COLOR CODING AND

SAFETY SIGNAGE
CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Purpose
• Colour Impact
• Signage
• Colour Coding in Piping
• Inspection
• Training
• Maintenance
• Reference
INRODUCTION
• Color is the characteristic of visual perception that allows an observer
to distinguish the differences in the quality of visual perception caused
by the differences in the spectral composition of light.
• Colour attracts attention and can be used extensively for safety
purposes.
• Safety signs and Color codes are used in all industries in order to
prevent the Accident, Fire, Health hazards and also for Emergency
evacuation
PURPOSE
The Purpose of safety colours and safety signs are to draw attention rapidly to
objects and situations affecting safety and health and to gain rapid understanding of
a specific message
Safety signs are used to:
• draw attention to health and safety hazards
• point out hazards that may not be obvious
• provide general information and directions
• remind employees where personal protective
equipment must be worn
• show where emergency equipment is located
• indicate where certain actions are prohibited
COLOUR IMPACT
The choice of colour also draws attention to the probability of a hazard
causing harm. For example, the colour red is used to indicate a definite
hazard. A potential hazard is communicated by the colour yellow.
When employees are aware of the hazards around them and take the
necessary precautions, the possibility of an injury, illness or other loss is
minimized.
However while safety signs and colours are valuable in warning of
hazards, they are not substitutes for eliminating or reducing those
hazards, whenever possible.
SIGNAGE
Types of Signs
used

Safe
Prohibition Mandatory Warning Fire safety
Condition
Prohibition
A sign prohibiting behaviour likely to increase or cause danger

Intrinsic features:
(a) round shape;
(b) black pictogram on white background, red edging and diagonal line (the red
part to take up at least 35% of the area of the sign).

45
Mandatory
A sign prescribing specific behavior

Intrinsic features:
(a) round shape;
(b) white pictogram on a blue background (the blue part to take up at
least 50% of the area of the sign).
Warning
A sign giving warning of a potential hazard(Yellow) or definite
hazard(Red).

Intrinsic features:
(a) triangular shape;
(b) black pictogram on a yellow background with black edging (the
yellow part to
take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).
Safe Condition
A sign giving information on safe acts and condition to be performed in
an emergency.

Intrinsic features:
(a) rectangular or square shape;
(b) white pictogram on a green background (the green part to take up at
least 50% of the area of the sign).
Fire Safety
A sign giving information about the whereabouts of
emergency equipments in case of fire.

Intrinsic features:
(a) rectangular or square shape;
(b) white pictogram on a red background (the red
part to take up at least 50% of
the area of the sign).
Safety Markings
CONDITIONS MARKINGS

Hazard Location

Prohibition or Fire fighting

equipment

Mandatory Instructions

Safe Conditions

The bands are of equal width inclined at an angle of 45

Indicator Light or Buttons

Colour Indicator Light Button/Control

Danger or
Red Stop/off
Alarm

Caution/
Yellow Caution
intervention

Green Safe Condition Start/on

Colour Coding in Piping system
There are many ways you can identify the contents of pipes. The law,
however, requires you to train your workers on the identification
system you use. A way of ensuring that your employees have a clear
understanding of what a pipe contains is by:
• labeling the pipe with a tag that clearly identifies the material inside
• attaching the appropriate WHMIS symbol, if the material is a
controlled product
• painting the pipe with a safety colour
Use arrows on the pipe to show the direction of the flow of the contents.
IS STANDARD
Substance Piping Colour
Water Sea green
Steam Aluminium to IS-2339
Mineral, vegetable and animal oils,
Light Brown
Combustible liquids
Acids Dark Violet
Air Sky Blue
Gases Canary Yellow
Alkalies Smoke Gray
Other liquids/Gases that don’t need
Black
identification
Hydrocarbon/Organic Compounds Dark admirality Grey
Super-imposed on ground colour of the pipeline and the ground colour
should also extend for a sufficient distance from the colour band to
avoid confusion
Location of Bands

• At Battery limit points

• Intersection and Change of direction points
• Midway if piping way, near valves, junction, joints of service
appliances, walls on either side of pipe culverts.
• At 50m intervals for long pipelines
• At start and terminating points.
• According to IS codes we have

Contents Ground color First color band Second color band

• The Color bands have to be placed in order

• The width ratio of the bands should be 4:1 for first and second band
respectively.
• Width of Band Nominal Pipe size Width L (mm)
80 NB and below 25
Over 100 NB to 150 NB 50
Over 200 NB to 300 NB 75
Over 350 NB 100
Sizing of Letters
Outside diameter of Size of legend
pipe or covering letters
(MM) (MM)
20 - 30 10
30 – 50 20
50 - 80 30
80 – 150 40
150 – 250 90
Above 250 90
ANSI STANDARD
Fluid Pipe Colour
Water line Blue
Fire water line Red
Light Orange
Petroleum
Intermediate Oxide Red
Products
Heavy Black
Lube and Crude oil Grey
Chemicals Yellow
Air and Other Gases Orange/Green
ASME STANDARD
Material property Letter Color Field Color Example

Flammable Black Yellow

Combustible White Brown

Toxic and Corrosive Black Orange

Fire Quenching White Red

Other water White Green

Compressed air White Blue

Questions while Inspecting
• What messages need to be conveyed to employees and workplace visitors?
• Which messages are most important to health and safety?
• Do current signs appropriately convey the importance of a message, e.g., do
more important messages stand out?
• Are current signs and safety colours easy to understand? Do they meet the
needs of observers with visual limitations, e.g., those who confuse red and
green?
• How about the needs of employees who do not speak English?
• Are employees trained to understand workplace signs and colours?
• Do employees comply with signs?
• Is there consistency in the use of safety signs and colours?
• Are signs visible, away from clutter or obstructions, and well-lighted?
• Are signs and colours effective in drawing attention to hazards?
• Are signs posted in the best possible location and within an
appropriate distance from hazards?
• What is the general condition of existing signs?
• Do signs meet legal requirements?
• Do the signs, symbols and colours used reflect current standards (e.g.,
CSA standards)?
Effective Usage of Colours and Signs
• Keep colours to a minimum - This emphasizes the most important
signs and colour markings, and also prevents confusion and visual
fatigue . Use colours consistently throughout the workplace.
• Ensure that employees who are colour blind (specifically, red-green
confusing) can understand signs and coloured controls.
• Use symbol signs with text.
• Use flashing lights, audible alarms or signs beside coloured controls.
Design of Sign Plates:
Signs should have rounded or blunted corners to prevent sharp edges,
burrs, splinters or other sharp projections. Position fastening devices
carefully so that they don’t become hazards.
Training
Train employees so that they understand:
• the meaning of the various shapes, symbols and colours used
• the contents of pipes based on their colour, attached tags and other markings
• the consequences if exposed to the hazard
• safety precautions to follow
• what to do in an emergency
• how to use emergency equipment

Make this training a part of your orientation or induction training for new
employees.
Review the meaning of signs and colours periodically with employees to ensure all
signs are understood. Provide refresher training as needed.
Maintenance
• Maintain safety signs in good condition.
• Inspect signs during regular workplace inspections.
• Replace worn, faded, damaged, and outdated signs.
• Change signs that are often misunderstood or overlooked.
• Remove signs that are redundant or no longer needed.
• Repaint areas where safety colours have faded.
Reference
• IS 9457 (2005): Safety colours and safety signs - Code of Practice
[CHD 8: Occupational Safety, Health and Chemical Hazards]
• IS 2379 (1990): Colour code for identification of pipelines[MED
17:Chemical Engineering Plants and Related Equipment]
• ASME A13.1 – 2007 Standard for identification of pipes
• Safety signs and signals - The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and
Signals) Guidance on Regulations
• Safety Signs and Colour at Work - Industrial Accident Prevention
Association, 2007.