COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

S T D - N E MZ 5 3 5 . 5 - E N G L A

L998

W b470247 0513778 343 W

ANSI 2535.5-1 998

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

for Accident Prevention Tags (for Temporary Hazards)

Secretariat National Electrical ManufacturersAssociation

Approved December 17,1997 American National Standards Institute

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

S T D - N E M A Z535.5-ENGL L998

M 6470247 0533979 2 B T

Ame rican National Standard

Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by ANSI that rethe quirements for due process, consensus, and othercriieria for approval have been met by the standards developer. Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards Review,substantialagreementhasbeenreachedbydirectlyandmateriallyaffected interests. Substantial agreement means much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity. Consensus requires thatall views and objections be considered, and that a concerted effort be made toward their resolution. The use of American National Standards is completely voluntary; their existence does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether he has approved standards or not, the from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures not conforming to the standards. The American National Standards Institute does not develop standardswill in no and circumstances give an interpretation of any American National Standard. Moreover, no person shall have the right or authority to issue an interpretation American of an National Standard the name of the American National Standards Institute. Requests in for interpretations should be addressed to the secretariat or sponsor whose name appears on the page ofthis standard. title
CAUTION NOTICE: This American National Standard may be revised or withdrawn at any time. The procedures of the American National Standards Institute require that action be taken periodically reaffirm, revise, or withdrawthis standard. Purchasers to of American National Standards may receive current information on standards by all calling or writingthe American National Standards Institute.

Published by
National Electrical Manufacturers Association 1300 N. 17th Street, Rosslyn, Virginia22209

Copyright O 1998 National Electrical Manufacturers Association All rights reserved

No part o this publication may be reproduced in any f form, inan electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without prior written permission the publisher. of

Printed in the United States America of

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

S T D - N E M A Z535.5-ENGL L998

= 6470247 0513q80 T T 1
ANSI 2535.51998

Table of Contents
1 2 3 4 Foreword ......................................................................................................................................... Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Scope and purpose Scope 2.1 ............................................................................................................................... 2.2 Purpose ............................................................................................................................. Definitions ......................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................. Accident prevention tag classifications 4.1 DANGER tags .................................................................................................................. 4.2 WARNING tags ................................................................................................................ 4.3 CAUTION tags ................................................................................................................. Tag format and color criteria .............................................................................................................. 5.1 Color ................................................................................................................................. 5.2 Safety alert symbol ........................................................................................................... 5.3 word Signal panel ............................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. 5.4 Message panel Tag location, attachment methods,life expectancy, authorization.................................................... 6.1 Tag location ...................................................................................................................... 6.2 Attachment methods ........................................................................................................ 6.3 Life expectancy ................................................................................................................ Authorization 6.4 .................................................................................................................... Letter style, viewing distance, tag size and shape ............................................................................ 7.1 Letter style ........................................................................................................................ 7.2 Viewing distancefietter height .......................................................................................... 7.3 size shape Tag and .......................................................................................................... Symbols/pictorials ............................................................................................................................. 8.1 General ............................................................................................................................ References........................................................................................................................................ Revisions 2001 .................................................................................................................................. Form for Proposals ............................................................................................................................

... 111
1 1 1 1

2 2 2
2

2
2

2 2 4
4 4 4 4

4 4 4

5
5

5 5 5
7
8

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

STD.NEMA
ANSI 2535.5-1 998

Z535.5-ENGL

1998

6470247 0513981 938

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

Foreword (This foreword is not part of American National Standard W35.5-1998.)

In 1979, the ANSI Committee on Safety Colors was combined with the ANSI Committee on Safety 253 235 Signs to form the ANSI 2535 Committee on Safety Signs and Colors. This committee has the following scope: To develop standards for the design, application, and use of signs, colors, and symbols intended to identify and warn against specific hazards and for other accident prevention purposes. Five subcommittees were created and assigned the tasks of updating the ANSI 235 Standards, and 253 and writing two new standards. The five standards include: ANSI 2535.1,Safety Color Code [ANSI2 3 1 -1979 was updated and combined into this standard in 5. 1991.] ANSI 2535.2,Environmental and Facility Safety Signs [ANSI 235.1-1972 and 235.4-1 were updated 972 and combined into this standard in 1991 .] ANSI 2535.3, Criteria for Safety Symbols [new in 19911 ANSI 2535.4,Product Safety Signs and Labels [newin 19911 ANSI 2535.5,Accident Prevention Tags (For Temporary Hazards) [ANSI 235.2-1974 was updated and combined into this standard in 1991 .] This standard was prepared by Subcommittee 2535-5on Accident Prevention Tags. Together, these five standards contain information needed to specify formats, colors, and symbols for safety signs usedin environmental and facility applications, product applications, and accident prevention tags.

2535 Immediately following publication in 1991, the Committee began to consider revisions to the standards. The committee carefully considered all suggestions which were submitted. All changes which the committee thought would improve safety, promote uniformity, make the standards clearer and easier to use are or included in this addition.
This standard was processed and approved for submittal to ANSI by the Accredited Standards Committee on Colors, ANSI 2535. Committee approval of this standard does not necessarily imply that all Safety Signs and committee members voted for approval. At the time it approved this standard, the its 2535 Committee had the following members: Gary M. Bell, Chairman Anthony L. Martino, Vice Chairman Ronald R. Runkles, Secretary
Organization Represented
Alliance of American Insurers American Societyof Safety Engineers

Name of Representative
John W. Russell J. Paul Frantz Howard A. Ewell Jr. (Alt.) Thomas F. Bresnahan (Alt.) A.F. Manz Marvin E. Kennebeck, Jr. (Alt.)

American Welding Society

... 111
COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

ANSI 2535.5-1 998

Association for Manufacturing Technology Caterpillar, Incorporated Chemical Manufacturers Association C.R. Bertolett Associates Construction Industry Manufacturers Association Coming, Incorporated Department ofthe Air Force Dorris &Associates, Incorporated Edison Electric Institute ENCON Safety Products Equipment Manufacturers Institute Federal Highway Administration FMC Corporation Hale Color Consultants Hand Tools Institute Hazard Communication Systems, Incorporated Hoist Manufacturers Institute Human Factors& Ergonomics Society Industrial Safety Equipment Association Information Technology Industry Council International Business Machines Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Incorporated International Staple,Nail and Tool Association Inter-Society Color Council Lab Safety Supply, Inc. Marhefka & Associates National Instituteof Standards and Technology National Electrical Manufacturers Association National Safety Council

Charles A. Carlsson James E. Carr Suzanne Croft Craig R. Bertolett Thomas A. Standard Martin Drott (Alt.) Steven E. De Martino William P Whitney (Alt.) . Les Kinkle Richard L. Baird (Alt.) Alan L. Doms David C. Young Janet Fox (Alt.) Matthew C. Mingoia (Alt.) Christopher Bollas Woodie Zachry (Alt.) L. Dale Baker Byron E. Dover James F Bennett . William N. Hale, Jr. Russ Szpot Geoffrey Peckham Walt Lockhart Michael S. Wogalter Kenneth R. Laughery (Alt.) Richard L. Fisk Carmen Taylor (Alt.) Grant F Ferris . William F Hanrahan (Alt.) . Diane B. Britton Anthony L. Martino (Alt.) Allen L. Clapp John Dagenhart (Alt.) Sue Vogel (Alt.) John Kurtz Fred W. Billmeyer Norbert L. Johnson (Alt.) Beth Miller James Verseweyzeld (Alt.) Russell E. Marhefka Belinda L. Collins Gerald L. Howett (Altg James F McElwee . Ronald R. Runkles (Alt.) Ron Koziol Joseph Slifka (Alt.) Carvin DiGiovanni Gary M. Bell Donald R. Scarbrough (Alt.) Blair Brewster Robin Kressin (Alt.) Harvey L. Bowles Trung Hiu (Alt.) Shelley Waters Deppa Larry Nandrea Lee Stone(Alt.) Donald T Meeker .

Pool Institute National Spa and National Spray Equipment Manufacturers Association
Nuclear Suppliers Association Rural Utilities Service Safety Behavior Analysis, Incorporated Safety Equipment Distributors Association Society of Environmental Graphic Designers

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

S T D m N E M A Z535.5-ENGL

2778

6470247 0533784 647

ANSI 2535.51 998

Society of the Plastics Industry, Machinery Division Loren Mills Drex Winsted(Alt.) Walter Bishop(Alt.) RobertSociety SafetySystem mpany 3M R.C. Bible David M. Bums (Alt.) Richard Patten(Alt) UARCO, Incorporated Will M. Garth James Moore (Alt.) Undetwriters Incorporated Laboratories, Richard Olesen Company Brady W.H. Thomas J. Felmer (Alt.)

Subcommittee 2535-5on Accident PreventionTags,which developed the standard, had followingm m the bers: Thomas A. Standard, Chairperson Ronald R. Runkles, Secretary
D. Baker G. Bell J. Carr

R. Fs ik R. Marhefka
W. Mathers L. Mills M. Mingoia K. Novak R. Olesen D. Scarbrough

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

STD-NEMZ535.5-ENGL A
ANSI 2535.51998

1994

= 6470247

0533985 583

Vi

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

American National Standard

for Accident PreventionTags (for Temporary Hazards)

with these standards may be considered for such particular industries or uses. It is not the intent of this ANSI 2535.5-1 998 standard to replace existing An accident prevention tag (safety tag, tag) a is standards or regulations, which are uniquely means of alerting persons to temporary hazards applicable to a specific industry or use. It is the often associated with installation, maintenance, intent to encourage adoption of this standard in repair, lockout, or other transient conditions.This subsequent revisions of other standards and standard provides guidance for the design and use regulations. of accident prevention tags. It employs the graphic principles set forth in ANSI 2535.4-1998, Producf SafefySigns and Labelsand ANSI2535.2-1 998,

1 Introduction

Environmental and Facility Safety Signs.

3 Definitions
3.1 accident: An Occurrence in a sequenceof events that produces unintended death, injury, or property damage.

2 Scope and purpose

2.1 scope

3.2 accident prevention tag (safety tag, tag): A device usually made card stock, paper, of An accident prevention tag shall used to identify be paperboard, plastic, or other material on which a temporary hazard. It shall be used only until such letters, markings, symbols, or combinations thereof, time as the identified hazard eliminated or the is appear for the purpose of alerting persons to the hazardous operationis completed. For example, an presence of a temporary hazard or hazardous accident prevention tag would be appropriate for condition created by situations such as shipment, use during IockouVtagout procedures. An accident setup, service, or repair. The tag is removed when prevention tag would be appropriate for use on a the damaged tool until the tool can be properly removed hazard or hazardous condition no longer exists. from the work area. Accident prevention tags would 3.3 colors: Colors specified in this standard shall be appropriate for use identify hazards exposed to conform to ANSI 2535.1 -1998. only during equipment troubleshooting procedures, A tag shall not be used place of a permanent sign in 3.4 hazard: A source of potential injuryto aperson or label intended for hazards normal use, operain or to property. tion, or maintenance. If a permanent sign or label is presented in a tag configuration, shall comply with it 3.5 Intent the provisions of ANSI 2535.4-1 998, or ANSI 2535.2-1 998. 3.5.1 may: This word is understood to be 2.2 Purpose

permissive.
3.5.2 shall: This word is understood to be mandatory.

The purpose ofthis standard is define the to requirements for the design and use of accident prevention tags. No other type of tag addressed is by this standard.
2.2.1 There are a number existing American of

353 should: This word is understood to be ..

advisory.

National Standards which are recognized for particular industries or specific use. Compliance

3 6 panel: Area of the accident prevention tag that .

is clearly delineated and cdntains a specific of type information.
1

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

ANSI 2535.51998

3.6.1 message panel: Area of the accident prevention tag that indicates written text, symbolic in form, or both written and symbolic form, specific the hazardous condition or the instruction to be communicated. 3.6.2 signal word panel: Area of the accident prevention tag that contains the signal word. For personal injury hazards, the signal word panel also contains the safety alert symbol (see Figure 1). 3.7 permanent facility environmental safety / sign: Signs used at fixed locations, such as to industrial facilities, to warn against exposure hazards in the environment. The sign permais nently attachedso that it cannot be easily removed.

4 Accident prevention tag classifications

4.1 DANGER tags. DANGER tags indicate an imminently hazardous situation which, not if avoided, will resultin death or serious injury. The signal word DANGER to be limited to the most is extreme situations. DANGER tags should not be used for property damage hazards unless personal injury risk appropriate to this level involved. is also 4.2 WARNING tags. WARNING tags indicate a potentially hazardous situation which, not avoided, if could resultin death or serious injury. WARNING tags should not be used for property damage hazards unless personal injury risk appropriate to this levelis also involved. 4.3 CAUTION tags. CAUTION tags indicate a potentially hazardous situation which,not avoided, if may result in minor or moderate injury. CAUTION tags may also be used alert against unsafe to practices that may cause property damage.

3.8 permanent product safety sign or label: Information affixed to product to warn against a exposure to hazards inherentin the normal use of or associated with product, or which might be the created during reasonably anticipated product use. The sign or label permanently attached to the is product so that it cannot be easily removed.

3.9 safety alert symbol: A symbol which indicates a potential personal injury hazard. is composed of It 5 Tag format and color criteria an equilateral triangle surrounding an exclamation mark. The safety alert symbol should not used be 5.1 Color to alert persons to property damage only accidents. Tag colors shall conform to ANSI 2535.1-1998 Safety Color Code. 5.2 Safety alert symbol 5.2.1 Color. When used in the preferred signal word panel formats shown section 5.3,the solid in triangle portion shall be the same color as the signal Figure 1 word lettering and the exclamation mark portion 3.10 signal word: The word or words that call shall be the same color as the signal word panel attention to the safety tag and designate a degree background. or level of hazard seriousness. The signal words for accident prevention tags are DANGER, WARNING, 5.2.2 Format. The safety alert symbol shall and CAUTION. precede the signal word. The base of the symbol shall beon the same horizontal line as the base of 3.11 symboUpictorial: A graphic representation the letters of the signal word. The height of the intended to convey a message. It may represent a safety alert symbol shall be equal to or exceed the hazard, a hazardous situation, a precaution to avoid signal wrd letter height. a hazard, the result of not avoiding a hazard, any or combination of these messages. 5.3 Signal word panel

All accident prevention tags shall contain a signal word which designates a degree or level of hazard seriousness. The signal word shallbe either
2
COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION. The signal word panel shall be located near the top of the tag, above the message panel.No other wordor symbol shall be used within these specified shapes or color arrangements. Two signal word panel formats are shown for each Figure 4 Preferred format the WARNING for signal word; a preferred format and an alternate on signal word panel black letters safety orange format. In order to achieve a national system for background, safety orange exclamation mark hazard identificationfor facility/environmental safety signs, product safety signs and labels, and temporary 5.3.2.2 Signal word panel alternate format. tags, the preferred format should used. The be Waming tags may, as an alternative, have the signal alternate format may be used if consistency with word 'WARNING" in safety black letters within a existing signsor tags is desired. safety orange truncated diamond on a safety black rectangular background. 5.3.1 DANGER tags

5.3.1.2 Signal wordpanel preferred format. Danger tags should have the signal word "DANGER" in safety white letters on a rectangular safety red background.

IWARNIN
-

Figure 5 Alternate format for the WARNING signal wordpanel - black letters safety on orange diamond on blackrectangle. Figure 2 Preferred format for the DANGER signal word panelwhite letters on safety red background, safety redexclamation mark.

5.3.3 CAUTION tags 5.3.3.1 Signal word panel preferred format. Caution tags should have the signal word "CAUTION" in safety black letters on a rectangular safety yellow background.

5.3.1.3 Signal wordpanel alternate format. Danger tagsmay, as an altemative, have the signal word "DANGER" in safety white letters a safety on red oval background with a safety white border on a safety black rectangular field.

Figure 6 Preferred format for theCAUTION signal wordpanel - black letters safety on yellow background, safety yellow exclamation mark Figure 3 -Alternate format for theDANGER signal wordpanel -white letters on safety red 5.3.3.2 Signal word panel alternate format. oval with white outline on black rectangle. Caution tags may, as an altemative, have the signal word "CAUTION"in safety yellow letters within a 5.3.2 WARNING tags safety black rectangular background.

5.3.2.1 Signal wordpanel preferred format. Warning tags should have the signal word WARNING" in safety black letters on a rectangular safety orange background.

Figure 7- Alternate format for theCAUTION signal wordpanel safety yellow letters on black background.

3
COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

S T D m N E M A Z535-5-ENGL L998
ANSI 2535.51 998

m 6470247 0513989 L27 m

theirrespeGtivehazards,or at the switches, levers or other points of control that would activate the haz5.3.4.1 Signal word panel. The safety alert symbol ards, and be readily visibleto the intended user. to is omitted on Caution tags used indicate property in Where other tags are used addition to an accident damage only accidents. These tags have the signal prevention tag, they should detract from the not word "CAUTION" in safety black letters on a impact or visibil'i of the signal word and major rectangular safety yellow background. message ofthe accident prevention tag.
5.3.4CAUTIONtags 6.2 Attachment methods

-propertydamageonly.

Tags shallbe affixed by a positive means such as string, wire, adhesive other connecting means that or reduce the likelihood of or unintentional removal. loss Figure 8 Property damage only CAUTION signal word panel black letters on safety The tag should be Strong enough to prevent accidenyellow background. tal removal and it is recommended when that tags, used with locks, should have a reinforced hole that is Message panel 5.4 enough big to shank. a accommodate lock

5.4.1 All accident prevention tags shall contain a message panel which indicates the specific hazardous condition or the instruction be communicated to or both. The message may be presentedin either written text, symbolic form, both written text and or symbolic form (See section 8.1). The message should be concise and readily understood.

6.3 Life expectancy

The tag shall be capable of withstanding the environment to which it is exposed for the maximum is expected period of time that the temporary hazard to exist.

6.4Authorization 5.4.2 A single tag shall address one topic The only. Facility/environmental accident prevention tags signal word panel should be reproduced on both should include a provision for identifying and sides of the tag. Eitherthe message panel,or tag. general support information, may be printed on thecontacting the person authorizing or applying the Tags usedfor product safety do not require this back of the tag. Examples of general support provision. information are: "Do not remove see reverse" or "Contact supervisor before removing."

5.4.3 Message panel color. The message panel shall be safety white for high contrastand for good legibility ofinformation.Lettering, or symbols,orboth shouldbesafetyblack.Otherhighcontrastcolor pairs may be used for symbolic and pictorial representations.

7 Letter style, viewing distance, tag size and shape

7.1 Letter style 7.1.1 shall words Signal upper case only.

be in sans in serif letters

6 Tag location, attachment methods, life expectancy, authorization

location 6.1 Tag

7.1.2 Message panel lettering should a combinabe tion of upper and lower case sans serif letters. Serif lettering text may messages. used be longer for Upper caseTonly lettering may used for short be individual or words. messages emphasis of 7.1.3 Examples of acceptable sans seriftype faces are shown in Figure 9.

Tags shall be aff xed as close as safely possible to

4
COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

'

AriaVHelvetica AriaVHelvetica Bold

Folio Medium Franklin Gothic Futura News Gothic Bold Meta Bold Univers
Figure 9

7.3 Tag sire and shape

The tag shall have a rectangular shape and shall be no smaller than3 in. x 5 in. (7.7 cm x 13.8 cm). The corners may be square cut, chamfered or rounded (see Figure1O).

8 Symbols/pictorials
8.1 General
8.1.1 Symbols and pictorials are graphic

representations chosento clearly convey a specific alerting message.

8.1.2 The conveyed message of a symbol/pictorial is to describe the type hazard, potential of consequences of the hazard, evasive/avoidance or 7.1.4 Handwritten tags should be legibly printed.If actions to be taken. When used, the symbol/ tags have preprinted lines guide the locationof to handwritten text, a suitable amount of space should pictorial must be compatible with the word message(s). exist between lines.

7.2 Viewing distancenetter height

The tag signal word shall be legible under normal viewing conditions at a distance 5 feet (1.52m)or of such greater distance warranted by the hazard. as Minimum signal word letter height should 318 be inch (.95 cm). Message panel text shallbe legible under normal viewing conditions.

8.2 SymboVpictorial use

Symbols and pictorials may used to clarify, be supplement or substitute for a portionthe word of message foundin the message panelof product safety signs. Symbols/pictorials that have not been validated for recognition may only be used to supplement or clarify the word message on the tag.

Chamfered
Corners

Square Cut Corners \

O

Rounded Corners

Siigned by
Cbate

Signed by Date

Signed by &ate

J
5

Figure 10

COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

9 References See the following documents for reference and information.

1. ANSI 2535.1 1998, Safety Color Code

2 ANSI 2535.2-1 998, . Environmental and Facility

Safety Signs
3. ANSI 2535.3-1 998, Criteria for

Safety Symbols

4. ANSI 2535.4-1998, Product Safety Signs and

Labels.

6
COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

Revisions 2001
The ANSI Accredited StandardsCommittee 2535 plans to issue the next revisions the of 2535 Standards (.l through .5) in December 2001. In order to meet that deadline, the committee developed the following tentative timetable: June due: are proposed changes All Revisions will finalized be for letter balloting: April completed Letter balloting beby: July will completed March Public reviews be by: will Drafts be to will submit ready to the publisher: May Published: 30,1999 11,2000 18,2000 1,2001 21,2001 15,2001

All proposed changes must be submitted June 30,1999. Any proposals received after by In that date will be deferred to subsequent revisions. order to facilitate the next revision, proposed changes must be submitted on a form for that specific purpose, which is on the this page. of back Please sendthis form to:
Secretary, ANSI Committee 2535 National Electrical Manufacturers Association 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1847 Rosslyn, VA 22209

7
COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services

S T D - N E M A Z535.5-ENGL
ANSI 2535.51998

L778

W 6470247 0533993 b5T

ANSI Accredited Standards Committee 2535 On Safety Signs and Colors F O R MF O RP R O P O S A L S

Return to: Secretary, ANSI ASC 2535 National Electrical Manufacturers Association 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1847 Rosslyn, VA 22209
#

Date

Representing
(Please indicate organization self.) or
1.

Standard Title a.

SectiodParagraph b.
2.

Proposal recommends

(check one):

New Text Revised Text Deleted Text

3.

F~opsal (Include the proposed new or revised or identify the words be deleted.) text, to

4.

Statement of the Problem or Substantiation for the Proposal

5.

Check one.

This proposal is original material. This proposal is not original material; its source is as follows:

(This original material the submitters own idea based upon his own experience, is thought, or research, and to the best hidher of knowledge, is not copied from another source.
I agree to giveNEMA all and full rights, including rights of copyright,in this proposal, andIunderstand thatIacquire no rights in any standardspublication in which this proposal this or another similar or analogous form in is used.

Signature
Please do not write in the space below.

Date Received

Log #

a
COPYRIGHT National Electrical Manufacturers Association Licensed by Information Handling Services