorg

ANSI provides Silently Guiding Safety: American National Standards for Safety Signs and Colors, a resource that will help guide manufacturers and other professionals in communicating safety information using the ANSI Z535 standards. The resource also includes links to previous standards and their revisions to provide a thorough overview to users.

Three key features of Silently Guiding Safety: American National Standards for Safety Signs and Colors:

• Links to related information from NEMA
• Links to each separate Z535 standard
• Links to the ANSI/NEMA Z535 safety color chart

Cost: FREE

41. Update on ANSI Z535.6

In this ANSI Z535.6 resource, Applied Safety and Ergonomics, Inc. provides information on the most recently added Z535 standard. The authors explain the need for the new standard and highlight its scope and components throughout the resource.

Three key points from Update on ANSI Z535.6:

• ANSI Z535.6 is necessary because ANSI Z535.4 is not applicable to collateral materials
• Information on safety signs and labels does not need to be integrated with surrounding, non-safety information as it does in collateral materials
• ANSI Z535.6 provides a hazard communication system developed especially for product safety information in collateral materials

Cost: FREE

Guides and How-Tos

42. American National Standard Environmental and Facility Safety Signs
@ansidotorg
@NEMAupdates

 

This ANSI resource serves as a guide for complying with ANSI Z535.2 when creating and using environmental and facility safety signs. It provides an overview of safety symbols and safety colors and includes guidelines for the application of the standard.

Three key points from American National Standard Environmental and Facility Safety Signs:

• ANSI Z535.2 has evolved to better describe the five types of safety signs used in facilities and the environment
• Take care to use “accident,” “harm,” and “incident” properly
• Always refer to the ANSI Z535 Safety Color Chart to determine accurate colors for safety signs

Cost: FREE

43. American National Standard For Safety Color Code
@Scribd

Scribd provides access to books, audiobooks, news, and magazines. It also provides access to guides such as American National Standard for Safety Color Code, which centers on ANSI Z535.1.

Three key points from American National Standard For Safety Color Code:

• New safety signs, labels, symbols, and colors should comply with ANSI Z535
• Rely on the Safety Color Chart’s PANTONE color reference when you need to specify a safety color
• The Safety Color Code should supplement proper warnings of hazardous conditions; as such, physical hazards should never simply be marked with a standard color

Cost: FREE

44. ANSI Z535 Color Chart
@NEMAupdates

Manufacturers, facility managers, and others who want to ensure compliance with the ANSI Z535 standards find it challenging to comply with the Z535 Safety Color Chart when the colors printed in some publications and viewed online may not be accurate. ANSI encourages the use of its color chart to ensure compliance.

Three key features of ANSI Z535 Color Chart:

• 2011 designation with updated and corrected information
• Includes ink specifications for the Z535 safety colors
• Available in electronic or hardcopy

Cost:

• Electronic copy: $44
• Hardcopy: $44

45. ANSI Z535 Color Chart 

Techstreet offers its ANSI Z535 Color Chart for purchase by individuals or organizations that need to comply with the ANSI Z535 safety colors. The chart applies to all six standards and provides printed examples of all safety colors.

Three key features of ANSI Z535 Color Chart:

• ANSI approved
• For use with the ANSI Z535 Standards Series
• Available in three formats

Cost:

• Secure PDF: $44
• Printed Edition: $44
• Printed Edition + PDF: $59

46. Army Guidelines for Safety Color Codes, Signs, Tags, and Markings

The Army Publishing Directorate (APD) published this unclassified guide for safety colors, signs, tags, and markings to ensure compliance and consistency for Army installations, facilities, and operations. The guide also establishes Army criteria for safety colors that will inform people of appropriate safety precautions to take in the presence of hazards.

Three key points from Army Guidelines for Safety Color Codes, Signs, Tags, and Markings:

• Failing to designate specific hazards could lead to accidental injury or property damage
• ANSI Z535 standards must be followed to ensure compliance with Army, Army National Guard, U.S. Army reserve, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Civil Works
• Safety alert symbols, colors, and signal words should comply with ANSI Z535

Cost: FREE

47. Graphic Symbols for Precautionary Labels
@WeldingCareers

The American Welding Society (AWS) advances the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes around the globe. Their Safety and Health Fact Sheet No. 14 serves as a guide for creating and using graphic symbols for precautionary labels.

Three key points from Graphic Symbols for Precautionary Labels:

• Graphic symbols set forth by ANSI Z535 may be referred to as pictographs, pictograms, or pictorials
• Graphic symbols must represent or symbolize a hazard and provide non-verbal communication about the potential hazard
• Symbols are recommended because they protect nonreaders in addition to readers

Cost: FREE

48. Material Selection Guide
@MPofCinci

Metalphoto of Cincinnati (MPC) is a leading manufacturer of custom nameplates, panel faceplates, overlays, labels, and signs. Their Material Selection Guide emphasizes the need for durable, custom safety signs to maintain compliance with ANSI Z535.

Three key points from Material Selection Guide:

• Choosing an appropriate, durable material substrate for safety signs affects their usability and your compliance
• Printing techniques also affect your safety sign compliance
• Consider the environment in which you will place your safety signs to ensure you choose appropriate materials and printing techniques

Cost: FREE

49. Standard: NEMA – ANSI Z535.3 Criteria for Safety Symbols
@Engineering_360

Engineering360 is a popular online destination for engineers that delivers critical analysis, information, tools, product research, and community. They offer the NEMA/ANSI Z535.3 standard for individual purchase. This guide explicitly states general criteria for designing, evaluating, and using safety symbols for identifying and warning against specific hazards.

Three key features of Standard: NEMA – ANSI Z535.3 Criteria for Safety Symbols:

• Promotes the adoption and use of uniform an effective safety symbols for safety communication
• Provides a procedure for evaluating image effectiveness in communicating safety messages
• Includes considerations for graphic design of safety symbols

Cost:

• Single User Secure PDF: $150
• Print: $150
• PDF + Print: $201

50. Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards; Signage
@OSHA_DOL

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes standards and requests comments on proposed rule making. Their document, Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards; Signage, serves as a guide for employers to the proposed updates to align with the ANSI Z353 standards.

Three key points from Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards; Signage:

• Employers must have appropriate guidance on which standards to meet for compliance
• ANSI and NEMA encourage employers to purchase signs and tags that comply with the latest ANSI Z535 standards even if OSHA does not update its standards
• The latest version of the ANSI Z535 standards provide a better level of protection than former versions of the ANSI standards cited in OSHA’s standards

Cost: FREE