Danger and caution sign requirements

Signs and symbols required by 1926.200 must be visible at all times while work is being performed and must be removed or covered promptly when the hazards no longer exist. See 1926.200 for the visibility and removal requirement.

• Keep signs in place and legible while the hazardous work or condition exists.
• Remove or cover the sign as soon as the hazard is eliminated so workers are not confused by outdated warnings.

(Reference: 1926.200).

Danger signs must be used only where an immediate hazard exists, and they must follow the specifications shown in the referenced ANSI figures. See 1926.200(b)(1) which requires following Figure 1 of ANSI Z35.1-1968 or Figures 1–13 of ANSI Z535.2-2011 as incorporated by reference in 1926.6.

• Use Danger signs only for hazards that present an immediate danger of serious injury or death.
• Use the artwork, colors, and layout prescribed by the ANSI figures incorporated by reference.

Danger signs must have red as the predominating color in the upper panel, a black outline on the borders, and a white lower panel for additional sign wording. See 1926.200(b)(2).

• Upper panel: predominately red.
• Borders: black outline.
• Lower panel: white background for extra wording, with contrasting lettering for readability.

Caution signs should be used only to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices, and they must follow the specifications shown in the referenced ANSI figures. See 1926.200(c)(1) which references Figure 4 of ANSI Z35.1-1968 or Figures 1–13 of ANSI Z535.2-2011 as incorporated by reference in 1926.6.

• Use Caution for potential (non-immediate) hazards or unsafe practices.
• Match sign design to the incorporated ANSI figures for consistency and compliance.

Caution signs must have yellow as the predominating color, a black upper panel and borders with the word “CAUTION” in yellow letters on the black panel, and a lower yellow panel for additional wording in black letters; letters used against a yellow background must be black and colors must match the ANSI samples. See 1926.200(c)(2) and 1926.200(c)(3).

• Predominant background: yellow.
• Upper panel and borders: black with “CAUTION” in yellow letters.
• Additional wording: black letters on the lower yellow panel.
• Color shades: use the opaque glossy samples specified in the incorporated ANSI Table (see 1926.6).

Exit signs, when required, must have letters lettered in legible red not less than 6 inches high, and the principal stroke of the letters must be at least three-fourths inch in width on a white field. See 1926.200(d).

• Letter height: minimum 6 inches.
• Stroke width (principal stroke): at least 3/4 inch.
• Background: white field with red letters to ensure legibility.

Safety instruction signs must be white with a green upper panel and white letters to convey the principal message; any additional wording must be black letters on the white background. See 1926.200(e).

• Upper panel: green with white letters for the main safety instruction.
• Additional wording: black text on the white portion for clarity and contrast.

Directional signs (other than automotive traffic signs) must be white with a black panel and a white directional symbol. See 1926.200(f).

• Background: white.
• Panel: black with a white directional symbol for clear visibility and consistency with the standard.

At points of hazard, construction areas must be posted with legible traffic control signs and protected by traffic control devices, and the design and use of those devices must conform to Part 6 of the MUTCD as incorporated by reference. See 1926.200(g)(1) and 1926.200(g)(2).

• Post clear, legible signs at hazard points to warn vehicle operators and workers.
• Use barricades, markings, signals, and other devices that meet the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Part 6 requirements for temporary traffic control.

No — accident prevention tags are intended as a temporary means of warning employees of an existing hazard and shall not be used in place of, or as a substitute for, accident prevention signs. See 1926.200(h)(1).

• Use tags for temporary warnings (e.g., defective tools or equipment) but not as a permanent replacement for required signs.
• If a permanent or long-term hazard exists, post a proper accident prevention sign following the sign specifications in this subpart.

Accident prevention tags must follow specifications similar to those shown in Figures 1–4 of ANSI Z35.2-1968 or Figures 1–8 of ANSI Z535.5-2011, which are incorporated by reference in 1926.6; see 1926.200(h)(2).

• Use tag designs that match the incorporated ANSI specifications for shape, color, and wording to ensure clear communication of temporary hazards.
• Treat tags as temporary controls and ensure they are understood by employees.

Additional rules are contained in the ANSI standards referenced by 1926.200 — ANSI Z35.1-1968, ANSI Z535.2-2011, ANSI Z35.2-1968, and ANSI Z535.5-2011 — which are incorporated by reference in 1926.6; see 1926.200(i).

• Consult the incorporated ANSI documents for detailed artwork, dimensions, color samples, and additional sign rules.
• Use the ANSI guidance to ensure signs meet the agency’s visual and wording expectations.

Each sign type specifies colors for additional wording: Danger signs use a white lower panel for extra wording, Caution signs use a yellow lower panel with black lettering, and Safety Instruction signs use black letters for additional wording on the white background. See 1926.200(b)(2), 1926.200(c)(2), and 1926.200(e).

• Danger: white lower panel for extra wording (use contrasting lettering).
• Caution: lower yellow panel with black lettering for additional wording.
• Safety Instruction: additional wording must be black on the white background.

No — paragraph (f) covers directional signs other than automotive traffic signs; automotive traffic signs are addressed under the traffic control provisions in paragraph (g). See 1926.200(f) and 1926.200(g).

• Use the white/black/white directional format in (f) for non-automotive wayfinding.
• For road and vehicle control at construction sites, follow the posting and device rules in (g), which require conformity with the MUTCD.

The standard requires using specific color samples from the incorporated ANSI tables — for caution signs the colors must be those of opaque glossy samples specified in Table 1 of ANSI Z53.1-1967 or Table 1 of ANSI Z535.1-2006(R2011) as incorporated by 1926.6; see 1926.200(c)(3).

• Use the ANSI color sample tables incorporated by reference to match acceptable shades and finishes.
• The incorporation by reference means those ANSI color samples are the agency-accepted standards for compliance.

Accident prevention tags are meant only as a temporary means of warning employees of an existing hazard, such as defective tools or equipment, and are not appropriate for long-term hazards; they must not substitute for accident prevention signs. See 1926.200(h)(1).

• For long-term or ongoing hazards, install the appropriate permanent sign per the sign type and ANSI specifications.
• Reserve tags for short-term conditions and ensure they comply with the ANSI guidance referenced in 1926.200(h)(2).

Conformity to the ANSI figures referenced in the section is required because those figures are incorporated by reference into the OSHA construction sign rules via 1926.6; see, for example, 1926.200(b)(1) and 1926.200(c)(1).

• Use the incorporated ANSI artwork, colors, and layouts to meet OSHA’s expectations.
• If in doubt, consult the specific ANSI figures referenced by the applicable 1926.200 paragraph for exact guidance.

In practice, 'legible traffic control signs' means signs at points of hazard must be clear, readable at the distance needed for drivers and workers to react, and properly placed and maintained; see 1926.200(g)(1).

• Use adequate letter size, contrast, and reflective materials where needed so signs can be seen under working conditions.
• Place signs where approaching personnel or vehicle operators have time to respond and ensure they are not obscured by equipment, materials, or weather.

Use an accident prevention tag as a temporary warning for defective equipment, but do not replace required signs with tags; tags must follow the ANSI-like specifications referenced in 1926.200(h)(1) and 1926.200(h)(2).

• Tag defective tools or equipment immediately to warn employees.
• If the hazard will persist or affect an area, also post the appropriate accident prevention sign per the other subsections of 1926.200.

Choose Danger signs only for immediate hazards that present a threat of serious injury or death, and use Caution signs for potential hazards or unsafe practices that are less immediately life-threatening; see 1926.200(b)(1) and 1926.200(c)(1).

• If an exposed condition could cause immediate serious harm use a Danger sign.
• If the hazard is possible or results from unsafe activity but is not immediately life-threatening, use a Caution sign.