During the whole of the Second World War, a significant amount of effort was put into ensuring that vital pieces of equipment were appropriately labelled and color-coded in accordance with the level that were in position at the time. In order to lessen the likelihood of “friendly fire” occurring during high-pressure military operations, aircraft were given identifying markings, such as distinct colors or stripes, so that they could be quickly recognized. This was simply the beginning of the need to adhere to standards!
Birth of Color Coding System
As is common knowledge, the safety of workers on the job is of the utmost significance in any industry, and colors are an essential medium for conveying danger to employees. As a consequence of this, standardized color codes have been developed in order to assist in the prevention of accidents by conveying precise information to all staff.
Role of OSHA and ASNI
When referring to the conventional usage of colors in the workplace for the sake of safety, the phrase “safety colors” is often used. Several organizations, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), have come up with standards for safety colors. Individuals are able to quickly understand what type of safety concern is present even when they are
too far away to comprehend any actual lettering because each color can have a different meaning depending on the circumstances. This is made possible by the fact that each color has a different meaning.
Different Organization Different Color-Coding System
Despite the fact that many different organizations and agencies assign diverse meanings to safety colors, many of these meanings are quite similar. This is done on purpose with the intention of ensuring that standards are relevant in the broadest possible range of situations.
Meaning of Common Color Codes
The following is a list of typical standard colors that are used by a variety of organizations to represent the amount of danger present in an area that is restricted from access. You should have no trouble finding barrier tape, subterranean caution tape, or any other kind of warning label in the following colors safeguarding places above the ground such as crime scenes or below the earth such as the network of petroleum pipelines.
Red Warning Tape
The fundamental color for indicating is red, which is used here. This is a hue that is often seen in settings that provide a significant threat of bodily harm or perhaps death. It is used for the purpose of identifying fire suppression and protection apparatus. The person who is coming up behind you should immediately come to a halt and not transgress any farther near the territory that is delineated with this color since it serves as an alert.
Orange Warning Tape
Orange: signs of this hue are used to name locations that contain an element that may imply moderate to severe damage to the trespasser. Signs of this color are also used to label locations that include an element that can imply death. This hue is designated to be used only for the Guarding devices.
Yellow Warning Tape
The usage of this hue, yellow, is intended to convey certain messages. This hue designates areas or components that pose a moderate threat of bodily harm to individuals. When there is a non-immediate or possible danger or hazardous practice that poses a smaller risk of employee harm, this color is used for Warning tapes and other warning labels. These types of labels are utilized in instances when there is a lesser chance that an employee may be injured. This hue is assigned to the machinery used for the processing of materials.
Green Warning Tape
Green is the color most generally associated with areas that can guarantee a person’s safety since it is the fundamental color for conveying information regarding safety equipment. For this reason, green is frequently assigned to locations that can protect a human. This hue is used to designate things like signs and equipment, for instance.
Blue Warning Tape
Blue is the hue that is used to designate restricted areas that do not pose an immediate threat but do not allow trespassing by anybody who is not specifically permitted or approved by a designated group of people. This hue of barrier tape or barricade is used to indicate equipment that should not be utilized and is used to denote restricted areas.