Before ANSI safety labels, Equipment Safety Decals all looked the same
Prior to ANSI standard Z245.30-2008, all OSHA decals or container safety labels looked the same. Outside of color and wording nothing was different between a notice sticker and a danger sticker. Those are two totally different ‘warning statements’! The first discussing property damage or even keep lids closed to “Hey! If you don’t follow instruction, this equipment could kill you!” No difference. This is where ANSI safety labels have changed dumpster decals and equipment safety for the better. In fact ANSI safety labels call for your attention and make you take notice. Is there anything wrong with the old style. No, this style is still practical for many warnings.
OSHA
For years, safety labels have looked the same… larger bold declaration at the top and text to fit at the bottom explaining the Caution or Hazard statement. Sure for years, English has been the predominant language in the United States.
Bob Dylan said it best, “The Times They Are-A Changin’”.
Just listen anywhere you go, is English the only language you hear? Probably not. Regardless of language, many children and some adults can not read. Should a person not be made aware of potential safety hazards simply because they can not read the Caution / Warning / Danger sign?
Enter ANSI decals from Kewanna Screen Printing
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI for short) is a private non-profit organization that works to develop consensus standards across many sectors of the US marketplace and strengthen its position in the global economy. Voluntary conformity of the standardization makes US businesses more competitive while assuring the safety and health of consumers and protection of the environment. (source – ANSI website: About ANSI)
That being said there are two industries KSP serves that use ANSI labels; the Waste & Recycling industry and the Manufacturing industry. For this particular post, we will deal with the needs of Waste Haulers. Let’s look at those headings CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER.
CAUTION means if the precaution is not taken, it may cause minor or moderate damage. CAUTION stickers are depicted by a yellow heading and black text.
WARNING means if the warning is not heeded, it can cause serious injury or death. WARNING labels are depicted by an orange heading and black type.
DANGER means if the danger is not avoided, it will cause
death or severe injury. DANGER decals use a Red heading with white wording.
Note the difference between WARNING and DANGER. In the Warning heading serious injury or death could result, while the Danger heading proclaims serious injury or death will occur if precaution is not taken.
So how are ANSI decals for my dumpster different? How do they overcome the language barrier?
First, ANSI equipment safety decals have bold headings that declare either CAUTION, WARNING, or DANGER and have a bright colored background so it is easily seen. The message section of the label is broke into a left and right. On the left side, there is a picture of the hazard being declared along with another statement of declaration to explain the hazard. Remember pictures are worth a thousand words, so the picture clears up any misunderstandings caused by not being able to read or understand the message. The right side simply states the instructions to avoid results of such action.
Are ANSI decals new? Why isn’t everybody using them?
Well, ANSI safety labels are kind of new. Meaning less than 10 years old (at time of original writing, however since not everybody is not doing it, they are still new). The standard for labeling waste containers is dated 2008. Because conformity is strictly voluntary, there is no law stating you have to use these. OSHA labels (think black on yellow vinyl caution stickers) have been around since 1970. Most trash companies, simply do not realize that there is a new standard. Busy keeping their customers satisfied, unless somebody tells them of the benefits, many just keep on using the same dumpster decals they have always used. Besides the ANSI standard does nothing for a notice sticker which deals primarily with policy, local ordinances or property damage. Therefore this OSHA standard is still viable.
Why should I use ANSI decals on my containers?
They simply keep the public safer. As stated above, pictures are the universal language. The simple drawing of the hazard makes communication of the dangers more easily understood despite language or literacy barriers. The three color (heading, text, and background) help the label stand out from the container and be seen.
Where can I learn more about the ANSI standards for Waste Containers?
You can learn more by reading this article.
To see a short video about the correct placement of ANSI labels and purchase your own KSP ANSI container decals, click here.
For more articles to aid in your purchasing decision, please check our other blog posts.
