PREAMBLE (NOT PART OF THE STANDARD)

In order to promote public education and public safety, equal justice for all, a better informed citizenry, the rule of law, world trade and world peace, this legal document is hereby made available on a noncommercial basis, as it is the right of all humans to know and speak the laws that govern them.

END OF PREAMBLE (NOT PART OF THE STANDARD)

USAS    
Z35.2-1968

USA Standard
Specifications for Accident Prevention Tags

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USAS    
Z35.2-1968

USA Standard Specifications for Accident Prevention Tags

Sponsor
National Safety Council

Approved September 18,1968
United States of America Standards Institute

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USA Standard

A USA Standard implies a consensus of those substantially concerned with its scope and provisions. A USA Standard is intended as a guide to aid the manufacturer, the consumer, and the general public. The existence of a USA Standard does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether he has approved the standard or not, from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures not conforming to the standard. USA Standard are subject to periodic review and users are cautioned to obtain the latest editions. Procedures of goods made in conformity with a USA Standard are encouraged to state on their own responsibility in advertising, promotion material, or on tags or labels, that the goods are produced in conformity with particular USA Standards.

Published by

United States of America Standards Institute

_______________

No portion of this publication may be quoted or reproduced in any form without the written permission of the United States of America Standards Institute.

Printed in USA

A3C173/225

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Foreword

(This Foreword is not part of USA Standard Specifications for Accident Prevention Tags, Z35.2-1968.)

These specifications were formulated according to the procedure of the USA Standards Institute under the administrative leadership of the National Safety Council, and with the following scope:

Design, application, and use of warning signs or symbols (other than slogans) indended to indicate and, in so far as possible, to define specific hazards of a nature such that failure to so designate them may cause, or tend to cause accidental injury to workers, or the public, or both.

The reactivation of the USA Standards Committee on Specifications for Industrial Accident Prevention Signs was begun in mid-1964. At that time the committee suggested that a standard on tags and labels be undertaken, by a subcommittee of Z35 members chaired by Mr. Michael O’Dwyer. Thus, the development and revision of the two standards became concurrent. The full committee, in session on April 22, 1966, decided against the treating of labels in the Z35.2 standard, because it found itself insufficiently staffed and unqualified to write a standard covering that subject.

Suggestions for improvement gained in the use of this standard will be welcomed. They should be sent to the United States of America Standards Institute.

USA Standards Committee Z35 consisted of the following personnel at the time action was taken on this standard:

                          L. W. Hagerup, Chairman                       T.F. Bresnahan, Secretary

Organization Represented Name of Representative
American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations (Representation Vacant)
American Mutual Insurance Alliance C. Dewey
F. H. Deeg (Alt)
American Insurance Association W. C. Trimmer
J. Gillice (Alt)
American Society of Safety Engineers C. E. Peitscher
A. P. Chiappa (Alt)
Associated General Contractors of America F. M. Livingston. Jr
A. L. Schmuhl (Alt)
Association of American Railroads H. E. Shaughnessy
Building Constructors Employers Association H. McRae
Eastern Metal of Elmira, Inc B. M. Names
Electric Light and Power Group D. R. Poole
A. T. Higgins (Alt)
Industrial Accident Prevention Associations (Liaison) R. G. Anderson
S. G. Twist (Alt)
Industrial Safety Equipment Association J. S. Adkins
C. N. Sumwalt. Jr (Alt)
International Association of Governmental Labor Officials J. F. Nimick
T. A. Oravecz
H. G. Lacey (Alt)
W. McCoy (Alt)
Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company G. B. Caples
L. Solyntjes (Alt)
National Safety Council L. W. Hagerup
T. F. Bresnahan (Alt)
Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute W. C. Webster
Telephone Group V. J. Meyers
J. R. Langwig (Alt)
U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards G. Yatsko
P. Cestrone (Alt)
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Contents

Introduction 5
1. Scope, Purpose, and Effective Date 5
2. Definitions 5
3. Do Not Start Tags 5
4. Danger Tags 5
5. Caution Tags 5
6. Out of Order Tags 6
7. Radiation Tags 6
8. Biological Hazard Tags 7
9. Tag Specifications 7
  9.1 Sizes 7
  9.2 Stock 7
  9.3 Patch Reinforcement 7
10. Revision of USA Standard Referred to in This Document 8
Table 1 Specifications for Accident Prevention Tags 8
Figures
  Fig. 1 Do Not Start Tag 6
  Fig. 2 Danger Tag 6
  Fig. 3 Caution Tag 6
  Fig. 4 Out of Order Tag 7
  Fig. 5 Radiation Tag 7
  Fig. 6 Biological Hazard Tag 7
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USA Standard Specifications for Accident Prevention Tags

Introduction

Accident prevention tags are to be used as a temporary means of warning employees of an existing hazard. They should not be used in place of, or as a substitute for, accident prevention signs.

1. Scope, Purpose, and Effective Date

1.1 Scope. The tags are a temporary means of warning all concerned of a hazardous condition, defective equipment, radiation hazards, etc. The tags are not to be considered as a complete warning method, but should be used untill a positive means can be employed to eliminate the hazard; for example, a “Do Not Start” tag on power equipment shall be used for a few moments or a very short time until the switch in the system can be locked out; a “Defective Equipment” tag shall be placed on a damaged ladder and immediate arrangements made for the ladder to be taken out of service and sent to the repair shop.

1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to establish a set of specifications for tags based on experience and previous use. The tags are to be used in industry, mercantile establishments, or wherever such tags can be utilized to help prevent accidental injury to personnel or damage to property, or both.

1.3 Effective Date. It is not intended that accident prevention tags in use at the time of approval of this standard be replaced immediately with tags that conform to this standard. They should be replaced only as need requires.

2. Definitions

2.1 The word “tag” as used in these specifications refers to a surface (usually card, paper, pasteboard, or some temporary or nonpermanent material) on which letters or markings, or both, appear. These letters or markings, or both, are for warning (cautioning) or safety instruction of employees who may be exposed to hazards. They are to be affixed to the device in question by string, wire, or adhesive.

2.2 The word “shall” is to be understood as mandatory.

2.3 The word “should” is to be understood as advisory.

2.4 The word “approved” means approval by the authority having jurisdiction.

3. Do Not Start Tags

3.1 The standard background color for Do Not Start tags shall be red. (See Fig. 1.)

3.2 Letters shall be white or grey or etched, provided that a long-lasting and sharp contrast results.

3.3 Do Not Start tags shall be placed in a conspicuous location or shall be placed in such a manner that they effectively block the starting mechanism which would cause hazardous conditions should the equipment be energized.

4. Danger Tags

4.1 Danger tags should be used only where an immediate hazard exists. There should be no variation in the type of design of tags posted or hung to warn of specific dangers. (See Fig. 2.)

4.2 All employees should be instructed that Danger tags indicate immediate danger and that special precautions are necessary.

5. Caution Tags

5.1 Caution tags should be used only to warn

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Fig. 1 Do Not Start Tag

Fig. 1 Do Not Start Tag

Fig. 2 Danger Tag

Fig. 2 Danger Tag

Fig. 3 Caution Tag

Fig. 3 Caution Tag

against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices. (See Fig. 3.)

5.2 All employees should be instructed that Caution tags indicate a possible hazard against which proper precautions should be taken.

5.3 Caution tags might include such messages as:

Caution—Do Not Operate, Men Working on Repairs

Caution—Hands Off, Men Working on Line

Caution—Working on Machines—Do Not Start

Caution—Stop Machinery to Clean, Oil or Repair

6. Out of Order Tags

Out of Order tags should be used only for the specific purpose of indicating that a piece of equipment, machinery, etc. is out of order and to attempt to use it might present a hazard. (See Fig. 4.)

7. Radiation Tags

7.1 The standard background for Radiation tags shall be yellow; the panel shall be reddish purple. Any letters used against the yellow background shall be black. The colors shall be those of opaque glossy samples as specified in Table 1. Fundamental Specification of Safety Colors for CIE Standard Source “C” USA Standard Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards and the Identification of Certain Equipment, Z53.1-1967.

7.2 The method of dimension, design, and orientation of the standard symbol (one blade pointed downward and centered on the vertical axis) shall be executed as illustrated in Fig. 5. The symbol shall be prominently displayed and of a size consistent with the size of the equipment or area in which it is to be used.

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Fig. 4 Out of Order Tag

Fig. 4 Out of Order Tag

Fig. 5 Radiation Tag

Fig. 5 Radiation Tag

Fig. 6 Biological Hazard Tag

Fig. 6 Biological Hazard Tag

8. Biological Hazard Tags

8.1 The standard background color for the Biological Hazard symbol is optional as long as there is sufficient contrast for the symbol to be clearly defined. The symbol design (see Fig. 6) shall be a fluorescent orange or orangered color.

8.2 The Biological Hazard tag shall be used to signify the actual or potential presence of a biohazard and to identify equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or combinations thereof, which contain or are contaminated with viable hazardous agents.

8.3 For the purpose of this standard the term biological hazard shall include only those infectious agents presenting a risk or potential risk to the well-being of man.

9. Tag Specifications

9.1 Sizes. (See Table 1.) The Federal Specification on Shipping and Stock Tags, UU-T-81, Oct 1965, has adopted standard sizes for shipping tags but manufacturers can, and do, deviate from these sizes.

9.2 Stock. The choice of the proper stock for tags can differ according to the use to which it is to be put. Although Federal Specification UU-T-81 does describe tag stock, manufacturers are not required to conform to these in the manufacture of accident prevention tags.

9.3 Patch Reinforcement. While the shape of a patch may differ between manufacturers, the patch is universally made from 100 percent chemical wood pulp stock and can either be a fiber or coated material. Minimum thickness for the patch, as specified in UU-T-81, is 0.010 inches. Although the diameter of the hole of the patch may vary, Image inch is generally recognized as standard. As an additional reinforcing measure, metal eyelets, normally Image inch, may be inserted into the patch hole.

Patches may be attached with waterproof adhesive when tag is subject to abnormal

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humidity conditions. Individual manufacturers will have varying standards on waterproof adhesive.

10. Revision of USA Standard Referred to in This Document

When the following USA Standard referred to in this document is superseded by a revision approved by the USA Standards Institute, the revision shall apply:

USA Standards Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards and the Identification of Certain Equipment, Z53.1-1967

Table 1 Specifications for Accident Prevention Tags
See Section Basic Stock
(Background)
Safety Colors
(Ink)
Copy Specification
(Letters)
Attachments
3 White Red Do Not Start Strung (minimum No. 9 twine)
Wired (23 gage steel wire)
4 White Black and Red Danger Strung (minimum No. 9 twine)
Wired (23 gage steel wire)
5 Yellow Black Caution Strung (minimum No. 9 twine)
Wired (23 gage steel wire)
6 White Black Out of Order Strung (minimum No. 9 twine)
Wired (23 gage steel wire)
7 Yellow Reddish Purple Radiation Strung (minimum No. 9 twine)
Wired (23 gage steel wire)
8 Optional Fluorescent Orange or Orange-Red Biological Hazard Strung (minimum No. 9 twine)
Wired (23 gage steel wire)
8 9 10