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United States · US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145
Federal accident-prevention sign requirements.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145 specifies the design, application and use of accident-prevention signs and tags in US workplaces — including DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION headers, colour rules and tag formats.
Where this standard applies
- US-based factories, warehouses and construction sites
- Indian exporters serving US OEMs and supply chains
- Any site auditing to ANSI / OSHA standards
Key requirements
- 1Use DANGER for immediate hazards that will cause death or serious injury if not avoided.
- 2Use WARNING for hazards that could cause death or serious injury.
- 3Use CAUTION for hazards that may cause minor or moderate injury.
- 4All signs must be visible, legible, and use durable materials suitable for the workplace environment.
- 5Wording must be positive, concise, easy to read and accurate on the hazard.
Signal words & colours
| Signal | Meaning | Colour rule |
|---|---|---|
| DANGER | Immediate hazard, will result in serious injury or death. | Red header, white text; black body panel |
| WARNING | Hazard that could result in serious injury or death. | Orange header, black text |
| CAUTION | Hazard that may cause minor or moderate injury. | Yellow header, black text |
| NOTICE | Property damage or general information message. | Blue header, white text |
Recommended signage
References
External links open the issuing authority. This guide is a plain-English summary — always refer to the official text for certification work.