OR-OSHA Proposes Signage Rule Changes
The amendments to the agency's general industry and construction standards would keep them harmonized with federal OSHA's standards.
Oregon OSHA is taking comments until Nov. 29 on proposed changes to its general industry and construction standards on safety signage, in order to match what OSHA did when it updated its rules last June to reference the latest version of the American National Standards Institute standards on accident prevention signs and tags, ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011), Z535.2-2011, and Z535.5- 2011. OSHA retained references to the earlier ANSI signage standards, ANSI Z53.1-1967, Z35.1-1968 and Z35.2-1968, and OR-OSHA's rulemaking gives employers the option to comply with either the earlier or updated standards.
OR-OSHA tentatively plans to adopt the rule changes in December 2013.
Comments may be mailed to Department of Consumer and Business Services/Oregon OSHA, 350 Winter Street NE, Salem OR 97301-3882 or emailed to [email protected].
"We recognize that signage is extremely durable and anticipate that employers will gradually transition to ANSI Z535 compliant signs and tags," the state agency said in its rulemaking documents. "For example, employers might purchase current designs to replace worn or damaged signage or when additional signage is needed. ANSI Z535 signage is readily available from manufacturers and distributors. Prices range from about $3.00 to $30.00 per item for signs and tags depending on materials (cardstock, plastic, aluminum, etc.) Employers can also make their own signage through the use of software keyed to the ANSI Z535 criteria."