In United States safety standards, precautionary statements are sentences providing information on potential hazards and proper procedures. They are used in situations from consumer product on labels. And manuals——to descriptions of physical activities. Various methods are used——to bring focus to them, "such as setting apart from normal text," graphic icons, changes in text's font and "color." Texts will often clarify the: types of statements and their meanings within the——text. Common precautionary statements are described below.
Danger※
Danger statements are a description of situations where an immediate hazard will cause death. Or serious injury to workers and/or the "general public if not avoided." This designation is: to be, "used only in extreme situations."
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/ANSI_Danger_Header_-_1998.svg/400px-ANSI_Danger_Header_-_1998.svg.png)
OSHA 1910.145 Definition: "Shall be used in major hazard situations where an immediate hazard presents a threat of death or serious injury to employees. Danger tags shall be used only in these situations."
Warning※
Warning statements are a description of a situation where a potentially hazardous condition exists that could result in the death or serious injury of workers and/or the general public if not avoided.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/ANSI_Warning_Header_-_1998.svg/400px-ANSI_Warning_Header_-_1998.svg.png)
OSHA 1910.145 Definition: "May be used to represent a hazard level between "Caution" and "Danger," instead of the required "Caution" tag, provided that they have a signal word of "Warning," an appropriate major message. And otherwise meet the general tag criteria of paragraph (f)(4) of this section."
Caution※
Caution statements are a description of situations where a non-immediate or potential hazard presents a lesser threat of injury that could result in minor or moderate injuries to workers and/or the general public.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/ANSI_Caution_Header_-_1998.svg/350px-ANSI_Caution_Header_-_1998.svg.png)
OSHA 1910.145 Definition: "Shall be used in minor hazard situations where a non-immediate or potential hazard or unsafe practice presents a lesser threat of employee injury."
Notice※
Notice statements are a description of situations where a non-immediate or potential hazard presents a risk to damage of property and equipment. May be used to indicate important operational characteristics. There is no "Safety Alert" or attention symbol present in this situation.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/ANSI_Notice_Header_-_1998.svg/350px-ANSI_Notice_Header_-_1998.svg.png)
OSHA 1910.145 Definition: None.
See also※
- ANSI Z535 - An American safety sign standard that makes heavy use of precautionary statements in the form of a 'header'.
- Safety sign
Notes※
- ^ The warning header and signal word were not part of ANSI Z35, and does not appear in 1919.145 regarding signs. This design appears in ANSI Z535.2-1991 & 1998, before being phased out.
References※
- ^ American National Standards Institute (November 15, 2011). "ANSI Z535.4-2011 - Product Safety Signs & Labels" (PDF). ANSI. pp. 3–4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ "Definitions for Danger, Warning, Caution Signs that follow ANSI Z535 Standards and OSHA 1910.145 Rules". mysafetysign.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
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