This document is organized in a question/answer format. To jump to a specific question you have, click the appropriate link below.

Standards

• What are the standards I should look to concerning safety labels for products?
• Where do I obtain the current version of the ANSI and ISO standards?
• Is there a conflict between ISO and ANSI over which safety label format to choose?
• What progress has been made towards safety label standards harmonization?
• Are the ANSI Z535 standards a legal requirement for American industry?
• Will I be in compliance with OSHA if I change my safety labels and signs to comply with the newly revised ANSI Z535-2002 standards?
• Why should I comply with the ANSI Z535 Standard?
• What is the relationship between product liability and state-of-the-art safety labels?
• What is "state-of-the-art"?
• Does the 2002 revision of the ANSI Z535.4 Standard incorporate ISO safety label formats?
• Why should I comply with ISO standards?
• How can I stay informed about safety label standards?
• Does a company need to retrofit old equipment in use out in the field with new safety labels?

Formats

• What safety label formats should I consider if I sell my products both in the U.S. and Internationally?
• Can I use the ISO symbol-only formats in the U.S.?
• What is the "harmonized" safety label format?
• How can Clarion assist my company in the design of new safety labels?
• What's wrong with the old OSHA-style formats?

Content, Size and Placement

• What is the proper content for an ANSI Z535.4 safety label?
• What are some before and after examples of safety label revisions?
• What is the right size for a product safety label?
• What is the right placement for a product safety label?
• Can more than one hazard be listed on a safety label?

Signal Words and Colors

• How do I choose the right signal word?
• How do I choose between DANGER and WARNING?
• What signal word can be used on safety labels meant for equipment damage or practices not related to personal injury?
• What is the safety alert symbol?
• Is it important to have the right colors on my safety labels?

Word Messages

• What can I do if I have a lot of text for a safety label?
• Is there a proper proportion for the text on safety labels?
• What does it mean to have the word message in "outline" form?
• Should I use black text on a white background or white text on a black background?

Symbols

• Are symbols necessary?
• Which symbol should I use?
• Can more than one symbol be used on a safety label?
• What are ISO-formatted symbols?
• Should I use ISO-formatted symbols?
• Where can I find the safety symbols I need?
• What are the origins of the symbols that appear on Clarion safety labels?