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Safety professionals would agree that most, if not all, industrial and construction operations involve a level of risk. This is true even in the most ideal situations with proper engineering and administrative controls, personal protective equipment, and training programs in place.
Here is where safety signs, labels, tags and other markings play a pivotal role - as the last defensive measure an employer can take to protect employees. The challenge is knowing when and where markings are necessary. OSHA sets marking requirements throughout 29 CFR 1910 and 1926, and the agency can and will cite employers for marking violations (see "Top 10" table, p. 56).
These regulations spell out what markings are required, often providing the exact text, colors and symbols. However, general marking regulations are found at:
* CFR 1910.144, Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards;
* CFR 1910.145, Specifications for Accident Prevention Signs and Tags; and
* 29 CFR 1926.200 to .203, Signs, Signals, and Barricades.
"Catch all"
OSHA also has a "catch all" requirement for posting signs near a wide variety of hazards not specifically mentioned in the regulations. When failing to mark hazards may cause injury or property damage, §1910.145 calls for the use of signs or symbols. Employers will quickly discover that it is up to them to decide what marking is necessary for many hazards.
Several agencies other than OSHA also require markings, including the Environmental Protection Agency,...