The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has submitted formal comments to OSHA’s proposed rulemaking published on July 1, 2025, opposing the agency’s plan to rescind the Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards (29 CFR 1910.144) rule.
ISEA believes that removing this standard — and related references in industry-specific rules for textiles, sawmills, and shipyards — would compromise worker safety.
Why the Standard Matters
While OSHA already has a standard for signs and tags (29 CFR 1910.145), 1910.144 specifically addresses the color coding of physical objects like:
- Fire protection equipment
- Safety cans or containers of flammable liquids
- Emergency stop bars on hazardous machines
- Stop buttons or electrical switches
Without this rule, manufacturers could use inconsistent colors, leading to confusion, slower response times, and greater risk of injury or death.
Protecting All Workers
OSHA expressed concern that color-based warnings might be ineffective for workers with color vision deficiencies. ISEA agrees that inclusivity is critical — but color coding and written signage work together to protect:
- Workers who are colorblind and rely on written signage
- Workers who cannot read well or fully comprehend written warnings due to language or learning barriers
Rescinding the rule would remove a key safeguard for vulnerable workers.
Industry-Wide Support and Compliance
- Safety color coding is a longstanding industry norm, aligned with ANSI Z535.1 standards.
- Nearly universal compliance shows that the rule works — OSHA’s own data reflects only a handful of citations issued since 2012.
- Low citation rates indicate success, not irrelevance.
A Special Thanks
ISEA extends a special thank you to Phil Zee, Vice President of Channel Strategy at Accuform, whose expertise in safety signage was instrumental in shaping these comments and strengthening our advocacy.
Next Steps
ISEA will continue to work with members, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure that OSHA’s rules keep workplaces safe and consistent.
