Accident Prevention Signs And Tags
Written by Steve Hudgik
OSHA has a standard the specifies what accident prevention signs and tags should look like on construction sites. It is OSHA 29 CFR 1926.200 "Accident Prevention Signs And Tags." The following provides an overview of this standard.
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OSHA 1926.200 - Accident Prevention Signs And Tags Summary
Accident prevention signs required on construction sites by OSHA 1926.200 must be visible at all times when work is being performed. If the hazard no longer exists, the signs must be promptly removed or covered. Accident prevention signs and tags must not be visible if there is no hazard.
OSHA 1926.200 Danger Signs
Danger signs are to be used only where an immediate hazard exists. OSHA 1926.200 construction danger signs shall have red as the predominating color for the upper panel. The upper panel has a black outline on the borders of the header. The lower panel is white with black text used for the message. Black pictograms and symbols may also be included in the white area.
OSHA 1926.200 Caution Signs
Caution signs are only to be used for warning about potential hazards or to caution about unsafe practices. OSHA 1926.200 caution signs must have yellow as the predominating color. The header is black with the word "caution" in yellow. The lower area is printed with black and is used for the message and any pictograms or symbols.
OSHA 1926.200 Exit Signs
All exits must be identified with an exit sign. Doorways that are not exits should be identified with a sign that says, "Not An Exit." OSHA 1926.200 exit signs must have lettering that is no less than six inches high printed on a white sign background. 
The principal stroke of the letters must be at least three-fourths inch in width.
All other directional (wayfinding) signs, other than automotive traffic signs (see below), must be printed with black lettering or pictograms on a white sign background.
OSHA 1926.200 Safety Information Signs
OSHA 1926.200 safety instruction signs must have a green header with white text. The text in the green header communicates the main message of the sign. Additional safety information, related to the message in the header, is printed in black in the white area below the header. This may include text, pictograms and symbols.
OSHA 1926.200 Traffic Signs
All construction areas must have traffic control signs at any points where there is a hazard. OSHA 1926.200 traffic control signs must be legible from the type of vehicles expected on the construction site and be in compliance with the ANSI D6.1-1971, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways standard.
OSHA 1926.200 Accident Prevention Tags
Accident prevention tags are used to inform workers about hazards such as defective tools and equipment. Tags are never to be used in place of accident prevention signs. The OSHA 1926.200 compliant tag designs are shown below.
Basic Stock |
Safety Colors |
Copy Specification |
White |
Red |
Do Not Operate |
White |
Black and Red |
Danger |
Yellow |
Black |
Caution |
White |
Black |
Out of Order |
The OSHA 1926.200 Accident Prevention Signs And Tags standard provides the safety sign and tag design requirements for construction sites. The above is just a general overview. Please read OSHA 1926.200 and be familiar with it. You should also note that OSHA 1926.200 is different than the ANSI standards in some cases. The OSHA 1926.200 standard should be followed. The ANSI standards should only be followed when they specify something not covered by OSHA 1926.200.
