Safety Sign Information - The Sign Genius

Safety Signs, Parking Signs, Traffic Signs - Now Made Easy

If you are looking for a great selection of Safety Signs, Parking Signs, Traffic Signs, or Safety Labels, you should check out Safetysign.com.  They have redesigned their site to make it easier to find exactly what you are looking for, and they also have a new Custom Sign Generator that allows you to design any sign you want, including your own logos and artwork, and it's super easy to use.  You can get previews of what you are designing right on the screen.  I have never seen a tool with such flexibility before, so you should check it out for yourself.  It's obvious that a lot of thought went into the design of the site, so if you are looking for signs, this is the place to go.

Custom Safety Sign Generator - New Tool on Safetysign.com

I couldn't help but show you some previews of this new Custom Sign Generator that Safetysign.com has developed.  You can check out the real thing at Custom Sign Generator.

1. Select the layout of the product you’d like to customize. 

2. Custom Tool (Wizard) will load only if you have installed the latest Adobe Flash Player (version 10 or higher)

3. Once tool has loaded, it will display various backgrounds (sign blanks or sign headers related to the layout selected on the previous page)

4. Select from any of the background options available any time, just by clicking on any of the images.

5. Changes to the background (sign blank or header) are not possible, background is a static image. That is the reason why some headers or sign blanks are available in multiple color options.Back to top

1. Once you background has been selected, the click on the "Add Text" Tab

2. Click the blue button "Add a New Text Area"

3. A text box that reads "Double Click to Edit" will appear on top of the background image (sign image)

4. Move, Rotate and Resize Text box by using the Resize handles.

5. Resize text box to fit area where text will go.

6. Type in your custom copy.

1. Resize text, change default font, change text color and apply text styles. We recommend to add as a text box per each text styles.

1. Click on the tab "Add Images"

2. Select stock images from any of the Safety Symbol categories available on the drop down menu.

3. All stock images, other than the yellow triangles and prohibition symbols, can be colored by using the small colored boxes on Custom Tool.

4. Resize & Rotate Images by using the resize and rotate black handles that appear when the the image is selected

5. Move, drag and place image by selecting it with your mouse (same way you would do it with images on Microsoft Word)

6. Delete image by clicking the red X icon that appears when images is selected, on the red X button on the toolbar under the sign image (See screen shot below).

1. Under the same tab "Add Images" you'll se a blue button that reads "Upload My Own Image"

2. When you click on that button, a set of terms will come up, to upload your image you must agree to the terms.

3. Upload Image Terms:

• Agree to these terms and then,
• Browse for image
• Online, we only accept the following file formats: .JPG/.PNG/.GIF
• Please note, file upload may take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes depending on your file size and internet connection speed.
• We recommend keeping the screen open.

Image Quality:

• We will print uploaded as is.
• Safetysign.com is not responsible for uploaded image quality.
• Make sure your image resolution is high enough for printing.
• If you have a vector based version of the image, please email it to us.
• Vector images have a much higher quality when printing; most common vector formats are .AI, .CDR, .EPS, .PS.

Problems Uploading:

• Trouble uploading your file? Call us at 800-274-6271
• Or email file to us at sales@safetysign.com

4. After you agree to the terms, browse for your image store in your computer, once you find it click the "Open" button and the wait a few seconds for image to appear on Custom Tool, the larger the image the more time it will take to load.

5. All custom images will be put in a category called "Uploaded Images" under the Safety Symbol Categories drop down menu.

6. Please note, you may upload as many images as you'd like, but these images will not be saved at all.

7. If you design a sign and order that sign with your uploaded image, this image will be saved in our system, but any other custom image not used on any order will not be saved.

8. Custom Uploaded Images can only be resized or rotated, but colors cannot be changed.

9. Use toolbar to send image to the back or bring to front when you want to play with image and text position.

10. To delete custom images click on the red x buttons that appear when image is selected or the red x button on toolbar under sign image.

1. When you have finished designing you custom sign, click either the "Preview" button or the "View Size and Materials" to view options or to add to cart your custom sign.

2. Make sure spelling, text size and colors are correct.

3. On the next page, besides selecting size and material you are require to Approve design or allow Safetysign.com to Adjust for best appearance.

ANSI Z535 2007 Revision: Conformance with ISO 3864-1 & 2 Standards

One of the major changes taking place in this standard is the approval or acceptance by ANSI of all the ISO 3864-2 formatted safety signs as a valid option for product safety labels in the US.

3.1.1 ISO-formatted safety signs: Product safety information may be conveyed by ISO formatted safety labels in compliance with ISO 3864-2,Graphical Symbols - Safety colors and safety signs - Part 2: Design principles for product safety labels. from ANSI Z535 2007

Product Safety Labels using the signal words shown on the Illustration 1.1 below, can only be used on equipment sold in the USA and Canada, because they lack several components to comply with the international standards for equipment labeling (ISO 3864).

Illustration 1.1 ANSI Z535.4 2002 & 2007 Compliant Safety Labels

Product Safety Labels using the signal words and surround shape safety symbols shown below on the Illustration 1.2 are in compliance with ISO 3864-2 Standard (as long as the safety symbol is contained in a surround shape like a yellow triangle, prohibition circle, or blue circle; and the safety alert symbol seen on the signal word is within a yellow triangle.

Illustration 1.2 ANSI Z535.4 2007 & ISO 3864-2 Compliant Safety Labels

Safety Label: Recommended Label Placement on Equipment

It is well recognized that in many instances, well designed and properly placed safety labels can increase operator and maintenance personnel awareness of the inherent hazards involved when working with machinery.

When installing labels on equipment we recommend to keep in mind the following criteria:
• Label needs to be readily visible to the target audience (personnel that may be in contact with the hazard)
• Label needs to alert the viewer to the hazard in time to take appropriate action.
• Labels are required to be applied on or adjacent to the area where the hazard is present.
• Labels are required to be permanently affixed to the equipment.
• Insure that the surface to which the label(s) will be applied on is clean and free of dirt, dust, grease and moisture. If the surface is painted, insure that the paint is dry.
• Press the label on after applying it to the surface. One or more passes over with a rag or roller will ensure that the label is completely glued on the surface and will not fall off.

Safety Label: Letter Size Legibility

Determining the safe viewing distance of a label depends upon many factors, including
• Lighting, background, letter type and visual acuity.
Other factors to consider in determining label size, include:
• The complexity of the message, the reaction time necessary, and the angle the label will be seen from. In many situations it is better to use multiple labels that are strategically positioned instead of one large one.

Many times letter size may need to be larger than the values shown on the graphic for a variety of reasons:
1. To make the label more noticeable from other information displayed in the area.
2. To enable legibility under low light, or other poor viewing conditions.
3. To alert persons sooner than the minimum safe viewing distance.
4. To convey special importance for portions of the message.
5. To improve legibility for persons who have vision problems with small text.

Example of text message letter heights and *minimum safe viewing distances.
* Minimum safe viewing distance refers to the closest distance a person can be to the label and still have time to follow the safety label's message to avoid the hazard.

Minimum Safe Viewing Distance	Minimum Letter height for Favorable reading conditions		Recommended Letter height for Favorable reading conditions
1 ft or less*	0.8"	8 points	0.08"	8 points
2 ft	0.10"	10 points	0.16"	16 points
3 ft	0.12"	12 points	0.19"	19 points
4 ft	0.14"	14 points	0.22"	22 points
5 ft	0.16"	16 points	0.25"	25 points
6 ft	0.18"	18 points	0.28"	28 points
7 ft	0.20"	20 points	0.31"	31 points
8 ft	0.22"	22 points	0.34"	34 points

*0.08" type is the suggested minimum type size for use on product safety labels, except for small products, 0.06" type may be used

Symbol Classification: Information Symbols

Information Symbols: This type of safety symbol is generally used on ANSI Z535.2 Environmental Safety or Fire Safety Signs, to convey equipment location, permitted actions and fire equipment location.

Fire Related Safety Symbols:

Emergency Equipment Safety Symbols:

Symbol Classification: Mandatory Symbols

Mandatory Action Symbols: This type of safety symbol conveys actions that should be taken to avoid hazards. If a surround shape is desired, the symbol consist of a white image within a solid blue or black circular surround shape. The blue surround shape is required on ISO compliant product safety labels that contain mandatory action symbols. The image below shows some examples from our Safety Symbol Database.

Symbol Classification: Prohibition Symbols

Prohibition Symbols: This type of safety symbol conveys actions that should not be taken. This symbol consists of a red circular band with a 45° diagonal red band from upper left to lower right. The symbol contains a black image within the red band on a white background. Prohibition symbols are mandatory for use on ISO compliant product safety labels. The image below shows some examples from our Safety Symbol Database.

Symbol Classification: Hazard Alert Symbols

Hazard Alerting: This type of safety symbol conveys information primarily related to the nature of hazards. Like, hazard description, how to avoid the hazard and sometimes the consequences of not avoiding the hazard.

If a surround shape is desired, the hazard alerting symbol should be drawn within a yellow equilateral triangle. The yellow equilateral triangle is required on safety alert symbols used on ISO compliant product safety labels. The image below shows some examples from our Safety Symbol Database.

Use of Safety Symbols

ANSI Z535.4 2002 encourages the use of safety symbols that communicate a comparable message to the worded message on the sign or label. The safety symbol when selected properly, should identify:
• The hazard,
• Identify a means of avoiding the hazard,
• Or identify the consequences of not avoiding the hazard. The safety symbol should clarify or reinforce the worded message on the label.

There are four types of safety symbols used on ANSI Z535.4 2002 compliant product safety labels. When using safety symbols to comply with ANSI, the symbol can be black on a white background, other colors may be used, like safety red for fire related symbols, and so on.

To comply with both ANSI Z535.4 and ISO 3864, then the following applies, ISO 3864 2002 standards required that all of the safety symbols used on international product safety labels be within a surround shape, yellow equilateral triangle with black inner border for hazard alerting symbols, blue circle for mandatory actions, and red circle with 45° degree slash for prohibition symbols. ANSI Z535.4 2002 does not required the use of a yellow equilateral triangle or the mandatory surround shape but, it does recognize it and permits their use.

Safety Label Format

Message Panel: the message panel of any new ANSI Z535.4 2007 compliant sign or label must contain,
• Identification of the hazard,
• Identification of a means to avoid the hazard,
• And the consequences of not avoiding the hazard. The order that the information appears in the message panel is flexible and should be determined by logical factors related to avoiding an injury, such as:
• The target audiences knowledge of the hazard,
• And the reaction time to avoid the hazard. In addition, we recommend when formatting the message panel to consider the following practices:
- Use headline style text
- Use active voice statements
- Avoid prepositional phrases

  Use left justification of the text except on one line messages- Use upper and lower case letters

Click on this link on view & Print Safety Labels: Brimar's Standard Label Sizes