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ANSI Z535.3-2011
Revision of
ANSI Z535.3-2007

American National Standard

Criteria for Safety Symbols

Secretariat:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Approved July 19, 2011

Published September 15, 2011

American National Standards Institute, Inc.

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ANSI Z535.3-2011

DISCLAIMER
The information in this publication was considered technically sound by the consensus of persons
engaged in the development and approval of the document at the time it was developed. Consensus
does not necessarily mean that there is unanimous agreement among every person participating in the
development of this document.

ANSI standards and guideline publications, of which the document contained herein is one, are
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ANSI Z535.3-2011

Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by

AMERICAN ANSI that the requirements for due process, consensus, and other
NATIONAL criteria for approval have been met by the standards developer.

STANDARD Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of

Standards Review, substantial agreement has been reached by directly
and materially affected interests. Substantial agreement means much
more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity. Consensus
requires that all views and objections be considered, and that a
concerted effort be made toward their resolution.

The use of American National Standards is completely voluntary; their

existence does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether he has
approved the standards or not, from manufacturing, marketing,
purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures not conforming
to the standards.

The American National Standards Institute does not develop standards

and will in no circumstances give an interpretation of any American
National Standard. Moreover, no person shall have the right or authority
to issue an interpretation of an American National Standard in the name
of the American National Standards Institute. Requests for
interpretations should be addressed to the secretariat or sponsor whose
name appears on the title page of this standard.

This American National Standard may be revised or withdrawn at any

time. The procedures of the American National Standards Institute
require that action be taken periodically to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw
this standard. Purchasers of American National Standards may receive
current information on all standards by calling or writing the American
National Standards Institute.

Published by

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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 Copyright 2011 by National Electrical Manufacturers Association

All rights reserved including translation into other languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright
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No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America.

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ANSI Z535.3-2011

Contents

Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... v 
1  Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 
2  Scope and purpose .......................................................................................................................... 1 
2.1  Scope .................................................................................................................................. 1 
2.2  Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 1 
3  Application ........................................................................................................................................ 1 
3.1  Intent ................................................................................................................................... 1 
3.2  Existing American National Standards................................................................................ 1 
4  Definitions ........................................................................................................................................ 1 
5  Safety symbol types, surround shapes, and colors ......................................................................... 3 
5.1  General ............................................................................................................................... 3 
5.2  Hazard Alerting ................................................................................................................... 3 
5.3  Mandatory Action ................................................................................................................ 3 
5.4  Prohibition ........................................................................................................................... 3 
5.5  Information .......................................................................................................................... 3 
6  Graphic design considerations......................................................................................................... 3 
6.1  Procedure for the design of new safety symbols ................................................................ 3 
6.2  Safety symbol size .............................................................................................................. 4 
6.3  Safety symbol placement .................................................................................................... 4 
6.4  Safety symbol environment................................................................................................. 4 
7  Safety symbol selection criteria ....................................................................................................... 4 
7.1  With demonstrated understandability.................................................................................. 4 
7.2  Without demonstrated understandability ............................................................................ 4 
7.2.1  Safety symbol training/recognition procedure........................................................ 4 
8  Normative references ....................................................................................................................... 4 
8.1  General ............................................................................................................................... 4 
8.2  American National Standards ............................................................................................. 4 

Figures

1 The Safety Alert Symbol .................................................................................................................. 2 

A1 Multi-Panel Safety Sign without Surround Shape and Color on Symbol ......................................... 5 
A2 Safety Alert Symbol.......................................................................................................................... 6 
A3 Prohibition Symbol ........................................................................................................................... 6 
A4 Multi-Panel Safety Sign with Surround Shape and Color on Symbol .............................................. 6 

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ANSI Z535.3-2011

A5 Examples of Hazard Alerting Symbols............................................................................................. 7 

A6 Layout for Hazard Alerting Safety Symbol ....................................................................................... 7 
A7 Examples of Mandatory Action Symbols ......................................................................................... 8 
A8 Layout for Mandatory Action Safety Symbol .................................................................................... 8 
A9 Examples of Prohibition Symbols .................................................................................................... 8 
A10 Layout for Prohibition Safety Symbol ............................................................................................... 9 
A11 Examples of Safe Condition Symbols .............................................................................................. 9 
A12 Layout for Information—Safe Condition Safety Symbol ................................................................ 10 
A13 Examples of Fire Safety Symbols .................................................................................................. 10 
A14 Layout for Information—Fire Safety Symbol .................................................................................. 11 
A15 Consistent Versus Non-Consistent Symbols for Personal Protective Equipment ......................... 11 
A16 Representational Versus Abstract Symbols for Fire Alarm Call Point ........................................... 12 
A17 Hazard Description and Hazard Avoidance Symbols .................................................................... 13 
A18 Dramatic Action Versus Abstract Symbol for Electric Shock ......................................................... 13 
A19 Solid Graphic Form Represents Hazardous Element; Outline Form Puts Hazardous
Element in Context ......................................................................................................................... 14 
A20 Symbols Showing Use of Solid Human Form ................................................................................ 15 
A21 Correct and Conflicting Directions ................................................................................................. 15 
A22 Examples of Determinants ............................................................................................................. 16 
A23 Abstract Symbol with Text ............................................................................................................. 16 
A24 Prohibition Symbol: Correct Use and Incorrect Use ...................................................................... 18 
A25 Arrows as Defined in ISO 11684 and IEC 60418 .......................................................................... 19 
A26 The Human Figure Unit System ..................................................................................................... 20 
A27 Stationary Freestanding Human Figure ......................................................................................... 20 
A28 Animation of the Human Figure ..................................................................................................... 21 
A29 Profile Heads .................................................................................................................................. 21 
A30 Upper Body .................................................................................................................................... 22 
A31 Standardized Hand Positions ......................................................................................................... 22 
A32 Examples of Symbols Using Hand Profiles.................................................................................... 23 
A33 Symbols Showing the Upper Body with Hands ............................................................................. 23 
A34 Foot ................................................................................................................................................ 24 
A35 Feet Added ..................................................................................................................................... 24 
A36 Depicting Hazard with and without Blood ...................................................................................... 24 
B1 Flowchart for Evaluating Candidate Safety Symbols ..................................................................... 32 
B2 Example of Respondent Information Sheet ................................................................................... 33 
B3 Example of Questionnaire for Comprehension Estimation ............................................................ 34 
B4 Sample Symbol Test Administration Instructions and Booklet ...................................................... 35 

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ANSI Z535.3-2011

B5 Sample Pictorial Context ................................................................................................................ 38 

Tables

B1 Comprehension Equivalencies ...................................................................................................... 31 

Annexes

A Principles and Guidelines for Graphical Design of Safety Symbols ................................................ 5 

B General Procedures for Evaluating Candidate Safety Symbols .................................................... 25 
C Informative References .................................................................................................................. 39 

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ANSI Z535.3-2011

Foreword
In 1979, the ANSI Z53 Committee on Safety Colors was combined with the ANSI Z35 Committee on
Safety Signs to form the ANSI Z535 Committee on Safety Signs and Colors. The Z535 Committee has
the following scope:
To develop standards for the design, application, and use of signs, colors, and symbols
intended to identify and warn against specific hazards and for other accident prevention
purposes.
While the basic mission and fundamental purpose of the ANSI Z535 Committee is to develop, refine, and
promote a single, uniform graphic system used for communicating safety and accident prevention
information, the Z535 Committee recognizes that this information can also be effectively communicated
using other graphic systems.
The Z535 Committee created subcommittees to update the ANSI Z53 and Z35 standards, and to write
new standards. To date, the following six standards comprise the ANSI Z535 series:
ANSI Z535.1 Safety Colors [ANSI Z53.1-1979 was updated and combined into this standard in
1991]
ANSI Z535.2 Environmental and Facility Safety Signs [ANSI Z35.1-1972 and Z35.4-1972 were
updated and combined into this standard in 1991]
ANSI Z535.3 Criteria for Safety Symbols [new in 1991]
ANSI Z535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels [new in 1991]
ANSI Z535.5 Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards) [ANSI Z35.2-1974
was updated and combined into this standard in 1991]
ANSI Z535.6 Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral
Materials [new in 2006]
Together, these six standards contain information needed to specify formats, colors, and symbols for
safety signs used in environmental and facility applications, product applications, temporary safety tags
and barricade tapes, and for safety information in literature that accompanies products.
Published separately is the ANSI Z535 Safety Color Chart. This chart gives the user a sample of each of
the safety colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, grey, white and black. It also describes
each color's ink formulation and closest PANTONE® color.
This ANSI Z535.3 standard was prepared by Subcommittee Z535.3 on Criteria for Safety Symbols. Other
Z535 standards have provisions for a safety sign with an optional center symbol panel containing a
graphic depiction of the message in the message panel, using the safety symbol criteria contained in this
standard. The foreword and all annexes in this standard are considered to be "informative" which, in the
vocabulary of standards writing, means that the content presented is for informational purposes only and
is not considered to be mandatory or prescriptive in nature. The body of this standard is “normative”
which means that the content is considered to be mandatory or prescriptive.
The ANSI Z535.3 standard was first published in 1991 and revised in 1998. The 1998 revision refined and
added substance to the structure of the 1991 version (see Deppa et al., 1997; Annex C5, Reference 6).
The forty-one referents in the original ANSI Z535.3 standard were selected because they addressed
some of the most common, general, or critical hazards. The ANSI Subcommittee Z535.3 on Criteria for
Safety Symbols reassessed the symbol examples illustrating these referents, both to ensure that the
symbols had passed comprehension testing, and to improve the depiction of these symbols in the
standard. Further, the ANSI Z535 Committee recognized that this finite set of referents addressed only a
fraction of the hazard referents for which safety symbols are needed. Since the committee's philosophy
was to not alter the scope of referents in the standard, their approach to meeting the need for new
symbols was twofold: 1) provide the guidance necessary to create legible, standardized symbols; and 2)
provide general procedures for comprehension testing symbols. Therefore, the 1998 revision contained
the following changes:

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ANSI Z535.3-2011

 Safety Symbol Example and Depiction Changes

Non-passing symbols were: 1) replaced with passing symbols or deleted; or 2) in the case of
borderline comprehension, moved from the body of the standard to an annex. These changes
resulted from researching the symbol testing results and determining that some symbols had not
passed the required 85% recognition testing. The subcommittee had non-passing and non-tested
symbols comprehension tested, along with other symbol alternatives that address the same
referents, in an attempt to identify symbols that could pass the comprehension testing for those
referents.
Surround shapes were discouraged from use with most symbols, except for prohibition and the
safety alert symbol. Illustrating the symbols in the 1991 version with surround shapes misled
users to think that surround shapes were preferred, when in fact, a surround shape competes
with the actual symbol for the available space. It was clarified that color generally should be used
only for the safety red Prohibition symbol and safety red fire-related symbols. The 1991 version
was probably not clear enough in that it appeared to mandate symbols with background colors.
Test references were added so potential users could access testing details to determine whether
previous testing is analogous to their situation or whether they may need to retest before using a
symbol on their product.
 Addition of Safety Symbol Creation Guidelines
In order to encourage both good symbol design and a degree of consistency between existing
and new symbols, the revision included expanded guidelines for the creation of new symbols for
new referents.
 Test Procedure Changes
Multiple choice tests were discouraged since these tests are typically less accurate than open-
ended testing in measuring the subjects’ comprehension of symbols, primarily because they limit
the range of answers allowed. Testing safety symbols in context was encouraged, since using
words or pictures to convey where a label would be located is a fairer test of a symbol than
testing without giving context. Progressive testing was described and encouraged to screen out
poor symbols early, thereby limiting resource expenditures prior to full open-ended testing.
Information on how to conduct comprehension tests was improved and expanded, including
providing detailed guidance and actual examples of test administration materials.
In revising the ANSI Z535.3-1998 standard, work to retest the symbol examples and to rewrite the testing
procedures was carried out simultaneously. Using this process, the subcommittee received valuable
feedback not only on the symbols being tested, but also on the problems and features of the test
methodologies themselves. Lessons learned from each test iteration were used to improve test
procedures and clarify test instructions. As a result, in addition to thoroughly-tested symbol examples, this
revision provided well-tested procedures for evaluating symbols. The Z535.3 Subcommittee believed that
these improvements to ANSI Z535.3 facilitated the creation of symbols with improved legibility and
consistency that are reliably comprehension tested.
In the 2002 revision, only minor revisions were made. In the 2007 revision, the safety alert symbol was
expanded to harmonize with color alternatives contained in the ISO 3864-2 standard. In Annex A,
Principles and Guidelines for Graphical Design of Safety Symbols, guidance was expanded and more
figures were added to illustrate the principles and guidelines presented. No significant changes were
made to Annex B, General Procedures for Evaluating Candidate Safety Symbols. In Annex C, Safety
Symbol Examples, guidance was also expanded. Safety symbols were moved from the normative body of
this standard to this informative annex, and information symbols were added related to fire safety and
safe condition that are contained in the ISO 7010 standard. A new Annex D, Informative References, was
created which contained references relocated from the body of the standard.
The biggest revision in the 2011 edition was to delete the separate Annex C, Safety Symbol Examples,
and move relevant parts to Annex A. Over the years, since the committee’s philosophy was not to alter
the scope of referents, some of these symbols might be outdated or ISO 7010 might have adopted other
symbols. Instead of "symbol examples" in a separate annex, many of the safety symbols were moved to

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ANSI Z535.3-2011

Annex A to illustrate principles and guidelines for graphical design. Further, graphical design guidelines
duplicated in the body of the standard were deleted so they now are in one location. Other revisions
included refining Annex B, General Procedures for Evaluating Candidate Safety Symbols, by 1) adding a
table of equivalent scoring if less than 50 subjects must be used; 2) providing controls and safeguards if
the comprehension test must be administered over the Internet; 3) providing a minimum symbol size to
test when the actual symbol size is unknown; and 4) adding an optional test question about the
consequences of not following instructions.
Because of the differences in color printing technologies and color monitors, the appearance of colors in
this document may not be accurate. See the ANSI Z535-2011 Safety Color Chart for the purpose of
viewing accurate colors.
Proposals for improvement of this standard are welcome. Information concerning submittal of proposals
can be found at the back of this standard.
This standard was processed and approved for submittal to ANSI by the Accredited Standards
Committee Z535 on Safety Signs and Colors . Committee approval of this standard does not necessarily
imply that all committee members voted for its approval. At the time of approval, the ANSI Z535
Committee had the following members:

Gary M. Bell, Chair

Richard Olesen, Vice Chair
Greg Winchester, Secretary

Organization Represented: Name of Representative:

American Society of Safety Engineers J. Paul Frantz

Thomas F. Bresnahan (Alt.)
Howard A. Elwell (Alt.)

American Welding Society August F. Manz

Applied Materials Edward Karl

Carl Wong (Alt.)

Applied Safety and Ergonomics, Inc. Steven Hall

Stephen Young (Alt.)

Association for Manufacturing Technology David Felinski

Association of Equipment Manufacturers Michael Weber

Daniel Taylor (Alt.)

Browning Arms Company Larry D. Nelson

Caterpillar, Inc. Charles Crowell

Mark Steffen (Alt.)

Clarion Safety Systems, LLC Geoffrey Peckham

Dorris and Associates International, LLC Nathan T. Dorris

Alan Dorris (Alt.)
Kelly Burke (Alt.)

Eagle Crusher Co. Ryan Parsell

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ANSI Z535.3-2011

Edison Electric Institute David Young

Hale Color Consultants, Inc. William N. Hale

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Michael Kalsher

Michael S. Wogalter (Alt.)

Human Factors and Safety Analytics, Inc. B. Jay Martin

Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Sue Vogel

International Safety Equipment Association Christine Fargo

International Staple, Nail, and Tool Association John W. Kurtz

Lab Safety Supply, Inc. Jim Versweyveld

Law Office of Mathew Kundinger Mathew Kundinger

Marhefka & Associates Russell E. Marhefka

National Association of Graphic and Product Russ Butchko

Identification Manufacturers Donna Ehrmann (Alt.)

National Electrical Manufacturers Association John Katzbeck

National Spray Equipment Manufacturers Angela Redlund-Spieker

Association

P&G Duracell, Inc. Linda Moquet

Steven Wicelinski (Alt.)

Power Tool Institute Brett Cohen

Mark Hickok (Alt.)
Charles M. Stockinger (Alt.)

Rockwell Automation Steven Chybowski

Rural Utilities Service Trung Hiu

Safety and Forensic Enterprises, LLC Loren Mills

Safety Behavior Analysis, Inc. Shelley Waters Deppa

Sauder Woodworking Company Gary Bell

Scaffold Industry Association Dave Merrifield

Snap-On-Tools Dan Eggert

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Standard Register Corporation Amy Martin

Linda LeBlanc (Alt.)

System Safety Society Robert J. Cunitz

Travelers Insurance Company Karen Stetler

Underwriters Laboratories Richard Olesen

Whirlpool Corporation Deborah Sherman

Donald Grob (Alt.)

World Kitchen, LLC Celeste Levindoski

At the time it was preparing this edition of ANSI Z535.3 for Z535 Committee vote, Subcommittee Z535.3
on Criteria for Safety Symbols had the following members:

Shelley Waters Deppa, Chair

Paul Orr, Secretary

L. Dale Baker L. Dale Baker & Associates

Lewis Barbe World Safety Organization
Robert J. Cunitz System Safety Society
Shelley Waters Deppa Safety Behavior Analysis, Inc.
Donna Ehrmann National Association of Graphic and Product Identification Manufacturers
James Heckman Standard Register Corporation
Wayne Hill Power Tool Institute
Edward Karl Applied Materials
Michael Kalsher Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Mathew Kundinger Law Office of Mathew Kundinger
B. Jay Martin Human Factors and Safety Analytics, Inc.
Loren Mills Safety and Forensic Enterprises, LLC
Linda Moquet P&G Duracell, Inc.
Geoffrey Peckham Clarion Safety Systems, LLC
Jim Versweyveld Lab Safety Supply, Inc.

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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI Z535.3-2011

Criteria for Safety Symbols

1 Introduction
The U.S. population is multi-ethnic, highly mobile, and derived from a multiplicity of social and educational
backgrounds, with different reading and word comprehension skills. These factors complicate the
effectiveness of word-only signs. Effective safety symbols have demonstrated their ability to provide
critical information for accident prevention and for personal protection. Signs with safety symbols can
promote greater and more rapid communication of the safety message, and therefore greater safety for
the general population. Methodologies for designing and evaluating safety symbols are presented.
2 Scope and purpose
2.1 Scope
This standard provides general criteria for the design, evaluation, and use of safety symbols to identify
and warn against specific hazards, and to provide information to avoid personal injury.
2.2 Purpose
It is the purpose of this standard to promote the adoption and use of uniform and effective safety symbols
for safety communication. This standard also provides a procedure for evaluating image effectiveness in
communicating the intended message, as well as considerations for graphic design of safety symbols.
3 Application
3.1 Intent
This standard is intended to provide guidance in selecting safety symbols to alert persons to hazards and
to provide general safety messages. This may include applications and information associated with
products, the immediate environment, and workplaces.
3.2 Existing American National Standards
There are a number of existing American National Standards that are recognized for particular industries
or specific uses. Compliance with such a standard may be considered for such particular industries or
uses. It is not the intent of this ANSI Z535.3 standard to replace existing standards or regulations that are
uniquely applicable to a specific industry or use. It is the intent to encourage adoption of this standard in
subsequent revisions of other standards and regulations.
4 Definitions
4.1 accident: An incident that results in harm, property damage, or both.
4.1.1 harm: Any degree of physical injury, including death.
4.1.2 incident: An unintended and undesired event.
4.2 colors: Colors specified in this standard shall conform to ANSI Z535.1.
4.3 critical confusion: When a safety symbol elicits the opposite, or prohibited action. For instance,
when a safety symbol meaning “No Fires Allowed” is misunderstood to mean “Fires Allowed Here.”
4.4 excluded functions: Situations or environments where the safety symbol would not be
appropriate to use.
4.5 hazard: A potential source of harm.
4.6 image: That portion of the safety symbol which is a graphic rendering, either abstract or
representational, of the safety message.