The Beginner's Guide to Safety Colors and What They Mean

It's not uncommon for objects, signs and labels to feature a safety color. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recognizes a variety of different safety colors. Each safety color, of course, has a different meaning. What are the ANSI's safety colors exactly, and what do they mean?

Red

Red is a safety color that indicates dangers. The ANSI states that red should be used to indicate a potential hazard in the workplace. Whether it's an exposed cutting blade or a toxic chemical, workplaces may feature red signs to warn workers of potential hazards such as these.

Green

Green, on the other hand, is a safety color that indicates an emergency exit or egress. Fire exits, for instance, may feature green signs. In the event of a fire, workers can follow the green signs to exit the building.

Orange

Based on the ANSI's specifications, orange is a safety color that indicates a machine- or equipment-related hazard. Thousands of workers are injured each year in the United States while using a machine or piece of equipment. Rather than allowing machine- or equipment-related hazards to go unchecked, employers can label them with orange signs. Orange is used to indicate a specific machine- or equipment-related hazard so that workers can avoid it.

Yellow

Yellow is a safety color that indicates caution. In other words, workers should use caution upon seeing a yellow sign or label. Yellow signs are commonly used to warn workers about slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents. If there's a spilled liquid on the floor, employers can use a yellow sign so that workers can avoid walking over it. Regardless, yellow indicates caution based on the ANSI's safety color specifications.

Blue

You may notice that some signs and labels in the workplace are blue. Blue is a safety color that indicates directions. It doesn't indicate dangers, hazards or caution. Instead, blue indicates directions. Employers can use blue signs and labels to instruct workers where to go. Keep in mind, however, that blue shouldn't be used for fire exit routes. Fire exit routes should feature green signs or labels. Other, non-emergency signs and labels can feature blue.

Purple

Purple is a safety color that indicates a radiation hazard. Radiation is common in some workplaces, such as hospitals and medical facilities. If there's a radiation hazard, employers can use purple signs or labels.