18 ANSI/OSHA Warning Labels Your Facility Needs for Safety

A single missing sticker can be the difference between a routine visit from an OSHA inspector and a costly citation—not to mention an avoidable injury. The fastest, least-expensive step you can take to cut accidents and show due diligence is to post the right ANSI/OSHA-compliant warning label everywhere a hazard exists. Yet many facilities still overlook the basics: a worn arc-flash label on a switchboard, a faded “HOT SURFACE” decal on a dryer, or no sign at all on a newly installed laser cutter.

This guide walks you through the 18 warning labels most frequently cited—or simply forgotten—across American facilities. For each label type you’ll see: 1) why it matters and the real-world incidents behind the rule, 2) the exact wording, color, and pictogram the standards demand, and 3) proven placement and maintenance tips our safety consultants use every day. Follow along and you’ll sidestep citations, protect your crew, and reinforce a culture where safety isn’t optional.

1. Electrical Shock & Arc-Flash Warning Label (ANSI Z535.4)

Electrical equipment above 50 V can unleash lethal energy in a fraction of a second. OSHA inspectors know this, which is why “no/incorrect electrical labeling” ranks in their top ten citation categories every year. Posting compliant electrical shock and arc-flash warning labels not only satisfies ANSI Z535.4 and NFPA 70E, it gives qualified workers the information they need—incident energy, approach boundaries, PPE—before they ever crack open a panel.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Arc-flash temperatures exceed 35,000 °F, hot enough to vaporize copper bus bars and cause third-degree burns at 10 ft.
From 2018-2023 OSHA logged over 1,600 violations related to electrical shock/arc-flash, averaging $15,000 per citation.
High-risk assets include switchgear, motor-control centers, panelboards, variable-frequency-drive cabinets, and large disconnects. Proper labeling helps maintenance teams identify hazards instantly and choose the right PPE, drastically cutting injury odds.

Design & Wording Requirements

Signal word: use DANGER (red) when incident energy ≥ 12.5 cal/cm²; otherwise WARNING (orange).
Header color must meet ANSI color‐contrast ratios (≥ 70% light reflectance difference).
Include ISO 7010 E001 (electric shock) pictogram, nominal system voltage, available fault current, arc-flash boundary, and referenced NFPA 70E PPE category/table.
Text height ≥ 0.12 in per foot of viewing distance; use sans-serif, all caps for the signal word.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Mount the label on the exterior of the enclosure door at eye level (4–5 ft), perpendicular to typical approach.
If live parts remain energized after the door opens, add a duplicate label inside.
After upgrades, perform a new arc-flash study and replace outdated labels—thermal imaging during scheduled PMs is a quick double-check.
Use UV-stable laminates and high-tack acrylic adhesive; wipe clean during quarterly electrical inspections to keep the graphics legible.

2. High Voltage Warning Label (600 V and Above)

Circuits above 600 V bring longer arcing distances and step-potential hazards that can kill instantly. A distinct, high-voltage label keeps workers from assuming “standard” PPE is enough and gives inspectors visual proof you recognize the elevated risk.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

State OSHA plans such as Cal/OSHA mandate separate high-voltage markings once nominal voltage exceeds 600 V.
Injuries are often electrocutions rather than burns; survival rates plummet over 600 V.
Common sources: medium-voltage transformers, wind-turbine inverters, rooftop solar disconnects, and standby generators.
Clear, consistent warning labels prevent accidental energization during testing and guide unqualified personnel to stay back.

Design & Wording Requirements

Signal word WARNING with orange header; text “HIGH VOLTAGE” in ≥ 0.5 in letters.
ISO 7010 symbol W012 (lightning bolt) at least 50 mm high.
Maintain ≥ 70 % color contrast; stroke width ≥ 0.2 in for 10 ft readability.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Center the label on doors or removable panels; avoid placing on handles where it can wear off.
Use UV-resistant vinyl on outdoor gear; inspect annually for fading, especially on sun-exposed enclosures.

3. Lockout/Tagout Required Before Servicing Label

Ignoring stored energy is how good mechanics end up as statistics. OSHA’s control-of-hazardous-energy rule—29 CFR 1910.147—lands in the agency’s top-five violations every single year because one moving part was still energized when someone reached inside a machine. A clear lockout/tagout (LO/TO) warning label acts as a visual speed bump, reminding employees to de-energize hydraulic presses, conveyors, robotic cells, or any equipment that can unexpectedly start or release pressure.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Eighty percent of LO/TO citations involve missing or illegible warnings at the point of operation.
Accidents tied to stored hydraulic or pneumatic energy account for roughly 120 fatalities annually, according to BLS data.
Labels reinforce your written LO/TO program by giving workers a real-time cue right where the decision matters.

Design & Wording Requirements

Signal word WARNING (orange header) or DANGER (red) for high-severity hazards.
Padlock/key pictogram plus the directive: “LOCK OUT POWER BEFORE SERVICING.”
Optional diagonal red/white stripes are permissible under ANSI Z535 to draw attention, as long as contrast ratios remain compliant.
Minimum text height: 0.1 in per foot of viewing distance.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Affix on every energy-isolation device (disconnect switch, valve, breaker) and on each access door or guard panel.
Use oil-resistant lamination for shop environments; wipe during each preventive-maintenance cycle.
Mount a laminated LO/TO procedure card adjacent to the label so employees have the exact isolation steps without hunting through a binder.

4. Pinch Point Hazard Warning Label

Few injuries ruin morale faster than a finger crushed between two moving parts. Pinch points lurk everywhere—rollers on a packaging line, chain drives under a guard that “never gets removed,” even the scissor action of a lift table. OSHA doesn’t list a specific pinch-point rule; instead, inspectors cite the General Duty Clause, so an unlabeled hazard is an easy citation.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Amputations and lacerations from rollers and sprockets are among the top five hand injuries recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A clear decal reminds operators to keep hands clear before the automatic cycle starts, bridging the gap between machine guarding and worker behavior.

Design & Wording Requirements

ANSI Z535 orange header with the signal word WARNING.
ISO 7010 W001 triangular pictogram (hand caught between gears) in yellow/black.
Text: “PINCH POINT – KEEP HANDS CLEAR.” Include Spanish or other second language if ≥ 10 % of the workforce is non-English speaking.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Mount within 4 in of the actual nip or shear point—ideally on the guard itself—so it remains visible whenever the guard is removed.
Use reflective or photo-luminescent vinyl in low-light maintenance tunnels.
Inspect labels after every PM that involves guard removal; replace any decal showing > 30 % fading or abrasion to keep your warning labels compliant and readable.

5. Crush Hazard Warning Label

Crushing forces act in milliseconds—one mast drop can flatten steel, never mind a wrist. A crush-hazard warning label gives workers the split-second reminder they need.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Forklift masts, balers, and vehicle lifts are classic caught-between hazards; BLS logged 70-plus crushing deaths in 2023.
Visible labels cue operators to set chocks, engage safety pins, and stay clear until motion stops.

Design & Wording Requirements

Orange header with signal word “WARNING” per ANSI Z535.
Pictogram of hand or body under load; minimum 50 mm tall for 10-ft readability.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Apply to the moving element (arm, platen, carriage) and the fixed surface it contacts.
Use oil-resistant laminate for greasy bays; replace any decal that’s peeling or faded.

6. Moving Machinery Parts Warning Label

Rotating shafts and gear trains spin deceptively fast—one loose sleeve can wrap around a coupling in less than a second. Because most entanglement accidents occur during routine clearing of jams, a bold label on the guard itself forces workers to think twice before reaching in.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

OSHA injury logs show thousands of lacerations and amputations each year tied to rotating equipment. Conveyors, agitators, and drive couplings all present snag points that bypass standard guarding once a cover is removed for service or cleaning.

Design & Wording Requirements

Combine the rotating‐gear pictogram with a hand‐entrapment symbol for clarity and add the directive: “WARNING – MOVING PARTS. KEEP HANDS CLEAR.” Use an orange header and text large enough to read from 5 ft away.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Affix labels to fixed guards, hinged access doors, and any clear polycarbonate windows that expose motion. Inspect during scheduled preventive maintenance; replace if the laminate shows abrasion, grease staining, or reduced contrast.

7. Hot Surface Warning Label

Hot metal can blister skin in seconds; a clear label warns before the grab.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

BLS data show 1 in 5 industrial burn injuries involve unlabeled equipment.
Warns crews that heat persists long after shutdown.
Meets OSHA’s duty-to-warn expectations for thermal hazards.

Design & Wording Requirements

Header HOT with ISO W017 pictogram on yellow background.
Optional second line: “SURFACE > 350 °F.”
Letter height ≥ 0.1 in / ft viewing distance; material rated 300 °F.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Install within 12 in of the touch-point; duplicate if both sides are reachable.
Use high-temp silicone adhesive; replace labels that bubble, char, or lose contrast.

8. Laser Radiation Warning Label (ANSI Z136)

Lasers can be invisible killers—eye injuries happen in microseconds and are almost always permanent. A compliant laser radiation warning label gives technicians an instant heads-up about beam class and safe-exposure limits before they open an access door or jog the machine.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Class IIIB and IV marking, welding, or cutting lasers can burn retinas or skin even from diffuse reflections.
OSHA cites ANSI Z136 as the “recognized best practice” during inspections; missing labels trigger immediate abatement orders.
Labels remind untrained staff to stay out and prompt qualified operators to don wavelength-specific eyewear.

Design & Wording Requirements

Signal word DANGER (red) for Class IIIB/IV; include laser trefoil pictogram.
Exact text: “LASER RADIATION – AVOID DIRECT EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE.”
List class, wavelength (nm), and maximum output power (mW).
Use ≥ 4 mm letter height and matte, non-reflective finish.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Dual-stage system: one label on every enclosure door plus one on the laser head.
Mount at eye level, perpendicular to approach path.
Inspect quarterly; replace any label abraded, faded, or obscured by coolant overspray.

9. Forklift Traffic Warning Label

Forklifts move quietly and often carry loads blocking the operator's view. A bold traffic warning label alerts pedestrians before they step into danger.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Over 9,000 workers are struck by forklifts annually. Labels at blind corners and docks cue pedestrians to stop, look, and wait—cutting injuries and OSHA 1910.178 citations.

Design & Wording Requirements

Use an orange WARNING header, ISO W014 forklift symbol ≥ 50 mm high, and text: “FORKLIFT TRAFFIC.” Sans-serif letters 0.3 in tall remain legible from 15 ft; ensure ≥ 70 % color contrast.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Install at eye level on door frames, rack ends, and column corners facing pedestrian flow. Pair with floor striping for 360° visibility. Inspect semiannually; replace any warning labels that fade, tear, or peel.

10. Chemical Hazard GHS/OSHA Warning Label

Walk through any plant and you’ll spot spray bottles, sample jars, and day-tanks filled from bulk drums. Those “secondary containers” fall squarely under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). If they’re not labeled, an inspector can cite you on the spot—and a worker might grab the wrong liquid and end up with a chemical burn.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

OSHA issued more than 2,000 haz-com violations last year, most tied to unlabeled transfer containers.
GHS pictograms give instant recognition across language barriers, critical for multi-shift crews.
Clear labeling links back to the Safety Data Sheet, closing the loop for training and emergency response.

Design & Wording Requirements

Include all six elements: product identifier, GHS pictogram(s), signal word (DANGER or WARNING), hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier info.
Use red diamond borders around pictograms; symbol size ≥ 0.25 in wide.
Font height ≥ 1/16 in for containers < 3 L; scale up for larger vessels.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Apply chemical-resistant vinyl or laminated polyester; inks must withstand solvents and 200 °F washdowns.
Replace any label that smudges, peels, or becomes illegible.
Review SDSs annually—update labels if formulations or hazard classifications change.

11. Flammable Material Warning Label

Solvents, resins, and fine dusts can turn a single spark into a five-alarm fire. A bold flammable-material label instantly tells employees and fire crews that ignition sources and open flames must stay away.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

OSHA 1910 subparts H and L require clear identification on any container or enclosure holding Class I liquids or combustible dust.
NFPA investigations show 43 % of spray-booth fires involved missing or unreadable warning labels.
Visible cues help maintenance teams choose intrinsically safe tools and prompt hot-work permits, trimming insurance premiums.

Design & Wording Requirements

Signal word DANGER (red header).
ISO 7010 F001 flame pictogram at least 50 mm high.
Text: “FLAMMABLE – KEEP FIRE OR SPARKS AWAY.”
Reference applicable code: “Per NFPA 30/33.”
Contrast ratio ≥ 70 %; use chemical-resistant inks.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Apply on every door, drawer, and side panel of flammable-storage cabinets plus drum tops. Use reflective vinyl so firefighters can spot it in blackout conditions. Inspect quarterly; replace labels showing fading, chemical attack, or edge lift.

12. Compressed Gas Cylinder Warning Label

Whether you store welding oxygen, CO₂ for beverage lines, or acetylene for torch work, every cylinder is a potential missile if the valve shears off or the shell overheats. A clear compressed-gas warning label tells employees—and visiting fire marshals—exactly what’s inside and how to handle it.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Ruptured cylinders can reach 50 mph in milliseconds; OSHA 1910.101 requires identification at all times.
Hazard classes vary: oxidizer, flammable, toxic. Labels prevent deadly mix-ups during change-outs and emergency response.

Design & Wording Requirements

Signal word WARNING: COMPRESSED GAS.
Cylinder pictogram plus color band or diamond matching CGA/ANSI scheme (e.g., green for oxygen, maroon for acetylene).
Include gas name, UN number, and “STORE UPRIGHT – PROTECT VALVE.” Font ≥ 0.12 in per 4 ft viewing distance; UV-fast inks.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Wrap-around or three-face labels so at least one panel is visible when cylinders are racked.
Replace labels after hydrostatic testing or whenever abrasion obscures text.
Use chemical-resistant vinyl; verify legibility during monthly cylinder-storage inspections.

13. Confined Space Entry Permit Required Label

Any tank, vault, or pit that meets OSHA’s definition of a permit-required confined space hides atmospheric and engulfment hazards you can’t see from the hatch. A bold confined-space sticker makes it impossible to shrug off the danger or skip the paperwork. Inspectors look for it first because the label is the linchpin that ties your written program, air-monitoring gear, and attendant training together.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

1910.146 citations for missing signage average $7,500 each.
Seventy percent of confined-space fatalities are rescuers who entered without authorization.
Labels remind contractors and third-shift crews that an entry permit, gas test, and attendant are mandatory.

Design & Wording Requirements

Red DANGER header with text: “PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE – DO NOT ENTER.”
Include a blank box for Permit No. and Date so entry status is obvious.
Pictogram: figure in a cylinder with a slash. Letter height ≥ 1 in for 10 ft readability.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Affix directly on the access hatch or manway at eye level; use chemical-resistant laminate rated for high humidity and caustics. Verify legibility during annual program audits and replace any warning labels that fade, peel, or are obscured by grime.

14. Biological Hazard (Biohazard) Warning Label

Blood, body fluids, and certain wastewater streams can carry pathogens that survive on surfaces for days. Without a prominent biohazard label, housekeeping staff or contractors may unknowingly handle infectious materials and violate OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

OSHA 1910.1030 mandates clear identification of regulated waste and contaminated equipment.
Labs, medical rooms, food plants, and municipal wastewater sites all face exposure risks; missing labels routinely draw citations.

Design & Wording Requirements

Fluorescent orange or red background with the biohazard trefoil in black.
Text “BIOHAZARD” underneath; additional language allowed if multilingual workforce.
Minimum symbol height 1 inch; matte finish prevents glare under lab lighting.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Apply on waste bags, sharps containers, refrigerators/freezers holding specimens, and doors to bio rooms.
Use self-laminating vinyl so labels survive bleach wipes; inspect daily and replace if edges lift or color fades.

15. Slippery or Trip Hazard Warning Label

Falls are the most common workplace accident, often starting with an unseen puddle or raised edge. A bold slip-or-trip decal gives everyone a heads-up before gravity does.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Loading docks, wash bays, and mezzanine thresholds see constant moisture or uneven transitions; OSHA inspectors cite missing slip warnings under the General Duty Clause.

Design & Wording Requirements

Use a yellow CAUTION header with the ISO W011 slipping figure or W002 trip pictogram and the text “SLIPPERY WHEN WET” or “WATCH YOUR STEP.”

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Post eye-level decals at entrances plus a low-profile, anti-skid floor graphic within the hazard zone; inspect weekly and replace at ≥30 % wear.

16. Hearing Protection Required Warning Label

Hazardous noise is invisible; a label must warn before ears ring.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

OSHA’s action level is 85 dB TWA, yet presses and grinders break 100 dB daily. Inspectors issued 1,400 §1910.95 citations last year—most for missing or unreadable warnings that left workers unprotected.

Design & Wording Requirements

Orange WARNING header, ISO 7010 M003 earmuff icon ≥ 50 mm, text: “HEARING PROTECTION REQUIRED.” Letters 0.3 in for 15 ft, 70 % color contrast, matte laminate to cut glare.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Post at every doorway into high-noise zones and on noisy machines; centerline about 5 ft. Use oil-resistant vinyl; replace labels after repainting or when surveys relocate the 85 dB boundary.

17. Eye Protection Required Warning Label

Sparks, caustic liquids, and battery acid all have one thing in common: they travel fast and head straight for the eyes. A split-second strike can blind an employee for life, yet many shops still rely on word-of-mouth reminders instead of clear, ANSI-compliant warning labels. Posting a dedicated “Eye Protection Required” decal at every hazard zone makes the rule impossible to miss and gives OSHA inspectors visible proof your PPE program is enforced.

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

Grinding booths throw steel grit at 200 mph.
Chemical mix stations and battery-charging areas generate unpredictable splashes.
OSHA injury data list eye injuries among the top ten recordable cases—most traced to unlabeled workstations.

Design & Wording Requirements

ANSI Z535 orange WARNING header or yellow CAUTION if risk is moderate.
ISO 7010 M004 safety-glasses pictogram, minimum 50 mm tall.
Clear directive: “WEAR EYE PROTECTION.” Use ≥ 70 % color contrast; sans-serif font 0.3 in high for 15 ft readability.

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Mount decals at roughly 5 ft (average eye level) on booth doors, splash shields, and charging racks. Choose graffiti-resistant, chemical-proof laminate for high-traffic fabrication shops. Inspect during monthly safety walks; replace any label showing 30 % fading, abrasion, or solvent damage.

18. Magnetic Field Hazard Warning Label

Why Your Facility Needs This Label

A screwdriver launched across an MRI room at 40 mph or a pacemaker suddenly stalling near a lifting magnet—both start with an invisible field. Ferromagnetic projectile events and medical-device interference remain the leading causes of MRI-suite and scrap-yard injuries. OSHA cites the General Duty Clause when fields above 5 gauss aren’t clearly posted, so a dedicated magnetic-field warning label closes that compliance gap.

Design & Wording Requirements

Signal word WARNING with orange header
Horseshoe-magnet pictogram plus text: “STRONG MAGNETIC FIELD – PACEMAKER/IMPLANT HAZARD”
Minimum symbol height 50 mm; color contrast ≥ 70 %

Placement & Maintenance Best Practices

Post boundary signs at the calculated 5-gauss line and on equipment housings such as magnetic separators or lift magnets. Re-verify field boundaries after any equipment move or calibration, replacing labels if they fade, peel, or no longer mark the correct exclusion zone. Regular magnetometer checks keep the label—and your liability—current.

Stay Proactive, Stay Protected

Post-incident investigations always uncover the same thing: the hazard was known, but nobody saw the warning in time. By putting these 18 ANSI/OSHA warning labels in place—each matched to the right wording, pictogram, and placement—you close the loopholes that lead to citations, downtime, and life-altering injuries. Electrical panels stay shut, solvents stay away from flames, pedestrians pause before crossing forklift aisles, and so on down the list.

Remember, labels are consumables. Heat, chemicals, UV light, and daily wash-downs all chip away at readability. Schedule inspections just as you would for PPE or fire extinguishers, and replace any decal that’s peeling, faded, or no longer reflects the current hazard analysis.

Need reliable replacements or a custom size you didn’t see in the catalog? The team at Safety Decals prints fully compliant, field-durable labels fast, so you can stay proactive—and stay protected.