Use of "Safety Yellow" color for Machine Painting

[Techne]

Hi,

I am a manufacturing engineer in charge of rebuilding several of the machines on the floor. Along with this mechanical and electrical rebuild, I have decided to paint the machines to give them a fresh, new look.

My question is regarding the use of color for the machines. I am using "Safety Yellow", which is also VERY close to our main company color, to pain the machines; is there a problem with painting a machine this color?

I know that somewhere in the standard for ANSI safety colors, it says to "use sparingly to avoid "lessening" the safety attention grabbing effect." Would painting a whole machine line this color diminish the effect of safety designations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mr168]

Personally, I think it would. Have you considered painting the bulk of the machine a neutral color, and then the safety critical areas (guards, catch points, etc) the safety color?

 

[Techne]

Personally, I like Battleship Grey, a nice neutral color, however, it's coming down from above me that they should be the company's color (yellow). I'll argue for a more neutral color or even the original company's color (green) to keep it "traditional".

 

[KENAT]

Ah, the joy of painting out safety/regulatory concerns on color choices to management.

I'd shy away from the safety color too.

Can anyone more familiar with the relevant regulatory compliance give the OP some ammo to throw managements way. My experience is more on aircraft stores, so not directly relevant.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[JLSeagull]

John Deere and Cat paint whole construction machines yellow. Construction machines can be hazardous. Is your machine hazardous?

 

[gr2vessels]

I have checked several codes / standards and the only restriction is the use of "Danger Red" color for other than prohibition, imediat danger and fire fighting equipment.
The "Warning / Safety Yellow" should be used for anything which poses a potential danger in passage way, work area, access restrictions, many many other places highlighted for potential harm. For trained eyes, the "Safety Yellow" is highly noticeable;- it would however dilute in a similar color background and loose perhaps its warning properties. Indeed, the Caterpillar is painting strikingly their equipment in yellow, but not their workshops, where the red, yellow, green and blue are used only as signal colors. I tend to agree with the posters above advising the buk painting to be neutral color like grey, sand or similar and leave the "safety colors" to their normal designation.
Cheers,
gr2vessels

 

[dgallup]

OSHA
1910.144(a)(3)

Yellow. Yellow shall be the basic color for designating caution and for marking physical hazards such as: Striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping, and "caught in between."