SMARTs from Recreation Engineering, Inc.

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SAFETY and MAINTENANCE AMUSEMENT RIDE TIP No. 3

Color Coding

Abstract:
Most people will testify that we live in a three dimensional world. However, there are additional dimensions that we exploit every day. One of these extra dimensions is color. The use of color and color coding can simplify tasks and increase the efficiency and safety of many systems.

Uses:
An area that utilizes color coding on a grand scale is signs. Facility signs, warning signs and informational signs can all use color to convey information effectively. Both ANSI and OSHA require certain colors for specific types of signs and "signal words".

Danger signs use the word DANGER written in "Safety White" lettering on a "Safety Red" background and indicate imminently hazardous situations which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. These signs are limited to the most extreme situations.
Warning signs use the word WARNING written in "Safety Black" lettering on a "Safety Orange" background and indicate potentially hazardous situations which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Caution signs use the word CAUTION written in "Safety Yellow" lettering on a "Safety Black" background and indicate potentially hazardous situations which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
Notice and informational signs use the word NOTICE written in "Safety White" lettering on a "Safety Blue" background and indicate a statement of policy as the message relates directly or indirectly to the safety of people or the protection of property. This signal word should never be used in the place of DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION.

Fire Equipment
The color red is reserved for fire equipment and signs. It has been only recently that a departure from this absolute has occurred. Some fire equipment manufacturers are delivering equipment in white and bright yellow. These colors are more visible in situations of poor visibility, such as those of smoke and fog.

Green Tag/ Red Tag
The use of color coded tags and signs is helpful to immediately identify the condition of a part or the status of a ride. From a distance, the reader can ascertain the condition of the part or ride without even being able to read the details. Green tags indicate that a preliminary inspection or other type of procedure has been conducted and the ride or part has met or exceeded the acceptance criteria and may be placed in service. Red tags indicate that the ride is not to be operated or that the part is not acceptable for use.

Manuals/ Procedures/Documents
Operations and maintenance manuals and procedures can be printed on different colored papers to indicate different types of procedures or different levels of urgency. A maintenance manual can have the emergency evacuation procedures copied onto yellow paper for easy identification in a hurried situation. Fire procedures can be written on red or pink paper, etc.

Fax machines can be loaded with canary or light blue paper and will be immediately recognizable as an urgent document when mixed in with other documents.

Caution must be exercised when making these types of color choices. If a document is to be duplicated from the colored paper, colors like red or dark blue may mask the content of the document from copy machines.

ASTM Bulletins
The American Society for Testing and Materials' F-24 committee on Amusement Rides and Devices, the nationally recognized authority on manufacture, operation, maintenance and inspection of amusement rides, has color coded the Supplemental Notification Bulletins provided by manufacturers of amusement rides.

SAFETY ALERTS are color coded red and are used for notifications that recommend immediate action be taken by the owner/operator before placing the ride or device back into service.

SERVICE BULLETINS are color coded blue and are used for notifications that do not require immediate action but do recommend future action.

NOTIFICATIONS are color coded green and are used for notifications that do not necessarily recommend future action but are primarily for the promulgation of information.

When one recognizes a red bannered document, the level of import is high and the reader immediately knows that necessary actions are required. In contrast, the green bannered document can be assigned a lower level of import and may be perused at a later time.

Guest Assistance
There are may uses for color coding when considering the patrons of amusement rides. From the parking lot through the front gate and at the ride entrance, color coding is used.

Different colored parking lot signs can assist guests when remembering the location of their vehicles.

Color coded tickets and wrist bands help personnel identify guests by category.

Height measurement signs can be color coded along with ride height requirements. For example, a child under 42 inches may measure within a red area of a height stick. That child may then only ride the rides with "red" height limitations. The rider need only measure himself once and know which height color restrictions pertain.

Queuing lines use colors to assist in staging areas. Instructions from ride attendants that group riders can be simplified by indicating to the guests on which color to line up.

Employee uniforms can be chosen to indicate both an employees function and location. These color codes can be subtle so guests are not aware or they can be highly visible to assist guests in identifying employees and their functions.

Tools
Many standardized colors for tools and supplies are used in today's industry.

Nut drivers are color coded by size.
Thread locking adhesives are color coded by strength and function.
Gasoline manufacturers dye their fuels to assist in identifying grade.
Shot type nailers are color coded by size of charge.
Common industrial radio frequencies are standardized by color.
Machine wiring is color coded to assist in wire identification and function.
Bolts, screws and other fasteners are painted or marked by color to identify inspection and function.

The uses for color coding are infinite. The amusement industry utilizes color in many useful ways. The examples listed here are but a few. Consider the uses for color coding in your situation. There are many ways that the use of color and color coding can be implemented inexpensively and relatively easily to assist in increasing efficiency and, most importantly, assist in increasing the safety of rides for both guests and employees.

Warning Signs are Color Coded