S1 E12 Understanding ANSI Z535.1-22 Safety Color Standards Artwork

Mighty Line Minute with Dave Tabar - Talking Safety Codes & Standards, Music, and Business Innovation

The Mighty Line Minute podcast is part of the Safety Stripes Podcast Network, sponsored by Mighty Line floor tape and signs. Hosted by Dave Tabar, episodes air primarily on Mondays and deliver focused, engaging content on workplace safety, operations, and industrial best practices. In addition to safety standards such as OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, ISO, and others, the podcast explores the practical implications of regulatory compliance, risk management, and loss control. Occasional episodes feature unique topics — including music, entertainment, and innovations — “for the good of the order,” offering both insight and inspiration. Follow to stay informed and ahead in safety and beyond.

Another regular segment within the Safety Stripes Network is Warehouse Safety Tips, hosted by Wes Wyatt every Wednesday. These episodes offer practical safety advice and insights tailored to warehouse environments, covering topics such as hearing conservation, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and more.

Both segments of the podcast network are highly practical, offering listeners strategies, expert interviews, and case studies to enhance safety across various work environments. They also align closely with Mighty Line’s product offerings, highlighting the critical role of high-quality safety markings—such as Mighty Line floor tape—in preventing accidents and supporting efficient operations. For more safety tips and toolbox topics related to floor tape, visit Mighty Line’s official blog. You can also request free samples of floor tape and floor signs there.

All Episodes

Mighty Line Minute with Dave Tabar - Talking Safety Codes & Standards, Music, and Business Innovation

S1 E12 Understanding ANSI Z535.1-22 Safety Color Standards

November 05, 2026 • Dave Tabar • Season 1 • Episode 12

0:00 | 2:54

Send us Fan Mail

In this S1 E12 episode of Mighty Line Minute, we explore ANSI Z535, the American National Standard for Safety Colors, Signs, Symbols, Labels, and Tags. Learn how these standards help communicate workplace hazards through the consistent use of safety colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and white. We also discuss how ANSI safety colors are applied to floor marking, aisleways, pedestrian walkways, vehicle lanes, and emergency equipment areas to improve hazard recognition, workplace communication, and employee safety. Understanding and properly implementing these standards can help reduce workplace risks and promote a safer, more organized work environment.

View all Mighty Line Safety Talk Blogs and Podcasts
Learn more about Mighty Line floor tape and Mighty Line Floor Signs
Request free floor tape samples * No Risk and Free To Try
All Mighty Line Minute Floor Tape Blogs

Greetings everyone, welcome back to Mighty Line Minute.

Last week we talked about OSHA and color. We'll be moving on now to talk about ANSI Z535.1, the American National Standard for Safety Colors. ANSI Z535.2 is the American National Standard for Facility and Safety Signs for Environmental. Z535.3, Safety Symbols, 535.4, Product Safety Signs and Labels, 535.5 is Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes, such as for temporary hazards, and Z535.6 is the American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Product Materials, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials.

It's important to note that in the area of hazard communication and standards such as the HazCom standard, ANSI is widely referenced for the use of safety colors and signage. In OSHA 1910.145, OSHA incorporated by reference earlier editions of the ANSI safety color standards. OSHA now recognizes the later use of ANSI standards, such as the most recent 2022 edition.

Employers are allowed to use and adopt most current consensus standards applicable to their operations, rather than with the OSHA standards in effect at the time of inspection, “..when the employer's action provides equal or greater employee protection.”

Colors are safety red, safety orange, safety yellow, safety green, safety blue, safety purple, and safety white.

And there is correlation with an ISO standard, which will be discussed in our next podcast. Why is color so important in its use for safety signs, symbols, floor marking, floor striping, and other uses in the work environment? It’s to provide an immediate visual cue of potential hazards. Whether it's a red floor tape or stripe indicating an immediate danger, or a yellow-black diagonal tape highlighting a unique safety and health warning, these colors prompt employees to respond appropriately, thus preventing accidents.

Additionally, yellow (or white) signaling may be an indication of an aisleway, a walkway, a vehicle lane. The ANSI safety color green is commonly used for the following: personal protective equipment and supply areas, eye wash stations, and even finished goods storage areas. These colors assure that workers are prepared for their tasks, as well as reducing the risk of injury and operational failure.

Be sure that your floor striping, marking, and signage are in accordance with the ANSI standard, and more specifically, that all employees are trained and educated.

Enjoy the rest of your day, and stay safe.