OSHA updates signage rules with consensus standards

Washington – OSHA standards on warning signage for general industry and construction have been updated by a direct final rule that incorporates references to more recent consensus standards.

The standards – 1910.97, 1910.145, 1910.261 and 1926.200 – have been updated to include signage references to American National Standards Institute standards issued in the past 10 years. Previously, they referenced ANSI standards first issued in the late 1960s. Employers are allowed to follow either the updated ANSI standards or the older standards.

The direct final rule also incorporated by reference part of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices into 1926.6.

The direct final rule originally was issued June 13 and, having not received any significant adverse comment, went into effect Sept. 11, according to a notice published in the Nov. 6 Federal Register.