Development and Evaluation of Safety Symbols for Landscaping Products

Abstract

This project involved developing symbols to replace existing text-based warnings provided on 10 different types of landscaping products. Using symbols would eliminate the need to translate and print the text in multiple languages, reducing the amount of non-applicable information and reducing the space necessary to print the safety information on the product. ANSI Z535.3–2002, ISO 9186–2001, and ISO 3864–2002 were considered in the design, development, and testing of the symbols, including the use of acceptance criteria for open-ended comprehension testing of 85 percent correct responses with a maximum of 5 percent critical confusions (assuming a sample of 50 respondents). Seven hundred and nine participants represented three different spoken languages. Sixty-one symbols and symbol sets were developed and tested; all except three symbols (gas/oil mixture, use identical replacement parts, brushcutter accessories) passed the ANSI Z535.3 acceptance criteria for comprehension. The process of developing symbols for various types of hazards across products is discussed as are challenges associated with conforming to recommendations and requirements of multiple, sometimes conflicting standards.

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References

American National Standards Institute (2003). ANSI B175.3 “Outdoor Power Equipment–Grass Trimmers and Brushcutters–Safety Requirements.”.

American National Standards Institute (2002). ANSI Z535.1 “American National Standard for Safety Color Code.”.

American National Standards Institute (2002). ANSI Z535.3 “American National Standard for Criteria for Safety Symbols.”.

International Standards Organization (2002). ISO 3864–1 “Graphical symbols–Safety colours and safety signs–Part 1: Design principles for safety signs in workplaces and public areas.”.

International Standards Organization (2004). ISO 3864–2 “Graphical symbols–Safety colours and safety signs–Part 2: Design principles for product safety labels.”.

International Standards Organization (2006). ISO 3864–3 “Graphical symbols–Safety colours and safety signs–Part 3: Design principles for graphical symbols for use in safety signs.”.

International Standards Organization (2003). ISO 7010 “Graphical symbols–Safety colours and safety signs–Safety signs used in workplaces and public areas.”.

International Standards Organization (2001). ISO 9186 “Graphical symbols – Test methods for judged comprehensibility and for comprehension.”.

Young

Frantz

Rhoades

Wisniewski

. (2001). Revisions of labeling for personal watercraf: Part 2 – Label evaluation. Injury Control and Safety Promotion, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 211–227.