Safety - Identification and Color Coding
Safety - Identification and Color Coding
Safety - Identification and Color Coding
SUBJECT : 32nd WEEKLY TOOLBOX MEETING (SAFETY IDENTIFICATION & COLOR CODING)
A. Objective :
To introduce to the workers that safety identification and safety color coding in the Saudi ARAMCO
Facilities is a must in order to identify potential hazards and alleviate fire and safety concerns.
B. Introduction :
Color is one of the most effective on-the-job safety devices ever used, and all workers should be
familiar with the color plan and color coding used by their companies.
If hazards are identified by a good, consistent color system, and proper orientation and familiarization
procedures are followed to acquaint all workers with the color-hazard relationship, the recommended
color code system must be followed.
All workers should become thoroughly familiar with the color coding used in your work areas and it’s
important that new workers or veteran workers with a new job be acquainted with the system of color
coding.
5. New Safety sign symbols and colors, shall meet ANSI Z535.1 to Z 535.5 including safety accident
prevention tags for temporary hazards. The colors assigned for Safety are; red, green, yellow, yellow &
black, orange, blue, and white, and this color criteria for safety colors shall meet the ANSI standard.
(Safety Color Code-ANSI-Z535.1, Environmental & facility Safety Signs-ANSI 535.2, Standard
for Criteria for Safety Symbols-ANSI-Z535.3, product Safety Signs & Labels-ANSI-Z535.4, &
Standard for Accident Prevention Tags(for Temporary Hazards)-ABSI 535.5).
a. Safety Red = shall be used as the color indicator for fire protection equipment and piping, as well as
emergency stop push button devices. Safety red shall also be used for background of “Danger” and
“Stop” signs, “Emergency Room” signs and arrows, and “Emergency Shutdown” signs, and the
lettering shall be in Safety White.
b. Safety Green = shall be used as the background color indicator for locations of emergency Safety
equipment, such as First Aid Equipment, Breathing Apparatus, and Safety Instructions.
c. Safety Yellow and Yellow & Black = shall be the color indicator for physical and radioactive
hazards, such as manhole covers and any associated concrete structure that may protrude (for
communications manhole cover), warning and caution signs shall have black lettering on safety
yellow background, physical hazards such as stumbling and tripping hazards, concrete supports at the
base of stairways or ladders, passageway pinch points, unguarded edges, barricades including access
road overpass railing in plant areas, safety yellow and black stripes shall be used stripes 100mm wide),
and location of plant public address system shall be marked by safety yellow stripes on safety black
background.
d. Safety Orange = shall be used as the color indicator for the following;
1. Orange paint, orange dye, and orange marker tape shall be used to identify buried concrete
communications ducts and manhole cover.
2. Marine related life safety devices such as escape capsules and flotation work vest shall be orange in
accordance with international convention.
3. Isolation valves and associated instruments shall be painted safety orange.
4. Inlet and outlet block valves for pressure relief valves shall be painted orange.
e. Safety Blue = shall be used as the color indicator for potable water (sweet water and domestic raw
water). Above ground potable water piping in plant areas shall be painted blue.
Other Standards (reference only):
API STD 1542 = Airport Equipment Markings for Fuel Identifications
ANSI/CGA C-4 = Method of Marking Portable Compressed Gas Containers to Identify the Material
Contained.
ANSI/CGA C-7 = Precautionary Labeling and Marking of Compressed Gas Containers
BS 381C = Colours for Identification, Coding and Special Purposes
RAL = German Specification for Colors (RAL)
FS 595B = Colors used in Government Procurement (USA).
NFPA 55 = Storage, use and handling of Compressed and Liquefied Gases in Portable Cylinder
Always Remember:
Color coding is used extensively in certain piping systems to indicate to workers what the line
contains, such as water, steam, electricity, high pressure, air, gases or chemicals particularly at the
Saudi ARAMCO Facilities.