Looking for input from the group.

The definition of the signal words per ISO 3864-2 and ANSI Z535.6 are:

DANGER - signal word used to indicate an imminently hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury

WARNING - signal word used to indicate a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury

CAUTION - signal word used to indicate a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury

NOTICE - indicates information considered important, but not hazard-related
(e.g. messages related to property damage). The safety alert symbol shall
not be used with this signal word. When a signal word is used for messages
relating to property damage, NOTICE is the choice of signal word. [This
definition is from ANSI Z535.6, NOTICE does not appear in ISO 3864-2]

The signal words are to be used to identify safety messages and property
damage messages. In another context, some of the signal words have been
used to warn of data loss or damage, which I suppose is a form of property
damage.

Many standards allow the use/definition of the signal words to be modified,
provided they are defined in the documentation provided with the product.
In many cases we have seen the severity associated with the words Warning
and Caution reversed, or even the mention of injury deleted such that
Warning is associated with equipment or property damage only and Caution is
used to refer to potential injury.

Has anyone had an experience with any agency or test house where the use of
signal words was challenged, or any case where the definition had to be
defended when it was not strictly in line with the standards?

Gregory H. McClure
Lexmark Product Safety
859 232 3240 office
859 232 6882 fax

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