Comparison of danger and caution sign standards for U. S. workplaces

摘要

This paper compares the three most significant standards for safety signs used in occupational environments in the United States. Two of the standards are regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The third standard is from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Signs compared are the familiar danger and caution signs. The first comparison was the basis for determining whether a danger sign or a caution sign is appropriate for a particular hazard. The OSHA standards are based on a single criterion - whether the hazard is an immediate or potential threat. The ANSI standard is more complex, using three criteria. Another disadvantage of the ANSI standard is there are many hazardous situations for which neither a danger nor caution sign is appropriate. The second comparison was the signal word panel format. The ANSI standard has preferred and alternate formats for danger and for caution signs. Employers may use the preferred format for danger signs without violating OSHA requirements. However, employers must use the alternate format for caution signs in order to comply with OSHA.