510 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 1-8

8-8. General Requirements.

General Sign, Tag, and Label Requirements

All signs, tags, and labels must comply with this manual, and federal, state, and local standards (e.g., OSHA, ANSI).
Provide signs, tags, and labels to adequately warn and instruct workers and the public about hazards.
Ensure signs, tags, and labels are always visible when hazards exist and remove them when the hazard is gone.

Sign Requirements

Place safety signs to inform viewers in time to take evasive actions and avoid harm. Signs must be intuitive and legible.
Ensure safety sign finishes are durable and colors comply with USACE or ANSI standards.
Signs must have rounded or blunt corners and be free from sharp projections. Fastening devices must not present a hazard.

Sign Types

DANGER Signs: For imminent hazards leading to death or serious injury.
WARNING Signs: For potential hazards that could cause death or serious injury.
CAUTION Signs: For potential hazards that may cause minor or moderate injury or property damage.

Remember, signs must be concise, easy to read, and retroreflective if required to be seen at night. USACE employees should refer to the USACE Sign Standards Manual for specific guidelines.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

8-6. What sign type informs employees about potential hazards that could cause death or serious injury?

Danger signs

Caution signs

Warning signs

Informational signs

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 8-8 (a.–c.).

8-8. General Requirements. (a.–c.)

a.  General Sign, Tag, and Label Requirements.

(1)  All signs, tags, and labels must meet this manual, applicable federal, state, and local requirements (for example, OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, MUTCD).  It is the responsibility of the employer to meet the correct safety standard for the type of facility or job they are working on.

Note.  Temporary use of signs, tags, and labels on a USACE project may meet OSHA
    or ANSI standards.

Note.  USACE facilities must use signs according to EP 310-1-6a.

(2)  Provide signs, tags, and labels to give adequate warning and caution of hazards. They are provided to instruct and direct workers and the public.

(3)  All signs, tags, and labels must be visible at all times when the hazard or problem exists. Remove or cover them when the hazard or problem no longer exists.

(4)  Locate signs, tags, and labels as close as safely possible to their respective hazards. Affix tags by a positive means (such as wire, string, or adhesive) that prevents their loss or unintentional removal.

(5)  Signs, tags, and labels must be legible and in English.

(a)  In areas where a significant percentage of the workforce or the visiting population speaks primarily in a foreign language, the use of symbol signs is strongly encouraged.

(b)  When no symbols exist or where words are essential, two signs, one in English and one in the foreign language, should be placed side by side with the English sign placed on the left side.  Each of the two signs must follow the same format (that is, same overall size, letter size and style, color, and mounting).  More than one language should never appear on the same sign.

b.  Sign Requirements. (8-8.b)

(1)  Place safety signs to alert and inform the viewer within a sufficient timeframe to take appropriate evasive actions and to avoid potential harm from the hazard according to this manual, applicable federal, state, and local requirements. Signs must be legible, intuitive, and non-distracting to the viewer.  Placement of signs should not create additional hazards.  Signs must be fabricated with retro-reflective sheeting, as appropriate for adequate visibility under normal and emergency operating conditions.

(2)  Safety sign finishes must be of durable materials with colors according to the USACE Sign Standards Manual (that is, EP 310-1-6a and EP 310-1-6b) or ANSI Z535.1.

(3)  Furnish signs with rounded or blunt corners that are free from sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp projections.  The ends or heads of bolts or other fastening devices must be installed and maintained so that they do not present a hazard.

(4)  The type of sign or tag used in a particular situation must be appropriate for the degree of hazard or intent of message.

(5)  Place Warning signs on unattended government-owned floating plant and land-based heavy equipment accessible to the public.  The Warning sign must read “No
    Trespassing – U.S. Government Property.”

(6)  Place a slow-moving vehicle emblem/sign on vehicles or equipment that, by design, move at 25 mph (40 km/h) or less that travel on public roads.

Note.  USACE employees must follow the USACE Sign Standards Manual.  If a sign with a unique legend for Danger, Warning, or Caution is needed, follow the USACE Sign Standards Manual instruction to request approval for a nonstandard safety sign. The sign legend must be concise, easy to read, and contain enough information to be easily understood. Text for custom (that is, other than Danger, Warning, or Caution) signs must be approved by the local USACE Sign Manager.

(7)  Signs required to be seen at night must be retroreflective.

c.  Sign Types.  (8-8.c)

(1)  DANGER Signs.  Use Danger signs when the circumstances indicate an imminently hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

(2)  WARNING Signs. Use Warning signs when the circumstances indicate a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious
    injury.  The hazards may be the same as those associated with Danger signs but are of significantly less magnitude.

(3)  CAUTION Signs. Use Caution signs when circumstances indicate a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may result in a minor or moderate injury.  It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices that may result in property damage.  The hazards may be the same as those associated with Danger signs but are of significantly less magnitude.

(4)  NOTICE Signs.  Use Notice signs to indicate a statement of company/ organizational (for example, USACE offices, contractors) policy directly or indirectly related to the safety of personnel or protection of property.  The signal word should not be associated directly with a hazard or hazardous situation, and must not be used in place of Danger, Warning, or Caution.  These signs are used to control or define access and circulation. They are used primarily for information and are not placed to identify a hazard.

(5)  SAFETY Signs.  Use general safety signs to indicate general instructions relative to safe work practices, remind of proper safety procedures, or indicate the location of safety equipment.  These signs identify rules and facilities relating to health, first aid, medical equipment, sanitation, housekeeping practice, and general safety information.

(6)  Fire safety signs must conform to applicable NFPA requirements.

(7)  Use RF radiation hazard warning signs according to ANSI Z535.2.

(8) Use ionizing radiation warning signs, labels, and signals according to the applicable ANSI and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standards.