OSHA Compliant Signs and Labels
General Sign Design Considerations
 When making OSHA compliant safety signs, we do not want a sign that presents a safety hazard itself. OSHA specifies that signs must have rounded or blunt corners and they will not have any sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp projections. OSHA also specifies that the means of attaching the sign to a wall, post or other supporting material not cause any hazard. For example, the ends or heads of bolts or other fastening devices must be located in such a way that they do not constitute a hazard.
OSHA does not define the size of the sign or of the lettering. They refer to the ANSI Z535.2-2002 standard for these specifications.
In general, the wording on signs should be easily read and concise. Use a few words as possible, keeping in mind that the sign needs to contain sufficient information to be easily understood. Sign wording should make a positive, rather than negative suggestion and it should be factually accurate. Don't use a sign to tell a story, give people the information they need in a way such that they can quickly understand the danger and take appropriate action.
OSHA Compliant Danger signs.
 When making danger signs you need to establish a design standard, and stick with it. OSHA says that there can not be any variation in the design of signs used to warn of specific dangers or radiation hazards.
The standards for designing an OSHA compliant danger sign state that the colors red, black, and white are used for danger signs.
In addition to sign design, OSHA says that all employees must be trained so they know that danger signs indicate an immediate danger and that special precautions are required.
OSHA Compliant Caution signs.
 Caution signs are only used to warn about potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices. OSHA requires that all employees be trained that caution signs indicate that a possible hazard exists and they need to take the proper precautions.
The caution sign OSHA design standard is that the body of the sign will have a yellow background with black printing. There will be a panel at the top that has a black background with yellow lettering.
OSHA Compliant Safety Instruction Signs.
 Safety instruction signs are used where there is a need for general safety information,. instructions or suggestions related to safety.
The standard colors for safety instruction signs is a white background with black printing. A green panel is printed at the top with white letters.
OSHA Compliant Biological Hazard Signs.
A biological hazard warning sign is used to warn of the actual or potential presence of an infectious agent presenting a risk of death, injury or illness. Biological hazard warning signs are also identify equipment,  containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or combinations these, which contain, or are contaminated with, viable hazardous agents.
OSHA compliant biological hazard signs should incorporate the biological hazard warning symbol shown here.
OSHA Compliant Labels: The above discussed OSHA signs, but did not specifically mention labels. OSHA compliant labels should be designed to the same standards... for example they should use the same colors as signs. In particular, be consistent in your design so that labels look like your signs. Variations in design can result in confusion, or at a minimum the need to take more time to read and understand the label. The design of the label or sign, the colors used, how pictograms are used, what the header looks like, communicates information much quicker than the text on the sign. Use that communication effectively by being consistent in your design or signs and labels.
ANSI Requirements For Safety Signs
OSHA requirements must always be followed. However, OSHA does not specify technical aspects for signs such as the sign size, text size and placement. When OSHA does not have a requirement, then ANSI standards should be followed. Of course, all federal, state or municipal regulations that apply must also be followed.
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