We have previously discussed and would like to reiterate the ANSI standards for environmental and facility safety signs. These standards are intended to promote uniform national practice, and include considerable changes from some past safety sign practices. As a result of these new safety sign standards and other needed changes, RUS has revised Bulletin 1728F-806, Specifications & Drawings for Underground Electric Distribution. We deleted the formerly used standards for safety signs and now refer to the following ANSI standards:

ANSI Z535.1 Safety Color Code

ANSI Z535.2 Environmental and Facility Safety Signs

ANSI Z535.3 Criteria for Safety Symbols

ANSI Z535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels

ANSI Z535.5 Accident Prevention Tags (for Temporary Hazards)

These consensus generated and coordinated standards are intended to apply to every permanent or temporary safety sign or tag used on a utility system. These standards prescribe details for colors, shapes, and panel layout for the three panel types: (1) the signal word panel, (2) the message panel, and (3) the pictorial panel. For dead-front pad-mounted equipment, we recommend that the "Warning" sign be placed on the exterior and the "Danger" sign be placed inside the enclosure.

In the past, most borrowers have used the "Danger" sign for substation fences with no additional safety signs inside the substations. We recommend that the "Warning" signs be placed on the surrounding fence and "Danger" signs be installed inside the substations on structures that support live parts. State regulatory agencies or insurance companies may also have recommendations on this topic that should be considered.

If you would like more information or have any questions, please call Trung Hiu, Electrical Engineer, Distribution Branch, at (202) 720-1877.