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ANSI Z535.6-2016 Revision of ANSI Z535.6-2011

American National Standard

Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials

ANSI Z535.6-2016, v0.0

ANSI Z535.6-2016Revision of

ANSI Z535.6-2011

American National Standard


Secretariat:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Approved XXXXX, 2016Published XXXXX, 2016

American National Standards Institute, Inc.

ANSI Z535.6-2016, v0.0

DISCLAIMER

The information in this publication was considered technically sound by the consensus of persons engaged in the development and approval of the document at the time it was developed. Consensus does not necessarily mean that there is unanimous agreement among every person participating in the development of this document.

NEMA standards and guideline publications, of which the document contained herein is one, are developed through a voluntary consensus standards development process. This process brings together volunteers and/or seeks out the views of persons who have an interest in the topic covered by this publication. While NEMA administers the process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not write the document and it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy or completeness of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards and guideline publications.

NEMA disclaims liability for any personal injury, property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, application, or reliance on this document. NEMA disclaims and makes no guaranty or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, and disclaims and makes no warranty that the information in this document will fulfill any of your particular purposes or needs. NEMA does not undertake to guarantee the performance of any individual manufacturer or seller’s products or services by virtue of this standard or guide.

In publishing and making this document available, NEMA is not undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is NEMA undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using this document should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. Information and other standards on the topic covered by this publication may be available from other sources, which the user may wish to consult for additional views or information not covered by this publication.

NEMA has no power, nor does it undertake to police or enforce compliance with the contents of this document. NEMA does not certify, test, or inspect products, designs, or installations for safety or health purposes. Any certification or other statement of compliance with any health or safety–related information in this document shall not be attributable to NEMA and is solely the responsibility of the certifier or maker of the statement.

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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by ANSI that the requirements for due process, consensus, and other criteria for approval have been met by the standards developer.

Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards Review, substantial agreement has been reached by directly and materially affected interests. Substantial agreement means much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity. Consensus requires that all 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 the standards or not, from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures not conforming to the standards.

The American National Standards Institute does not develop standards and will in no circumstances give an interpretation of any American National Standard. Moreover, no person shall have the right or authority to issue an interpretation of an American National Standard in the name of the American National Standards Institute. Requests for interpretations should be addressed to the secretariat or sponsor whose name appears on the title page of this standard.

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 to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw this standard. Purchasers of American National Standards may receive current information on all standards by calling or writing the American National Standards Institute.

Published by

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Copyright 2016 by National Electrical Manufacturers AssociationAll rights reserved including translation into other languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan American Copyright Conventions.

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

Printed in the United States of America

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ContentsPage

Foreword.................................................................................................................................................... vii

1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Scope and purpose......................................................................................................................... 1

2.1 Scope....................................................................................................................................... 1

2.2 Purpose.................................................................................................................................... 2

3 Application and exceptions.............................................................................................................2

3.1 Application............................................................................................................................... 2

3.2 Exceptions............................................................................................................................... 2

4 Definitions....................................................................................................................................... 2

5 Message components..................................................................................................................... 5

5.1 Signal word.............................................................................................................................. 5

5.1.1 Use of signal words...................................................................................................5

5.1.2 Multiple hazard identification.....................................................................................5

5.1.3 Signal word panel......................................................................................................5

5.2 Symbols and other graphics.....................................................................................................5

5.2.1 Safety alert symbol....................................................................................................6

5.2.2 Safety symbols..........................................................................................................6

5.2.3 Graphics other than safety symbols..........................................................................6

5.3 Color........................................................................................................................................ 6

5.3.1 Signal word panel......................................................................................................6

5.3.2 Safety message.........................................................................................................7

5.3.3 Other standards.........................................................................................................7

5.3.4 Other colors...............................................................................................................7

5.4 Type style and size.................................................................................................................. 7

5.4.1 Signal words..............................................................................................................7

5.4.2 Safety message text..................................................................................................7

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6 Supplemental directives.................................................................................................................. 7

6.1 Purpose.................................................................................................................................... 7

6.2 Content.................................................................................................................................... 8

6.3 Location................................................................................................................................... 8

6.4 Format...................................................................................................................................... 8

7 Grouped safety messages..............................................................................................................9

7.1 Purpose.................................................................................................................................... 9

7.2 Content.................................................................................................................................... 9

7.3 Location................................................................................................................................... 9

7.3.1 Table of contents.......................................................................................................9

7.4 Format.................................................................................................................................... 10

7.4.1 Heading or title........................................................................................................10

7.4.2 Organization............................................................................................................10

7.4.3 Formatting individual messages..............................................................................10

7.4.4 Safety symbols........................................................................................................10

8 Section safety messages..............................................................................................................11

8.1 Purpose.................................................................................................................................. 11

8.2 Content.................................................................................................................................. 11

8.3 Location................................................................................................................................. 11

8.4 Format.................................................................................................................................... 11

8.4.1 Signal word panel....................................................................................................11

8.4.2 Safety alert symbol..................................................................................................12

8.4.3 Multiple section safety messages............................................................................13

8.4.4 Section safety message text....................................................................................13

9 Embedded safety messages.........................................................................................................13

9.1 Purpose.................................................................................................................................. 13

9.2 Content.................................................................................................................................. 13

9.3 Location................................................................................................................................. 13

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9.4 Format.................................................................................................................................... 14

9.4.1 Signal words............................................................................................................14

9.4.2 Safety alert symbol..................................................................................................15

9.4.3 Embedded safety message text..............................................................................16

10 Property damage messages.........................................................................................................16

10.1 Signal word............................................................................................................................ 16

10.2 Color...................................................................................................................................... 16

10.3 Safety alert symbol................................................................................................................. 16

10.4 Supplemental directives.........................................................................................................16

10.5 Grouped safety messages.....................................................................................................16

11 References.................................................................................................................................... 16

11.1 General.................................................................................................................................. 16

11.2 American National Standards................................................................................................16

11.3 Other standards..................................................................................................................... 17

Figures

1 Safety alert symbols........................................................................................................................ 4

2 Examples of a signal word panel....................................................................................................5

3 Supplemental directive with safety alert symbol..............................................................................9

4 Examples of section safety messages with signal word panels....................................................12

5 Examples of section safety messages with safety alert symbols..................................................13

6 Examples of embedded safety messages with signal words........................................................15

7 Examples of embedded safety messages with safety alert symbols.............................................15

Tables

B1 Translation of Signal Words..........................................................................................................20

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Annexes

A Providing Information About Safety Messages in Collateral Materials and ProductSafety Signs and Labels...............................................................................................................18

B Translations of Signal Words........................................................................................................20

C Risk Estimation and Signal Word Selection..................................................................................21

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Foreword In 1979, the ANSI Z53 Committee on Safety Colors was combined with the ANSI Z35 Committee on Safety Signs to form the ANSI Z535 Committee on Safety Signs and Colors. The Z535 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.

While the basic mission and fundamental purpose of the ANSI Z535 Committee is to develop, refine, and promote a single, uniform graphic system used for communicating safety and accident prevention information, the Z535 Committee recognizes that this information can also be effectively communicated using other graphic systems.

The Z535 Committee created subcommittees to update the Z53 and Z35 standards and to write new standards. To date, the following six standards comprise the ANSI Z535 series:

ANSI Z535.1 Safety Colors [ANSI Z53.1-1979 was updated and combined into this standard in 1991]

ANSI Z535.2 Environmental and Facility Safety Signs [ANSI Z35.1-1972 and Z35.4-1972 were updated and combined into this standard in 1991]

ANSI Z535.3 Criteria for Safety Symbols [new in 1991]

ANSI Z535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels [new in 1991]

ANSI Z535.5 Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards) [ANSI Z35.2-1974 was updated and combined into this standard in 1991]

ANSI Z535.6 Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials [new in 2006]

Together, these six standards contain information needed to specify formats, colors, and symbols for safety signs used in environmental and facility applications, product and product literature applications, and temporary safety tag and barricade tape applications.

Published separately is the ANSI Z535 Safety Color Chart. This chart gives the user a sample of each of the safety colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, grey, white, and black. It also describes each color's ink formulation and closest PANTONE® color.

This ANSI Z535.6 standard was prepared by the Z535.6 Subcommittee on Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials. The foreword and all annexes are considered to be informative; the body is considered normative. In the vocabulary of writing standards, the word "informative" is meant to convey that the content presented is for informational purposes only and is not considered to be mandatory in nature. The word "normative" is meant to convey that the context is considered to be mandatory or prescriptive.

The 1991 standards, which became available in 1992, were revised and a new edition was published in 1998. The 1998 edition of ANSI Z535.4 contained an Annex (Annex A, Guidelines for Increasing Recognition of Safety Label Components), which encouraged manufacturers to describe on-product safety label components (e.g., safety alert symbol, signal words, or safety symbols) in collateral materials (e.g., operation manuals, instructions, safety literature, or service manuals) used with the product. The 1998 standards were subsequently revised to produce the 2002 edition.

In the course of preparing the 2002 edition of the Z535 standards, the ANSI Z535 Accredited Standards Committee considered the merits and practicality of developing a new standard addressing the presentation of safety messages in collateral materials such as owner’s manuals, instruction books, and troubleshooting and repair manuals. In 2002, the committee voted to form a new subcommittee, ANSI Z535.6. The purpose of this new subcommittee is to develop a standard to complement the existing Z535 standards by addressing various aspects of the provision of safety information in collateral materials. This

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standard was prepared by Subcommittee Z535.6 on Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials.

The 2011 edition of this standard was revised with minor clarifications and updated to permit the use of the safety alert symbol in the middle of a line of text. In addition, the definitions for “accident,” “harm,” and “incident” were refined across the Z535 series to more clearly delineate a separation between physical injury and other safety-related issues (e.g., property damage).

Due to the differences in color printing technologies and color monitors, the appearance of colors in this document may not be accurate. See the ANSI Z535-2011 Safety Color Chart for the purpose of viewing accurate colors.

Proposals for improvement of this standard are welcome. Information concerning submittal of proposals to the ANSI Z535 Committee for consideration can be found at the back of this standard.

This standard was processed and approved for submittal to ANSI by the Accredited Standards Committee Z535 on Safety Signs and Colors. Committee approval of this standard does not necessarily imply that all committee members voted for its approval. At the time it approved this standard, the Z535 Committee had the following members:

Geoffrey Peckham, ChairJ. Paul Frantz, Vice ChairGreg Winchester, Secretary

Organization Represented: Name of Representative:

American Society of Safety Engineers J. Paul FrantzThomas F. Bresnahan (Alt.) Timothy Rhoades (Alt.)

American Welding Society August F. Manz

Applied Materials Carl Wong

Applied Safety and Ergonomics Steve HallStephen Young (Alt.)

Association for Manufacturing Technology David Felinski

Association of Equipment Manufacturers Michael WeberDaniel Taylor (Alt.)

Browning Arms Company Larry D. Nelson

Caterpillar, Inc. Charles CrowellMark Steffen (Alt.)

Clarion Safety Systems, LLC Geoffrey PeckhamPhillip Peckham (Alt.)

Dorris and Associates International, LLC Nathan T. DorrisEric Boelhouwer (Alt.)Alan L. Dorris (Alt.)

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Eagle Crusher Ryan Parsell

Edison Electric Institute David Young

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Michael KalsherH. Harvey Cohen (Alt.)

Human Factors and Safety Analytics, Inc. B. Jay Martin

IEEE Sue Vogel

International Safety Equipment Association Christine Fargo

International Staple, Nail, and ToolAssociation

John W. KurtzThomas Siwek (Alt.)

Law Office of Mathew Kundinger Mathew Kundinger

Marhefka & Associates Russell E. Marhefka

National Association of Graphic and Product Identification Manufacturers

Russ ButchkoDonna Ehrmann (Alt.)

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

National Marker Company

Bill PrattDavid Werba (Alt.)

Michael BlackAlice Campbell (Alt.)Marianne Pepin (Alt.)

National Spray Equipment Manufacturers Association

Angela Redlund-Spieker

P&G Duracell, Inc. Linda MoquetSteven Wicelinski (Alt.)

Power Tool Institute Brett CohenMark Hickok (Alt.)Charles M. Stockinger (Alt.)

Rockwell Automation Steven Chybowski

Rural Utilities Service Trung Hiu

Safety and Forensic Enterprises, LLC Loren Mills

Sauder Woodworking Company Gary Bell

Scaffold and Access Industry Association Dave Merrifield

Standard Register Corporation Greg EllisLinda LeBlanc (Alt.)

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System Safety Society Robert J. Cunitz

Travelers Insurance Company David RoyKaren Stetler (Alt.)

Underwriters Laboratories Richard Olesen

Whirlpool Corporation Sondra McAndrewDonald Grob (Alt.)

World Kitchen, LLC Celeste Levindoski

At the time it prepared this edition of ANSI Z535.6 for Z535 Committee vote, Subcommittee Z535.6 on Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials had the following members:

Dave Merrifield, ChairPaul Orr, Secretary

Lewis Barbe World Safety OrganizationEric Boelhouwer Dorris and Associates International, LLCThomas F. Bresnahan Bresnahan Consulting AssociatesBrett Cohen Power Tool InstituteCharles Crowell Caterpillar, Inc.Nathan T. Dorris Dorris and Associates International, LLCSteve Hall Applied Safety and ErgonomicsJudith J. Isaacson Applied Safety and ErgonomicsMathew Kundinger Law Office of Mathew KundingerJohn W. Kurtz International Staple, Nail and Tool AssociationLinda LeBlanc Standard Register CorporationDave Merrifield Merrifield Safety Consulting, LLCLarry D. Nelson Browning Arms CompanyBill Pratt National Electrical Manufacturers AssociationAngela Redlund-Spieker National Spray Equipment Manufacturers AssociationTim Smith U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionMichael Weber Association of Equipment Manufacturers

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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI Z535.6-2016


1 IntroductionHistorically, there has been a lack of widely available or generally applicable graphic systems for presenting safety information in product manuals, instructions, and related collateral materials. The absence of such systems, combined with the increased awareness and use of ANSI Z535.4 Standard for Product Safety Signs and Labels, has led to attempts to apply various aspects of ANSI Z535.4 to the presentation of safety information in collateral materials. Since ANSI Z535.4 was not designed for that purpose, it is not well-suited for broad application beyond the domain of product signs and labels. Its limited applicability stems from differences between product signs and labels and various collateral materials.

Collateral materials can vary significantly in terms of their purpose, content, format, and/or length. For example, they may come in the form of a bound manual, a single sheet of paper (folded or otherwise), a pamphlet, a booklet, or an electronic document.

Collateral materials are typically formatted like a book or other published literature. Thus, different formats for safety messages may be required and/or expected compared to on-product information.

In addition, there are differences that may exist between safety information in collateral materials and safety messages on product safety signs and labels. For example:

Collateral materials typically:

— contain more information than product safety signs;

— address multiple hazards and contain multiple safety messages;

— provide longer and more detailed safety messages;

— contain multiple pages of information that cannot be viewed simultaneously; and

— provide information that would be impractical to provide on product safety signs, such as definitions of the safety alert symbol, signal words, and safety symbols.

Safety information in collateral materials must often be integrated with non-safety information.

Because collateral materials are not typically attached to the product, issues related to reading conditions, distinctiveness, placement, expected life, and maintenance are different. In addition, the concept of a safe viewing distance is not generally applicable.

To respond to these differences, this standard sets forth a communication system developed specifically for product safety information in collateral materials. It incorporates elements of the graphical approaches used by other ANSI Z535-series standards into a common design direction selected to provide product safety information in an orderly and visually consistent manner.

2 Scope and purpose 2.1 Scope This standard sets forth requirements for the design and location of product safety messages in collateral materials for a wide variety of products.

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2.2 Purpose This standard is intended to:

a. address the applicability of elements of other ANSI Z535-series standards to collateral materials;

b. establish a uniform and consistent visual layout for safety information in collateral materials for a wide variety of products;

c. minimize the proliferation of designs for safety information in collateral materials;

d. establish a national uniform system for product safety information in collateral materials;

e. assist manufacturers in providing safety information in collateral materials; and

f. promote the efficient development of safety messages in collateral materials.

3 Application and exceptions 3.1 Application This standard provides guidance to any entity involved in creating collateral materials containing safety messages. This standard is applicable to a broad range of products.

This standard addresses the provision of safety messages in documents that communicate primarily with text, but may also be appropriate for documents that communicate primarily or exclusively with pictures, illustrations, and other graphics.

This standard was developed primarily for use in developing collateral materials associated with products. These provisions may also prove useful for some training or instructional materials associated with an environment or facilities.

This standard addresses four types of safety messages that may be present in collateral materials:

a. supplemental directives;

b. grouped safety messages;

c. section safety messages;

d. embedded safety messages.

Not all documents will contain four types of safety messages. Some documents may contain no safety messages. This standard does not require that documents include any particular types of safety messages.

3.2 Exceptions Should any requirement of this standard conflict with other applicable standards or federal, state, or municipal regulations, such conflict shall not invalidate other requirements of this standard. Where other applicable standards or regulations specify particular formats for certain messages, these non-Z535.6 formats may also be used for other messages to maintain consistency in a document.

4 Definitions 4.1 accident: An incident that results in harm, property damage, or both.

4.1.1 harm: Any degree of physical injury, including death.

4.1.2 incident: An unintended or undesired event.

4.2 collateral materials: Printed information that accompanies a product, including owner’s manuals; instructions; user’s guides; maintenance or service manuals; assembly instructions; safety manuals; instructions on product packaging; and similar information about a product, its uses and functions, and/or other user-related interactions.

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Collateral materials may take the form of a single sheet of paper, a multi-page document, printing on a package or container, or a printable electronic document.

Collateral materials do not include items such as product signs, labels, labeling, material safety data sheets (MSDSs), advertising and promotional materials, audio and video materials, or dynamic or electronic media (e.g., electronic documents with animation, sound, or other features that are not printable).

4.3 colors: Colors specified in this standard shall conform to American National Standard for Safety Colors, ANSI Z535.1-2011.

4.4 document: A single instance of collateral materials.

4.5 hazard: A potential source of harm.

4.6 Intent 4.6.1 may: This word is understood to be permissive.

4.6.2 shall: This word is understood to be mandatory.

4.6.3 should: This word is understood to be advisory.

4.6.4 informative: Refers to those portions of this Standard provided only for purposes of clarification, illustration, and general information. Those portions of the standard considered informative do not contain mandatory requirements. The Foreword and all of the Annexes are considered informative.

4.6.5 normative: Refers to those portions of the Standard containing the mandatory requirements (shall), as well as the recommended practices (should). The body of this Standard is considered normative.

4.7 safety messages: Word messages that provide information primarily about the nature of a hazardous situation, the consequences of not avoiding a hazardous situation, and/or method(s) for avoiding a hazardous situation, or that direct readers to such information. Safety symbols and other graphics may be used to supplement or substitute for part or all of a word message.

There are many types of messages commonly found in collateral materials that are important and related to safety, but are not included in the definition of safety messages for the purposes of this standard, such as:

a. information that does not have direct safety implications and that clarifies steps, procedures, or other information in collateral materials;

b. procedures or instructions that are referred to in safety messages, typically as a means of avoiding a hazardous situation;

c. procedural or descriptive information that is subordinate to a grouped safety message or section safety message, or adjacent and related to an embedded safety message;

d. information that has only indirect or secondary safety implications;

e. descriptions of, or information about, safety devices or features;

f. descriptions, definitions, or other supplementary information about a hazard.

4.7.1 supplemental directives: Supplemental directives are messages about other safety messages. Supplemental directives do not address specific hazards, but instead provide information that promotes awareness and use of specific safety messages (e.g., grouped, section, or embedded safety messages; or product safety signs and labels) or other safety-related information. NOTE—Grouped, section, or embedded safety messages may include references to other information, but are not considered supplemental directives because they address specific hazards.

4.7.2 grouped safety messages: Safety messages that are collected or grouped in a document or section of a document devoted primarily or exclusively to safety information.

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4.7.3 section safety messages: Safety messages that apply to entire sections, subsections, or multiple paragraphs or procedures within a document. These messages apply to larger units of information than embedded safety messages and typically appear at the beginning of the section to which they apply.

4.7.4 embedded safety messages: Safety messages that apply to a specific part of a section, a paragraph, a particular procedure or part of a procedure, a particular sentence, etc. in a document. These messages apply to smaller units of information than do section safety messages and are integrated within procedures or other text.

4.8 property damage messages: Word messages that provide information primarily about situations that can lead to property damage, the potential consequences of not avoiding the situations, or method(s) for avoiding the situations; or that direct readers to such information. Messages about hazards that could result in both physical injury and property damage are considered safety messages, not property damage messages.

4.9 safety symbol: A graphic representation intended to convey a message without the use of words. It may represent a hazard, a hazardous situation, a precaution to avoid a hazard, a result of not avoiding a hazard, or any combination of these messages. See ANSI Z535.3-2011.

4.9.1 safety alert symbol: A symbol that indicates a hazard. It is composed of an equilateral triangle surrounding an exclamation mark. The safety alert symbol shall not be used to alert persons of property-damage only accidents.

(A) for use with DANGER signal word (white triangle, safety red exclamation mark, and safety red background)

(B) for use with WARNING signal word (black triangle, safety orange exclamation mark)(C) for use with CAUTION signal word (black triangle, safety yellow exclamation mark)

(D) and (E) for use with DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION signal words or no signal word ([D] has a safety yellow background, black border, and black exclamation mark; [E] has a safety yellow border around a black band.)

NOTE—D and E are provided to allow for consistency with certain ISO standards, such as ISO 3864-1 and ISO 3864-2.

(F) and (G) for use with DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION signal words or no signal word

Figure 1Safety alert symbols

4.10 signal words: A word that calls attention to a safety message or messages or a property damage message or messages, and designates a degree or level of hazard seriousness. The signal words in this standard are “DANGER,” “WARNING,” “CAUTION,” and “NOTICE.”

4.10.1 DANGER: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. This signal word is to be limited to the most extreme situations.

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4.10.2 WARNING: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

4.10.3 CAUTION: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

4.10.4 NOTICE: Indicates information considered important, but not hazard-related (e.g. messages relating to property damage). The safety alert symbol shall not be used with this signal word. When a signal word is used for messages relating to property damage, NOTICE is the choice of signal word.

5 Message components When safety message or property damage message components are specified or permitted by Sections 6 through 10, they shall be used in accordance with the provisions of this section.

5.1 Signal word

5.1.1 Use of signal words Signal words may be used to identify safety messages and property damage messages. Signal words shall only be used to identify safety messages and property damage messages in accordance with the signal word definitions (see Section 4.10). Signal words shall not be used for anything other than safety messages and property damage messages.

The words “danger,” “warning,” “caution,” and “notice” may also be used in the text of a document without being used as a signal word.

When no other applicable standard or federal, state, or local government regulation specifies a particular signal word, selection of the signal word shall be made in accordance with the signal word definitions in Section 4.10.

5.1.2 Multiple hazard identification When one signal word is used to identify multiple safety messages and the messages are classified at different levels of risk, the signal word corresponding to the greatest risk level shall be used.

5.1.3 Signal word panelA signal word panel consists of a safety alert symbol and signal word centered on a contrasting rectangular background. When the contrasting background is the same color as the background for surrounding text and graphics (e.g., white signal word panel background and white background for surrounding text and graphics), a contrasting border may be used around the rectangular signal word panel. See Figure 2. NOTE—The safety alert symbol is not used with the signal word “NOTICE.”

In a signal word panel, the safety alert symbol shall be used in accordance with Section 5.2.1.1. Color and type style and size shall be in accordance with Sections 5.3 and 5.4.

Figure 2Examples of a signal word panel

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5.2 Symbols and other graphicsSymbols and other graphics may be used with safety messages. Symbols may be generic (e.g., the safety alert symbol) or specifically related to the hazard being addressed (e.g., safety symbols); see Section 4.9.

5.2.1 Safety alert symbol The safety alert symbol may be used as specified in this standard to identify safety messages. The safety alert symbol shall not be used to identify information other than safety messages.

5.2.1.1 Using the safety alert symbol with signal words When used with a signal word, the safety alert symbol shall precede the signal word. The base of the safety alert symbol shall be on the same horizontal level as the base of the letters of the signal word. The height of the safety alert symbol shall equal or exceed the signal word letter height.

5.2.2 Safety symbols Safety symbols may be used to clarify, supplement, or substitute for a portion or all of a safety message. A symbol may only be used to substitute for a portion or all of a safety message if the symbol has been demonstrated to be satisfactorily comprehended (e.g., Annex B of ANSI Z535.3-2011) or there is a means (e.g., instructions, training materials, or manuals) to inform the viewer of the symbol’s meaning.

5.2.2.1 Conveyed message The conveyed message of a safety symbol should describe the type of hazard, the potential consequences of the hazard, or the evasive or avoidance actions to be taken. When used with a safety message, the safety symbol shall be compatible with the word message(s).

5.2.3 Graphics other than safety symbolsGraphics other than safety symbols (e.g., pictures, photographs, illustrations, charts, or graphs) may be used to clarify, supplement, or substitute for a portion of a safety message. Use of graphics other than safety symbols may include:

a. identifying parts referred to by hazard or avoidance information;

b. illustrating actions recommended by avoidance information;

c, providing pictures of hazardous conditions to assist the user in identifying these conditions;

d. showing the principle of operation of a safety device; or

e. presenting quantitative information in graphs or charts.NOTE—ANSI Z535.3–2011 does not provide guidance regarding the design of graphics other than safety symbols.

5.3 ColorSafety messages and property damage messages in collateral materials may be presented in black and white, grayscale, or color independent of the number of colors used for other information in a document. If safety colors are used for safety messages, they should conform to ANSI Z535.1–2011.

5.3.1 Signal word panel If colors are used in the signal word panel, the colors specified in Sections 5.3.1.1.1 through 5.3.1.1.4 should be used. If a document is printed with a limited number of colors or in black and white, the color used for the text of the safety messages may be used in the signal word panel.

5.3.1.1 Signal word5.3.1.1.1 DANGER

When used in a signal word panel, the signal word “DANGER” should be in white letters on a safety red background.

5.3.1.1.2 WARNING

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When used in a signal word panel, the signal word “WARNING” should be in black letters on a safety orange background.

5.3.1.1.3 CAUTION When used in a signal word panel, the signal word “CAUTION” should be in black letters on a safety yellow background.

5.3.1.1.4 NOTICEWhen used in a signal word panel, the signal word “NOTICE” should be in italicized white letters on a safety blue background.

5.3.1.2 Safety alert symbol When used with a signal word, the solid triangle portion of the safety alert symbol shall be the same color as the signal word lettering and the exclamation mark portion shall be the same color as the signal word background. As an alternative, the safety alert symbol may consist of a black triangle band and black exclamation mark on a safety yellow triangle (see Figure 1).

When used without a signal word, the solid triangle portion shall be the same color as the safety message text and the exclamation mark portion shall be the same color as the background. As an alternative, the safety alert symbol may consist of a black triangle band and black exclamation mark on a safety yellow triangle (see Figure 1).

5.3.2 Safety message The safety message should be printed in black text on a white background.

5.3.3 Other standards Other colors may be used for compliance with other standards or regulations (see Section 3.2).

5.3.4 Other colorsWhen the text is a color other than black or the background is a color other than white throughout a document or part of a document, the safety message may be printed with the same text and background color as the rest of the document. In such cases, the selected text color should contrast with the background color and allow the message to be read by a user with normal vision under expected reading conditions.

When appropriate safety colors are not used for signal word panels, the signal word panels may be printed using the text and background colors used throughout the document or part of the document. In such cases, the selected signal word color should contrast with the background color and allow the message to be read by a user with normal vision under expected reading conditions.

5.4 Type style and size

5.4.1 Signal words Signal words shall be in sans serif letters in uppercase only. The signal word “NOTICE” should be italicized. The type size for the signal word shall be at least as large as the type size for the associated safety message.

5.4.2 Safety message text Safety message text shall be of a size that enables a person with normal vision, including corrected vision, to read it at a normal reading distance under expected reading conditions. The type size should be no smaller than the majority of text in the document or the non-safety text (other than headings) immediately surrounding it, whichever is greater. Safety message text should employ a combination of upper- and lowercase letters. Uppercase-only lettering may be used for emphasis of individual words or short phrases within a safety message.

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6 Supplemental directives6.1 Purpose A supplemental directive in a document may serve several purposes, including:

a. directing users to new, unique, unusual, or particularly important safety information;

b. directing users to product safety information within the document, in another document, or in another source (e.g., product safety signs and labels);

c. making users aware of the safety-related nature and importance of an entire document or section within a document (e.g., a section of grouped safety messages); or

d. reducing the need to repeat consequence information, especially generic consequences (e.g., "severe injury or death"), that may be associated with failure to read the document or refer to other sources of safety information.

6.2 Content A supplemental directive may be generic, for example:

a. information regarding the general safety implications of a document (e.g., "read all instructions before use to avoid injury") or generic consequence information (e.g., "improper use of product can result in serious injury");

b. information regarding the general safety implications of grouped safety messages (e.g., "to avoid serious injury or death, follow the safety information in this section/document");

c. generic messages regarding the handling of safety information (e.g., "keep this manual"); or

d. information pointing readers to other sources of safety information provided with the product (e.g., "read all product safety labels," "refer to safety manual").

A supplemental directive may be specific, for example:

a. information pointing readers to sources of safety information not provided with the product (e.g., "read accessory instructions for specific safety information," "refer to local building codes for installation requirements");

b specific messages regarding the handling of safety information (e.g., "keep this manual in the storage sleeve on the back of the operator’s seat"); or

c. references to new, unique, unusual, or particularly important safety information.

A supplemental directive should contain generic hazard avoidance information, typically in the form of an instruction directing readers to other safety messages. A supplemental directive may also include generic or specific consequence information.NOTE—Because supplemental directives do not address specific hazards, they often do not include information about consequences and, when it is provided, such information is usually non-specific (e.g., “injury,” “serious injury,” or “death”), but may include more specific consequences (e.g., “electric shock” or “fire”). Avoidance information may refer the user to another document, safety message or messages, etc.

6.3 Location In general, supplemental directives should be near the beginning of a document (e.g., on the cover, on the first page, or immediately preceding grouped safety messages).

When a supplemental directive refers to information in the same document, it should generally be provided before the information to which it refers. Typically, this will be near the beginning of a document (e.g., on the front cover of a multi-page document, toward the top of a single-page document, or at the beginning of a set of grouped safety messages). Supplemental directives may be placed after the information to which they refer if such a location is more appropriate.

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6.4 Format Supplemental directives may be preceded by a safety alert symbol without the use of a signal word panel or border as shown in Figure 3.

Read equipment manufacturer’s manual and this material before using this product. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death.

Figure 3Supplemental directive with safety alert symbol

The signal words “DANGER,” “WARNING,” or “CAUTION” may be used, but should only be used for those supplemental directives that refer to a particular safety message or messages that correspond to the selected signal word, or include hazard or consequence information that corresponds to the selected signal word.

If the signal word “DANGER,” “WARNING,” or “CAUTION” is used, it should be preceded by a safety alert symbol and may be presented with a signal word panel and border.

7 Grouped safety messages 7.1 Purpose Grouped safety messages may serve several purposes, including:

a. allowing users to access some or all of the safety messages for a product in one location;

b. allowing safety messages to be presented together according to a meaningful organizational system (e.g., grouped by hazard type, grouped and sequenced by frequency and severity of injury, grouped by stage of use, or grouped by the part of the product involved);

c. providing safety messages that apply to multiple sections or parts of a document so that they do not have to be repeated unnecessarily throughout the document;

d. providing safety messages that do not apply to any particular section of the document; or

e. providing detailed information about a hazard that may then be referenced, implicitly or explicitly, by safety messages in the body of a document.

7.2 Content Grouped safety messages should identify the hazards, indicate how to avoid the hazards, and advise of the probable consequences of not avoiding the hazards. Where information regarding the hazards, consequences, or avoidance is similar or identical for several or all grouped safety messages, such information may be stated once and need not be repeated for each individual message.

When information regarding the hazards, consequences, or avoidance is readily inferred, such information may be omitted. In addition, consequence information for a grouped safety message may be omitted if general consequences of failure to comply with all of the grouped safety messages are provided in a supplemental directive preceding the grouped safety messages.

Messages unrelated to safety should not be placed among grouped safety messages.

7.3 Location Grouped safety messages should be provided in a separate document or in a distinct section within a document. When grouped safety messages are provided within a document, they should appear before any procedural information to which the safety messages apply. Grouped safety messages may be placed after the information to which they apply if such a location is more appropriate.

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A single document may contain more than one section of grouped safety messages.

7.3.1 Table of contents When a document contains a section of grouped safety messages, this section should be listed in the table of contents, if one is provided.

7.4 Format

7.4.1 Heading or title 7.4.1.1 Document title When grouped safety messages are provided in a separate document, the title of that document shall indicate the safety-related nature of the information in the document (e.g., "Safety Manual," or "Safety Information for [product name]"). A signal word may be used as a title for safety documents that are a single page.

7.4.1.2 Section heading When grouped safety messages are provided in a section within a document, the section shall have a heading indicating the safety-related nature of the information in the section (e.g., "Precautions" or "Important Safety Information"). A signal word may be used as the heading.

7.4.1.3 Signal wordIf a signal word is used as a title or heading, it should be presented in a signal word panel and preceded by a safety alert symbol. The signal word panel may be centered across a page or column of text, or may be left-justified.

7.4.1.4 Supplemental directivesA supplemental directive may be used to direct readers to grouped safety messages. The supplemental directive may provide general hazard or consequence information. When such a supplemental directive immediately precedes grouped safety messages, it may be used instead of a heading or title that indicates the safety-related nature of the section or document.

7.4.2 Organization Grouped safety messages may be organized and presented in a variety of ways, such as numbered or bulleted lists, separate paragraphs, etc. When grouped safety messages include a large number of messages and multiple topics, they should be further organized into subsections, with meaningful subheadings provided to indicate the nature of the topics addressed in each subsection.

7.4.3 Formatting individual messages Typical product safety sign and label formatting (e.g., signal word panel or borders) should not be used for each individual message.

Individual messages within a set of grouped safety messages may be emphasized, relative to other messages in the group, using formatting such as:

a. type manipulations (e.g., bold, italics, or type size);

b. safety symbols;

c. lines or borders;

d. white space or separation from other text; or

e. formatting (e.g., safety alert symbol or signal words) used for section and embedded safety messages.

Such formatting should be used only where special emphasis is desired relative to other safety messages; it should not be used for all messages in a group.

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7.4.4 Safety symbols Safety symbols may be used in conjunction with grouped safety messages. When used, the safety symbol shall be compatible with the word message(s) with which it is associated (see Section 5.2). To avoid unnecessary repetition, the safety alert symbol should not be used in conjunction with each safety message in a group.

8 Section safety messages 8.1 Purpose Section safety messages may serve several purposes, including:

a. providing safety information that applies throughout a procedure;

b. providing safety information that pertains to the topic of a particular section, but that is not related to any particular procedural step or message in the section;

c. avoiding unnecessary repetition of information about the hazards, consequences, or avoidance that applies to an entire section, paragraph, procedure, group of procedures, or other unit of text within the body of a document; or

d. allowing users to access procedural and other product-use information more easily and efficiently by reducing the extent to which a safety message interrupts or interferes with the access or flow of information.

8.2 Content Section safety messages should identify the hazard, indicate how to avoid the hazard, and advise of the probable consequences of not avoiding the hazard.

Information regarding hazard, consequences, or avoidance behavior may be omitted from the safety message if it can be readily inferred. This information may also be omitted or abridged in situations where provision of the information would produce unnecessary repetition.

Information regarding hazard, consequences, or avoidance may be provided in the form of a reference to more detailed information elsewhere.

8.3 Location Section safety messages should be provided at the beginning of the section or before the messages to which they apply.

8.4 Format Section safety messages shall be differentiated from other, non-safety information in the body of a document. Section safety messages should be preceded by either a signal word panel or a safety alert symbol.

8.4.1 Signal word panel If a signal word panel is used, it should be placed above or to the left (at the beginning) of the safety message. The entire safety message may be indented, with the signal word panel placed to the left. The signal word in a section safety message signal word panel shall be in sans serif, bold, uppercase letters in the same type size as or larger than the associated safety message. See Figure 4.

Example 4A:SECTION HEADING

This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message.

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General text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text.

Example 4B:SECTION HEADING

This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message.

This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message.



Example 4C:SECTION HEADING



This is a sectionsafety message. This is a section safety message.


Figure 4Examples of section safety messages with signal word panels

8.4.2 Safety alert symbolA safety alert symbol may be used without a signal word to indicate safety messages that would be assigned the signal words “WARNING” or “CAUTION.” A safety alert symbol shall not be used alone with safety messages that would be assigned the signal word “DANGER;” “DANGER” safety messages should be formatted with a signal word panel (see Section 8.4.1). A safety alert symbol shall not be used for property damage messages. When used alone, the safety alert symbol should appear to the left of the safety message, not above it. The triangle shall be at least as tall as and should be taller than the capital letters in the safety message. See Figure 5.

Example 5A:SECTION HEADING


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Example 5B:SECTION HEADING


General text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text.

Example 5C:SECTION HEADINGThis is a section safety message. This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message. This is a section safety message.

General text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text.

Figure 5Examples of section safety messages with safety alert symbols

8.4.3 Multiple section safety messages When multiple section safety messages are presented together, a single signal word panel or safety alert symbol may be used with the messages. In such instances, the signal word corresponding to the greatest risk level addressed by the safety messages shall be used.

8.4.4 Section safety message text The text of a section safety message may be differentiated from other, non-safety information (e.g., by use of bold, semi-bold, or italic typeface, indented text, or white space). If any type of differentiation is used, section safety messages should be differentiated in a consistent manner within a document.

9 Embedded safety messages 9.1 Purpose Embedded safety messages provide safety information within procedures or other text (e.g., product descriptions or specifications) so that users would be expected to encounter the safety message at an appropriate place when reading the procedure or other text.

9.2 Content Embedded safety messages should identify the hazard, indicate how to avoid the hazard, and advise of the probable consequences of not avoiding the hazard. If an associated instruction or procedure is, itself, the method of avoiding the hazard, the embedded safety message may contain only hazard and consequence information. Information regarding hazard, consequences, or avoidance behavior may be omitted from the safety message if it can be readily inferred. Information about the hazards, consequences, or avoidance may be omitted or abridged in situations where (a) more detailed safety information is provided in a supplemental directive, a set of grouped safety messages, or a section safety

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message, and (b) provision of the information would produce unnecessary repetition or an undesirably long message length. Information regarding hazard, consequences, or avoidance may be provided in the form of a reference to more detailed information elsewhere.

9.3 Location Embedded safety messages should be integrated with the non-safety messages to which they apply. When included in procedures, embedded safety messages should be treated as part of the procedure and included as a step or part of a step in the procedure so that, if the procedure is followed, the hazard would be avoided.

When a procedure is non-linear, for instance, if the reader is expected to skip steps or perform steps in different orders depending on the situation, orders in which the procedure could reasonably be followed should be considered when determining where to locate the safety messages.

When included in non-procedural text (e.g., explanatory or educational information), embedded safety messages should be placed in proximity to the information to which they apply.

9.4 Format Embedded safety messages may be presented without special formatting if the content and context of the message make it clear that the message relates to safety.

Embedded safety messages may also be differentiated from other information by a signal word, safety alert symbol, or both (e.g., in a signal word panel), or special formatting of the safety message text.

When special emphasis is desired for particular words, phrases, or sentences in an embedded safety message (e.g., avoidance information), this part of the safety message may be differentiated by the use of special formatting of that text, regardless of whether the entire safety message is differentiated in some other way.NOTE—Because embedded safety messages must be integrated with the surrounding information, they may be presented without any special formatting. When special formatting is used to differentiate embedded safety messages, care should be taken to ensure that the formatting does not unnecessarily interfere with the user reading the information.

In a single document, some embedded safety messages may be differentiated from other text, while others may not. Factors affecting whether a particular embedded safety message is differentiated may include:

a. whether the message was previously provided in a grouped or section safety message;

b. the desire to highlight particular embedded safety messages that are either more important or more likely to be unknown to users; or

c. the number of embedded safety messages, and the length of these messages, relative to the surrounding non-safety text.

9.4.1 Signal words Signal words may be used with the safety alert symbol (see Section 8.4.1 and Example 6C) or without.

If a signal word is used without the safety alert symbol, it should precede the safety message in-line with the rest of the text that follows it. The signal word should be printed in all capital letters in a bold, sans serif font, in the same type size as the text that follows it. An exclamation point should follow the signal word. See Figure 6.

Example 6A:General text general text general text general text.

WARNING! This is an embedded safety message. This is an embedded safety message. This is an embedded safety message.

General text general text general text.

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Example 6B:General text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text. WARNING! This is an embedded safety message. This is an embedded safety message. This is an embedded safety message. General text general text general text.

Example 6C:General text general text general text general text.

This is an embedded safety message. This is an embedded safety message. This is an embedded safety message.


Figure 6Examples of embedded safety messages with signal words

9.4.2 Safety alert symbol A safety alert symbol may be used without a signal word to call attention to safety messages that would be assigned the signal words “WARNING” or “CAUTION.” When used alone, the safety alert symbol should appear to the left of the safety message, but not above it. See Figure 7. A safety alert symbol shall not be used alone with safety messages that would be assigned the signal word “DANGER;” “DANGER” safety messages should be formatted according to Section 9.4.1.

The safety alert symbol may precede embedded safety messages that start in the middle of a line of text, as shown in Figure 7, Example 7B.

Example 7A:General text general text general text general text general text generaltext general text general text general text general text.

This is an embedded safety message. This is an embeddedsafety message. This is an embedded safety message. This is anembedded safety message.

General text general text general text general text general text generaltext general text general text general text general text.

Example 7B:General text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text general text. This is an embedded safety message. This is an embedded safety message. General text general text general text general text.

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Figure 7Examples of embedded safety messages with safety alert symbols

9.4.3 Embedded safety message text The text of an embedded safety message may be differentiated from other, non-safety information (e.g., using bold, semi-bold, or italic typeface, or different color text). If any type of differentiation is used, embedded messages should be differentiated in a consistent manner within a document.

10 Property damage messagesRequirements for safety messages do not apply to property damage messages. This standard does not require that property damage-only messages be presented using any particular format; however, safety message formats may be used for property damage messages if the requirements in Section 10.1 to 10.5 are met.

10.1 Signal wordWhen a signal word is used for a property-damage only message, “NOTICE” shall be used.

10.2 ColorWhen color is used with the signal word “NOTICE,” safety blue shall be used. Safety red, safety orange, and safety yellow shall not be used.

10.3 Safety alert symbolThe safety alert symbol shall not be used with property damage messages.

10.4 Supplemental directivesSupplemental directives may refer to both safety messages and property damage messages. Such supplemental directives may be presented using any of the formats in Section 6 of this standard.

10.5 Grouped safety messagesProperty damage messages shall not be provided among grouped safety messages unless the property damage messages are clearly distinguished from the safety messages by use of meaningful headings, sub-headings, signal words, or other distinguishing features.

11 References11.1 GeneralThis standard shall be used in conjunction with American National Standards listed in Section 11.2. Other standards listed in Section 11.3 contain additional information that can be useful in completing the requirements of this standard.

11.2 American National StandardsWhen the following American National Standards are superseded by a revision approved by the American National Standards Institute, the revision shall apply.

1. ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011), American National Standard Safety Colors (American National Standards Institute, 2011).

2. ANSI Z535.2-2011, American National Standard Environmental and Facility Safety Signs (American National Standards Institute, 2011).

3. ANSI Z535.3-2011, American National Standard Criteria for Safety Symbols (American National Standards Institute, 2011).

4. ANSI Z535.4-2011, American National Standard Product Safety Signs and Labels (American National Standards Institute, 2011).

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5. ANSI Z535.5-2011, American National Standard Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards) (American National Standards Institute, 2011).

11.3 Other standards1. ISO 3864-1:2011, Graphic symbols—Safety colours and safety sign—Part 1: Design principles for

safety signs in workplaces and public areas (International Organization for Standardization, 2011).

2. ISO 3864-2:2004, Graphical symbols—Safety colours and safety signs—Part 2: Design principles for product safety labels (International Organization for Standardization, 2004).

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Annex AProviding Information About Safety Messages in Collateral Materials

and Product Safety Signs and Labels(Informative)

A1 Explanation of signal words and symbols Signal words and safety symbols that are used in a product’s collateral materials or on the product may be defined in collateral materials if space is available.

A1.1 Safety alert symbol The meaning of the safety alert symbol may be provided in collateral materials. The following artwork may be used for this purpose.

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential physical injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

A1.2 Signal words The meaning of the different signal words as defined by the ANSI Z535.6 and ANSI Z535.4 standards may be explained in collateral materials. The following artwork may be used for this purpose.

DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

NOTICE is used to address practices not related to physical injury.

Safety instructions (or equivalent) signs indicate specific safety-related instructions or procedures.

A1.3 Other highlighting conventions The meaning of any other highlighting conventions used to differentiate safety messages (e.g., text manipulations, indention, etc.) may be explained in collateral materials.

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A1.4 Safety symbolsThe meaning of any safety symbols used on safety labels or collateral materials may be explained in collateral materials.

A2 Product safety signs and labels A2.1 Presence, location, and content Information identifying the presence, location, and content of product safety signs or labels may be provided in collateral materials. Product safety signs may be reproduced in collateral materials. The purpose and expected life of the document, as well as the location and expected life of the labels, should be considered when deciding whether to provide this information. Space considerations in the document may also be considered when deciding whether to include such information.

A2.2 Maintenance or replacement Information on maintenance and/or replacement of product safety signs and labels may be provided in collateral materials. The expected life of the product, the labels, and the document should be considered when deciding whether to provide this information. Space considerations in the document may also be considered when deciding whether to include such information.

A2.3 References to collateral materialsIf product safety signs or labels refer readers to collateral materials for additional safety information, relevant information should be provided in the referenced document(s).

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Annex BTranslations of Signal Words

(Informative)

B1 Scope Translation of the signal words and word message are optional considerations. These translations may vary by region and dialect. It is recommended that translations be checked regarding their appropriateness for the intended audience.

Table B1Translation of Signal Words

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Annex CRisk Estimation and Signal Word Selection

(Informative)

C1 ScopeSignal words for safety messages are selected based on the risk that results from not following the safety message. The level of risk determines signal words and safety colors. This annex provides guidance for estimating risk and selecting signal words.

C2 DefinitionsC2.1 accident: An incident that results in harm, property damage, or both.

C2.2 harm: Any degree of physical injury, including death.

C2.3 hazard: A potential source of harm.

C2.4 hazardous situation: A condition or act that is contrary to the implicit or explicit instructions of a safety message and that produces an increased risk of harm. The presence of the condition or performance of the act may be intentional or unintentional; however, conditions or acts that are implemented with the intention of causing harm are not considered hazardous situations within the scope of this standard.

C2.5 incident: An unintended or undesired event.

C2.6 risk: A combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm.

C3 Risk estimationC3.1 GeneralRisk estimation involves (a) considering the probability and severity of outcomes that can result from a hazardous situation, and (b) combining these estimates to determine the risk. While quantitative risk assessment is possible in certain limited circumstances, only qualitative risk estimates are possible in most cases. For the purpose of safety messages classification (i.e., assigning a signal word and safety color), qualitative risk estimation is commonplace and generally appropriate.

There are numerous methods for estimating the risk posed by a hazardous situation. This section outlines one method that is specifically designed to assist in assigning signal words according to the definitions in this standard. For information about other risk estimation methods or models, see the references at the end of this annex.

C3.2 Hazardous situationSafety messages provide instructions, explicit or implicit, regarding how to avoid hazardous situations. In order to select the appropriate signal word, risk must be estimated for the particular hazardous situation or situations.

Note that for the purposes of signal word selection, it does not matter why a safety message might not be followed (e.g., failure to read the message or conscious decision to ignore the message); the hazardous situation associated with a message is the same, regardless of why the message is not followed.

When a safety message addresses more than one hazardous situation, the risk associated with each hazardous situation should be estimated. In these cases, the signal word corresponding to the greatest risk level is used (see Section 5.1.2).

C3.3 Model of events resulting from a hazardous situationFigure C1 shows the possible results of a hazardous situation.

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Figure C1Model of the Possible Results of a Hazardous Situation

A hazardous situation (i.e., the result of not following a safety message) may or may not result in an accident. If an accident occurs, it results in harm if some degree of physical injury occurs. The harm can be classified by severity.

C3.4 Severity

C3.4.1 Classification of severity As shown in Figure C1, there are two classifications for severity of harm: death or serious injury, and moderate or minor injury.

C3.4.1.1 Death or serious injurySerious injury to humans is more severe than minor or moderate injury, and typically has one or more of the following characteristics:

a. permanent loss of function or significant disfigurement;

b. substantial and prolonged medical treatment required;

c. long periods of disability;

d. considerable pain and suffering over long periods of time.

Examples of serious injuries include amputations, severe burns, and loss or impairment of vision or hearing.

C3.4.1.2 Moderate or minor injuryModerate or minor injury to humans does not include death or serious injury, and typically does not result in permanent disability or significant disfigurement or pain. Examples of minor or moderate injuries include cuts, scratches, and irritation.

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Harm

Property Damage

Moderate or Minor Injury

Death or Serious Injury

No AccidentAccident

Hazardous Situation

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C3.4.2 Hazardous situations resulting in multiple severitiesWhen the outcome of an event includes results falling into more than one of the severity classifications, the most severe classification should be used. For example, an event that results in both minor injury to one body part and serious injury to another should be classified as “serious injury or death.”

C3.4.3 Worst credible severity A hazardous situation can result in a variety of outcomes, each with varying likelihood. When selecting a signal word, it is necessary to determine the worst credible severity that can result from a hazardous situation. Only outcomes that are credible possibilities should be considered.

C3.5 Probability of harmFor the purpose of signal word selection, probability of harm includes the probability of an accident and the probability of the worst credible severity occurring if there is an accident.

The probability of the safety message not being followed should not be included in an estimate of risk for the purpose of signal word selection.

C3.5.1 Probability of accidentThe probability of an accident if a hazardous situation exists (i.e., if the safety message is not followed) should be estimated. The probability of an accident includes the probability of accidents of any severity.

C3.5.2 Probability of worst credible severity The probability of the worst credible severity resulting if an accident occurs should be estimated. To estimate the probability of the worst credible severity, it is necessary to include not only the likelihood of the worst credible severity, but also the likelihood of all other outcomes that fall within the worst credible severity category (e.g., if the worst credible severity is death, then include all outcomes that are in the category "serious injury or death").

C3.5.3 Estimating probabilityFor the purposes of assigning signal words, probability need not be determined quantitatively, or with great precision. Signal words are assigned based on estimates of probability using two qualitative categories: "will" and "could."

C3.5.3.1 Will "Will" indicates an event that is expected to happen with near certainty.

C3.5.3.2 Could"Could" indicates an event that is possible, but not nearly certain.

C4 Signal word selectionA signal word is selected according to the risk presented by the hazardous situation that the safety message addresses. In other words, signal word selection is based on the risk posed if the safety message is not followed.

The risk is determined based on:

a. worst credible severity if an accident occurs;

b. probability of an accident if the hazardous situation occurs (i.e., if the safety message is not followed); and

c. probability of the worst credible severity occurring.

C4.1 Signal word selection matricesThe following matrices show the signal words and colors that are assigned for each combination of accident probability, worst credible severity, and probability of worst credible severity.

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ANSI Z535.6-2016, v0.0

If the worst credible severity is death or serious injury:

Probability of Accident ifHazardous Situation is Not Avoided

Will Could

Probability of Deathor Serious Injury ifAccident Occurs

Will

Could

If the worst credible severity is minor or moderate injury:

For all Probabilities

If there is no credible risk of physical injury:

For all Probabilities

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C4.3 Signal word selection processThe signal word selection process is summarized in Figure C2.

Figure C2—Signal word selection process

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Possible

Possible

No

No

Yes

Almost certain

Almost certain

If accident occurs, how likelyis death or serious injury?

If hazardous situation occurs, how likely is

accident?

Is death or serious injury a credible possibility?

Is physical injury a credible possibility?

Use "DANGER"

Use "WARNING"

Use "CAUTION"

Use "NOTICE"

Yes

ANSI Z535.6-2016, v0.0

2016 Revisions

The ANSI Accredited Standards Committee Z535 plans to issue the next revisions of the Z535 standards (Z535.1 through Z535.6) in December 2016. In order to meet that deadline, the committee developed the following tentative timetable:

All proposed changes are due: June 30, 2014Revisions will be finalized for letter balloting: April 15, 2015Letter balloting will be completed by: July 15, 2015Public reviews will be completed by: March 1, 2016Drafts will be ready to submit to the publisher: May 31, 2016Published: December 15, 2016

All proposed changes must be submitted by June 30, 2014. Any proposals received after that date will be deferred to subsequent revisions. In order to facilitate the next revision, proposed changes must be submitted on a form for that specific purpose, which is on the next page. Please send this form to:

Secretary, ANSI Committee Z535National Electrical Manufacturers Association1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752Rosslyn, VA 22209

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ANSI Z535.6-2016, v0.0

ANSI Accredited Standards Committee Z535on Safety Signs and Colors

FORM FOR PROPOSALS

Return to: Secretary, ANSI Committee Z535National Electrical Manufacturers Association1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752Rosslyn, VA 22209

Name _________________________________________ Date ______________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

Representing _______________________________________________________________(Please indicate organization or self.)

E-mail Address ________________________________ Telephone ____________________

1. a. Standard Title __________________________________________________

b. Section/Paragraph ______________________________________________

2. Proposal recommends (check one): New TextRevised TextDeleted Text

3. Proposal (Include the proposed new or revised text, or identify the words to be deleted. Underline additions and strikethrough deletions.)

4. Statement of the Problem or Reason 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 is the submitter’s own idea based upon his/her own experience, thought, or research, and to the best of his/her knowledge, is not copied from another source.

I agree to give NEMA all and full rights, including rights of copyright, in this proposal, and I understand that I acquire no rights in any standards publication in which this proposal in this or another similar or analogous form is used.

_________________________________________Signature

Please do not write in the space below.Date Received: Log #

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