Making Safety / Hazard Warning
Signs, Labels & Tags

Safety, hazard and warning signs ensure that emergency personnel, employees, and building occupants have adequate information concerning dangers in the workplace. Employers are usually required by law to post and maintain these kinds of signs in appropriate areas.

This tutorial presents the basic design requirements for the most frequently used types of safety signs.

As a facility manager, it is often difficult to decide what style of hazard warning sign should be used. The links at right will help you choose and design the right kind sign for your particular requirements.

It is important that hazard warning signs are consistent. Standardized patterns, phrases, colors, shapes and pictograms increase recognition and avoid confusion.

Also, the wording of signs should be concise and easy to read, and contain sufficient information to be easily understood. The wording should be accurate in fact and should make a positive, rather than negative, suggestion.

Both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Occupational Safety Hazard Administration (OSHA) have recommended standards for the use of different kinds of warning signs. These should be consulted before making signs for your facility.

Warning Signs >>

This sign making guide is intended for general information purposes only.
This guide is not a substitute for review of applicable government regulations and standards.