• Use signs and/or tags as a visual means of warning individuals, Members of the Workforce and visitors, of the presence of a hazard, the potential for a hazard, or to convey safety instructions necessary to avoid injury. Note: Contact the appropriate division ES&H team for assistance in identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards.
• Ensure that signs and tags are conspicuously posted and maintained where hazards are present.
• Ensure that space ownership designations are changed to reflect the new owner when their space is transferred to another line organization or reverts to Facilities ownership (see the space management contact).
• Change signs to accurately reflect the physical or health hazards inherent to the space.
• Do not use signs, tags, or other warning devices as the sole method for mitigating a hazard.
• Ensure that color specifications for these signs meet the requirements in ANSI Z535.1, Safety Color Code, Table 1.

Note: The purpose of these devices is to provide a visual means of informing the observer of the hazard, the degree of hazard and the appropriate actions to be taken to avoid injury. This process uses a hazard alert system consisting of three different signal words, specific color coding designations and signal word configurations.

Use danger signs, as shown in Table 1, Danger, Warning, and Caution Signs, only where an immediate hazard exists which could result in death or serious injury. Notes:

• Use of the danger sign is to be limited to the most extreme situations.
• Danger signs are not appropriate for property damage hazards unless personal injury risk appropriate to this level is also involved.

Danger signs have red as the predominating color for the upper panel, black outline for the border, the signal word “DANGER” depicted in white, and a white lower panel for additional sign wording.

Black or red lettering must be used for additional wording to specify the hazard and to denote what special precautions are necessary.

Warning signs have orange as the predominating color for the upper panel, black outline for the border, the signal word “WARNING” depicted in black, and an orange lower panel for additional sign wording.

Black lettering must be used for additional wording to specify the hazard and to denote what special precautions are necessary. Alternately, the signal word “WARNING” depicted in black may appear on the upper portion of an orange field.

Caution signs have yellow as the predominating color, black upper panel with the signal word “CAUTION” depicted in yellow and the lower yellow panel for additional sign wording.

Black lettering must be used for additional wording to specify the hazard and to denote what special precautions are necessary or personal protective equipment is required.

Ensure that:

• Exits are marked by a readily visible sign.
• Exit signs are distinctive in color, suitably illuminated, and contrast with decorations, interior finishes or other signs.
• Exit signs have legible red letters on a white field, with the lettering not less than 6 inches high, and the principal stroke at least 3/4 inch in width.

Note: Contact the appropriate division ES&H team for assistance in determining requirements for posting exit signs.

• Use safety instruction signs where there is a need to indicate general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measures.
• Ensure safety instruction signs are white with a green upper panel having white letters to convey the principal message.
• Use black lettering for additional wording, i.e. directions, on the white panel.

• Use notice signs to indicate information or a company policy that relates directly or indirectly to the safety of personnel or protection of property.
• Ensure these signs have the signal word “NOTICE” in white letters on a blue background on a rectangular field, and this distinctive panel must be located in the uppermost portion of the visual alerting device. No other signal word or symbol may be used within this distinctive shape and color arrangement.

• Post the NFPA hazardous materials classification symbol, NFPA 704, as appropriate. Note: Contact the appropriate division ES&H team for assistance in determining requirements for posting the NFPA 704.
• Do not post the 704 as part of the SWHAS or ISMS hazard notice, but as a separate posting, such as the UNO fire division symbol for explosive.
• Post the CA sign, a 10” x 14” sign with an NFPA diamond 5”x 5” with 11/2” (H) numbers. Notes: 
  • The purpose is to allow the responder to safety identify the hazards at a point of 50 ft or 33 meters. 
  • The NFPA 704 system is used to safeguard the lives of those individuals who respond to emergencies in areas where the hazard of the materials are not readily apparent. Additionally, it provides a mechanism of alerting individuals, including visitors, of those chemical hazards within the space.

• When working with hazards, post the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Hazardous Materials Classification symbol, which is part of the SWHAS sign. Notes: 
  • The NFPA Hazardous Materials Classification symbol link above and throughout this document will direct users to the Sandia Tech Library. To view the NFPA 704 standard, users must click the “Specs and Standards” link, and on the following page type NFPA 704 in the “Doc. No:” box and click “Search.” 
  • Posting of the SWHAS sign provides a hazard awareness method for both Members of the Workforce and emergency response teams.
• Place SWHAS signs so that they are always in full view by anyone entering affected areas. If a door is routinely left open, a wall mount should be used.
• Do not cover SWHAS signs or block them from view.
• Do not use SWHAS signs instead of signs that are required by other ES&H programs and procedures, e.g., lasers, explosives, and ionizing radiation.

• Place a SWHAS sign in laboratory, research, or production areas where potential physical and health hazards may exist. Note: Examples of areas that under normal conditions do not need SWHAS signs are: computer labs (except for those with large battery systems), custodian closets, offices, administrative and clerical work areas, libraries, rest rooms, conference rooms, auditoriums, and lunchrooms.
• Meet the minimum NFPA requirements of SWHAS, including:
  • Posting and maintaining the sign, including leaving of signs when the space is no longer owned and changing the symbols to reflect changes in hazards.
  • Applying a completed National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 Hazardous Materials Classification symbol for the space in the upper left-hand corner of the SWHAS sign.
  • Maintaining current space owner and alternate information.
  • Ensuring that the optional hazard signs placed on the SWHAS sign reflect the hazards in the area. Note: SWHAS signs contain six areas and have the National Fire Protection Association 704 Hazardous Materials Classification symbol in the upper left-hand corner.
  • Verify that the National Fire Protection Association 704 Hazardous Materials Classification symbol is completed by providing the numerical rating in each of three colored areas and, as required, special hazards information in the white area.

• Post an ISMS Hazard Notice sign to effectively communicate the physical and health hazards that are present within a lab or work space, or are associated with a process or activity.
• Place the ISMS Hazard Notice sign in a conspicuous location, (e.g. entrance to work area). Note: Examples of areas that under normal conditions do not need an ISMS HAZARD NOTICE sign are: computer labs (except for those with large battery systems), offices, administrative and clerical work areas, libraries, rest rooms, conference rooms, auditoriums, and lunchrooms.
• Place ISMS Hazard Notice signs so that they are always in full view by anyone entering the affected area. If a door is routinely left open, a wall mount adjacent to the door should be used.
• Indicate both the physical and health hazards and the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or special precautions require for entry.

• Do not cover ISMS Hazard Notice signs or block them from view.
• Do not use ISMS Hazard Notice signs in place of signs that are required by other ES&H programs, e.g., lasers, explosives, or ionizing radiation.
• Do not use the ISMS Hazard Notice signs in place of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 Hazardous Materials Classification symbol.
• Do not make hand written changes to the ISMS Hazard Notice signs, but communicate to your ES&H coordinator any and all changes necessary and request a new ISMS Hazard Notice sign be generated for subsequent posting.

• Specify the physical or health hazards present by filling in the box next to the applicable hazard with the ISMS Star based on the criteria listed below (see the ISMS Hazard Notice sign): HAZARDS PRESENT (TOP SECTION):
  • Designated Area – Fill in this box if the work area is governed by the OSHA Lab Standard and chemicals used in the area are listed as “particularly hazardous substances.” To determine if the chemicals used in your work are considered “particularly hazardous substances,” conduct a query of your chemical inventory (see the Chemical Information System website and request the SNL/CA Particularly Hazardous Substances list for your specific work area or chemical storage location).
  • Reactive Chemicals – Fill in this box to indicate that acids, bases, oxidizers, peroxide forming compounds, etc. are present in significant quantities, i.e., 5 gallons in total, or that unusual usage situations exist.
  • Flammables – Fill in this box to indicate the presence of a combined volume of at least 1-gallon of flammable liquids.
  • High Noise – Fill in this box to indicate the presence of a high noise source, > 85dBA, either on a continuous or irregular basis. Designate the requirement for the use of hearing protection below in the Personal Protective Equipment and Precautions section.
  • High Pressure – Fill in this box to indicate the presence of high pressure systems exceeding 3000 psi for gasses or exceeding 5000 psi for liquids.
  • Electrical sources – Fill in this box to indicate a potential for exposure to high voltage sources, capacitors, battery banks, etc. greater than 600 volts.
  • Other: List – Fill in this box AND specify the specific hazard to indicate the presence of the specific hazard. Examples are as follows:
    • Biohazards – infectious agents, human fluids or specimens.
    • Moving Machinery – equipment having the potential for exposed moving parts.
    • Radio frequency – (RF) fields that warrant special precautions. Contact the appropriate division ES&H team for assistance in determining the need for posting for RF fields.
    • Magnetic fields – (> 5 Gauss) fields which warrant special precautions.
    • Welding Arcs
    • Ultraviolet light which may warrant protection of the eyes or skin.
    • Thermal hazards, e.g. hot surfaces, or cryogenics.
    • Other hazards which may warrant special precautions or PPE.
    • Specify the need for precautions or PPE by filling in the box next to the applicable control with the ISMS Star based on the criteria listed below.
    • Safety Glasses Required - Fill in this box to indicate the mandatory use of eye protection for entry into the area.
    • Hearing Protection Required – Fill in this box to indicate the mandatory use of Hearing Protection. You must indicate with an ‘o’ if the use is 'required for entry' (e.g., mechanical rooms) or required 'when equipment is in use' (e.g., machine shops.)
    • No Eating or Drinking – Fill in this box to indicate that consumption or storage of food and drink is prohibited in this area. GN470094, Chemical Handling at SNL/CA, prohibits eating, drinking, chewing gum, smoking, or application of cosmetics in chemical work or storage areas. Office areas and control rooms within a chemical handling area may be posted to allow the consumption of food and beverage if the area is distinctively separated from chemical handling area.
    • Other – Fill in this box AND specify any additional PPE or precautions required for entry such as pacemakers and medical implant alert and hardhats.
• Specify the applicable OSHA Standard by marking the appropriate box. Maintenance, construction, and custodial areas, hazardous waste facilities, environmental restoration sites, and Security's SPO activities are governed by the Hazards Communication Standard. All other research and support activities that involve the use of chemicals are governed by the Lab Standard.
• Specify the space owner and an alternate.

• Use accident prevention tags (see Figure 1, Accident Prevention Tags) only as a temporary means of warning individuals, Members of the Workforce and visitors of an existing temporary hazard, such as defective tools or equipment.
• Do not use accident prevention tags in place of, or as a substitute for, designated accident prevention signs.
• Ensure accident prevention tags:
  • Contain a signal word and major message.
  • Use the signal word "DANGER", "CAUTION", or "BIOHAZARD" or the phrase "DO NOT OPERATE," "OUT OF ORDER - DO NOT USE," or the biological hazard symbol.
  • Contain a major message indicating the specific hazardous condition or instructions to be communicated to the employee.
  • Are readable at a minimum distance of five feet or such greater distance as warranted by the hazard.
  • Present the major message in pictograph and/or written form.
  • Are affixed as close as safely possible to the respective hazard by a positive means which prevents their loss.