User Guide

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Compliance – Resource Bulletins are reference summaries of rules which govern the design of signs and related products. These bulletins are not legal advice,
and are not intended for use in legal proceedings or inspections. Please do your own research, and seek professional advice from your inspector, lawyer, or other
professional who is familiar with your specific situation on signage requirements, compliance or installation.
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ANSI
Compliance – Resource Bulletin
ANSI Safety Signs
Overview:
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) was founded in 1918. It was created to make United States
businesses more competitive on a global scale. It is also meant to better the United States quality of life through
the use of standards, and by preserving the integrity of these standards. Standards are documents that provide
rules, guidelines, or characteristics for activities. ANSI was created to strengthen the U.S. within the global
economy while making sure that the products that consumers are using are safe for both them and the
environment. ANSI does not develop these standards itself. The Institute is responsible for accrediting standards
from other developers making decisions which effect these standards.
One important standard associated with ANSI is Z535. This standard explains the specifications for the safety
colors used in ANSI signs. This regulates the various colors so that all the signs are uniform which allows for them
to be easily recognized. Uniform colors used on signs helps identify hazards in the workplace (Z535.1-2017).
Resources:
ANSI.org: (Free) http://www.ansi.org/
ANSI Z535.2-2011 (R2017): ($$) http://webstore.ansi.org/
ANSI FAQ: (Free) http://www.ansi.org/about_ansi/faqs/faqs.aspx?menuid=1
ANSI Sign Requirements:
The standard, ANSI Z535.2-2011 (R2017), shows users the various requirements for a visual system of
identification related to the potential hazards in both facilities and in the environment. This standard shows the
design, application, and use of signs for this system. (Z535.2-2011 (R2017) (2.1)) The requirements for signs
include:
• Sign Header
o Triangle around exclamation point for personal injury hazard signs (safety alert symbol);
o Common size on hazard level signal words;
o Colors of the header are dictated by a hazard signal word;
o Additional information shown under ANSI Header Options section below.
• Signal Words
o All uppercase lettering (Z535.2-2011 (R2017) (8.1.1));
o Signal words (Danger, Warning and Caution) will use upper case sans serif letters;
o Notice will use italicized, upper case sans serif lettering (Z535.2-2011 (R2017) (8.1.1));
• Wording Format for Message Panel
o Left justified in the text area;
o Capital and small letters in paragraph form;
o It is essential to make the lettering a size that people with normal vision can easily read, both up
close and from a safe distance away. (Z535.2-2011 (R2017) (8.3.1))