A safety sign has one job: to make someone stop, notice and act before they get hurt. That only works when the sign uses the right word, the right colors and the right place, and when it is still readable years later. Getting it wrong can also cost you in an OSHA inspection.
Gogi Signs makes custom safety signs for workplaces, buildings and job sites across New Jersey and New York City. This guide covers the OSHA and ANSI rules, the signal words, materials, placement and the New Jersey and NYC sign rules.
In this guide
Choose the Right Signal Word
Two sets of rules shape safety signs. OSHA’s rules are law: 29 CFR 1910.145 for general industry and 29 CFR 1926.200 for construction. ANSI Z535 is the industry standard for the design of safety signs. In 2013, OSHA updated its rules so employers can follow either the newer ANSI Z535 standards from 2011 or the older ANSI standards, effective September 11, 2013, according to the Federal Register notice. The current ANSI edition for facility signs is Z535.2 2023, according to ANSI.
Start With the Standards
- DANGER. A hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
- WARNING. A hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
- CAUTION. A hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
- NOTICE. Usually for messages about property damage, not personal injury.
Use the strongest word only where it fits. OSHA’s construction rule says danger signs shall be used only where an immediate hazard exists. Overusing DANGER teaches people to ignore it.
Use the OSHA Colors
- Danger. Red, black and white, with no variation in design for specific dangers, under 1910.145.
- Caution. A yellow background with a black panel and yellow letters, for potential hazards or unsafe practices.
- Safety instruction. A white background with a green panel and white letters, for general instructions.
- Construction exit signs. Red letters at least 6 inches high on a white field, under 1926.200.
Contrast is what makes these colors work. Pixel Wraps, our sister graphics shop, explains how color and contrast affect visibility in how color, contrast and message placement affect visibility.
Use Symbols People Recognize
A symbol is understood faster than words and works for people who do not read English well. Use standard ANSI or ISO symbols rather than custom drawings, and pair each symbol with a short message. Keep the symbol large enough to read from where the hazard starts.
Write a Message That Can Be Read in Seconds
- Say the hazard. Hot surface, moving parts, high voltage.
- Say the result. Can cause burns, can crush hands.
- Say what to do. Wear gloves, keep hands clear, authorized personnel only.
- Keep it short. A few words per line in a plain, bold font.
OSHA’s rule for accident prevention tags requires the signal word to be readable from at least five feet, under 1910.145. Signs should be readable from farther away than that.
For 2026, OSHA’s maximum penalty is $16,550 per serious violation and $165,514 per willful or repeat violation, with failure to abate up to $16,550 a day, according to OSHA’s 2026 penalty memo. OSHA kept the 2025 maximums for 2026. A missing or wrong sign is rarely the whole story in an inspection, but it is an easy problem to fix ahead of time.
No Smoking Signs in New Jersey and NYC
New Jersey’s Smoke Free Air Act requires a sign at every public entrance to an indoor public place or workplace, stating that smoking is prohibited and that violators are subject to a fine, with letters or a symbol that contrast with the sign, under statute 26:3D 61. In New York City, the required sign must cover smoking, electronic cigarette use and smokeless use, and printed versions must be in color, on durable material and at least 8 1/4 by 10 1/2 inches, according to the Health Department.
Pick Materials for the Location
- Indoors. Rigid plastic or aluminum, or durable vinyl on a smooth wall.
- Outdoors. Aluminum with UV resistant print or vinyl.
- Roads and parking lots. Reflective sheeting. 3M rates its Diamond Grade DG3 sheeting as ASTM type XI and says it reflects almost twice the light of its high intensity prismatic sheeting, on its comparison page.
- Chemicals and heat. Materials rated for the exposure.
Chemical Hazard Placards
Buildings that store hazardous materials often use the NFPA 704 diamond, which tells firefighters about health, fire and instability hazards. It rates each hazard from 0 to 4, with 4 the most severe, which is the reverse of the HazCom numbering on labels, according to an NFPA quick card. Do not mix the two systems.
Place Signs Where People Will See Them
- Before the hazard. Far enough ahead that people can act.
- At eye level where possible, and clear of doors that swing over them.
- Well lit, or reflective where lighting is poor.
- Not cluttered. Too many signs in one spot dilute each one.
Construction Site Signs
On job sites, OSHA requires traffic control signs to follow Part 6 of the federal MUTCD, under 1926.200. Sidewalk closures, hard hat areas and authorized personnel signs are the most common custom orders. See our site safety signs and job site signs. For NYC buildings, our sister company covers required building signs in its HPD building signs guide.
Photoluminescent Exit and Path Signs
Glow in the dark signs work without power, which makes them useful in stairs and corridors. They do need light to charge. One UL 924 listed photoluminescent exit sign, for example, requires at least 5 foot candles of light on the sign whenever the building is occupied, according to its maker’s spec sheet. Check the listing and the lighting before you choose them.
A Quick Safety Sign Checklist
- List the hazards in each area.
- Pick the signal word that matches each hazard.
- Use the OSHA colors or the ANSI Z535 format, and stay consistent.
- Add a standard symbol and a short message.
- Choose the material for the location.
- Place each sign before the hazard, at eye level and in good light.
- Review the signs on a schedule and after any change.
Keep Them Current
Faded, damaged or outdated signs do not protect anyone. Walk the site regularly, replace signs that are hard to read, and update signs when hazards or procedures change. Remove signs for hazards that no longer exist so the rest keep their meaning.
Common Questions About Custom Safety Signs
What is the difference between danger, warning and caution?
Danger means a hazard that will cause death or serious injury if not avoided. Warning means it could cause death or serious injury. Caution means it could cause minor or moderate injury.
What colors do OSHA safety signs use?
Danger signs use red, black and white. Caution signs use a yellow background with a black panel. Safety instruction signs use white with a green panel.
Can I use ANSI Z535 signs for OSHA?
Yes. Since 2013, OSHA allows employers to use the updated ANSI Z535 standards or the older ANSI standards.
What are the OSHA fines in 2026?
Up to $16,550 per serious violation and up to $165,514 per willful or repeat violation, the same maximums as 2025.
What no smoking sign is required in New Jersey?
A sign at every public entrance to an indoor public place or workplace stating that smoking is prohibited and that violators are subject to a fine.
What material is best for outdoor safety signs?
Aluminum with UV resistant graphics for most signs, and reflective sheeting for signs read by drivers at night.
Custom Safety Signs Built to Standard
We design and build safety signs to OSHA and ANSI rules. See our site safety signs, then request a free quote.
