> According to ANSI Z35.4 the following definitions are provided:
>
>
>
> DANGER - Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not
> avoided will result in death or serious injury. This signal word is to
> be limited to the most extreme situations.
>
> WARNING - Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
> avoided may result in minor or moderate injury. It may also be used to
> alert against unsafe practices.
>
> CAUTION - Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
> avoided may result in minor or moderate injury. It may also be used to
> alert against unsafe practices.
>
> Note: DANGER or WARNING should not be considered for property damage
> accidents unless personal injury risk appropriate to these levels is
> also involved. CAUTION is permitted for property-damage-only accidents.
I feel the authors of these definitions neither consulted
a dictionary nor the users of warnings. According to my
Webster's Collegiate Dictionary:
warn (verb): 1a: to give notice to beforehand, especially
of danger or evil; 1b: to give admonishing advice to; 1c:
to call to one's attention; 2: to order to go or stay away:
to give a warning.
So, all of the ANSI definitions serve to warn.
warning (noun): 1: the act of warning: the state of being
warned; 2: something that warns or serves to warn, especially
a notice or bulletin that alerts the public that a tornado
has been reported in the immediate vicinity or that the
approach of a severe storm is imminent.
So, all of the ANSI definitions are warnings.
danger (noun): 1: (archaic); 2: (obsolete); 3: exposure
or liability to injury, pain, harm, or loss <a place where
children could play without danger>; 4: a case or cause of
danger <the dangers of mining>.
So, the word "danger" refers to a "thing."
caution (noun): 1: warning, admonishment; 2: precaution; 3:
prudent forethought to minimize risk; 4: one that astonishes
or commands attention <some shoes you see these days are a
caution>.
So, the word "caution" is defined as a "warning."
The so-called signal words are fabrications unrelated to the
definitions of the words. This is a shame because it dilutes the
power of the words.
In my experience, users do not understand the subtle differences
intended by the signal words.
Best regards,
Rich
Richard Nute
Hewlett-Packard Company
San Diego
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