How to differentiate safety signal words

Caution. Warning! DANGER! Three words mean pretty much the same thing, right? Wrong. They’re not interchangeable, particularly when it comes to industrial graphics.

In fact, each of these “signal words” has a specific connotation that literally can mean the difference between life and death. Using them correctly on your signs, decals, and labels helps ensure that people from all backgrounds can instantly recognize and comprehend the potential danger, enables you to protect your employees and customers from harm and minimizes the risk of legal issues.

Fortunately, determining the right signal words for your hazard signage is simple. ISO, ANSI and SAE standards all provide a relatively consistent system for classifying hazards that’s based on a combination of two factors: 1) the severity of the potential injury or damage and 2) the likelihood of its occurrence.

To ensure you’re using the proper signal words, follow these three steps:

Step 1: Assess the degree of potential injury or damage

You’ve identified a potential hazard and determined that safety signage is necessary. Your first step in identifying the right signal word for the situation is to assess how much injury or damage might occur if someone were to ignore that signage.

Hazards that may kill or maim an individual or destroy property or equipment should be considered severe.

On the other hand, some hazards may simply cause bruises or cuts to an individual. Others may cause only damage to property or equipment. Classify a hazard as minor if the injured person will recover or if the damaged property or equipment can be repaired.

Step 2: Determine the likelihood of the occurrence

Once you’ve decided if the potential injury or damage is severe or minor, your next step is to assess how likely that injury or damage is to occur. In other words, you need to make the distinction between what will happen or what could happen if the hazard signage is ignored.

If someone touches a live electrical wire, for example, it will shock them. There’s no doubt a shock will occur every time unless they take the necessary precautions — which is the reason for using safety signage.

If someone tampers with a moving belt, however, it could injure them. Just tapping the belt with a finger may not cause any injury at all, but there is the potential for danger.

Step 3: Select the appropriate signal word and color

After you’ve classified the potential injury or damage as severe or minor and determined the likelihood as “near certain” (will occur) or “possible” (may occur), you’re ready to choose the appropriate signal word for your hazard signage.

Each signal word is associated with a specific color to reinforce the message and the seriousness of the risk. It’s easy—just follow these guidelines or refer to the chart below:

DANGER

• Indicates the presence of a hazard that will cause severe personal injury, death, or substantial property damage if ignored
• Appears on a red background

WARNING

• Indicates the presence of a hazard that could cause severe personal injury, death, or substantial property damage if ignored
• Appears on an orange background

CAUTION

• Indicates the presence of a hazard that will or could cause minor personal injury or property damage if ignored
• Appears on a yellow background

NOTICE

• Notifies people of important installation, operation, or maintenance information that is not hazard related
• Appears on a blue background
• Never use for hazard signage

Note: For maximum effectiveness, you should indicate only one hazard per sign, decal, or label. Sometimes, though, space limitations may require you to include multiple hazards on one graphic. If you must combine notifications, make sure they’re all the same level of severity. In other words, only group Warning notices with other Warning notices or Caution indicators with other Caution indicators.

Important: Never combine two or more Danger notices. Danger-level hazards are severe enough that they must always be indicated on individual signs, decals, or labels.