The use of safety signage in workplaces is governed by various regulations and standards to ensure the safety and health of employees. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the primary regulatory body. OSHA's regulations, particularly 29 CFR 1910.145, outline specifications for accident prevention signs and tags, including danger, caution, and safety instruction signs. These regulations specify the design, color, and placement of signs to ensure they are easily visible and understandable.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) also plays a significant role with its ANSI Z535 series, which provides guidelines on the design, application, and use of safety signs, colors, and symbols. ANSI Z535.1 to Z535.6 cover various aspects, including color codes, environmental and facility safety signs, product safety labels, and safety tags and barricade tapes.
In the European Union, the use of safety signage is governed by the Directive 92/58/EEC, which mandates the provision of safety and health signs at work. This directive requires signs to be clear, consistent, and standardized across member states, ensuring that they are easily recognizable and understandable by workers from different countries.
Internationally, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provides standards such as ISO 7010, which specifies safety signs' graphical symbols to ensure consistency and comprehension globally.
These regulations and standards ensure that safety signage effectively communicates hazards, guides safe practices, and complies with legal requirements, thereby reducing workplace accidents and injuries. Employers are responsible for implementing these standards to maintain a safe working environment.