Read Manual and Refer to Manual Labels
Clarion's "refer to manual" labels are a much-needed solution to the problem
of making the warnings that appear on your product short and concise. One of the
first steps in the product risk assessment process is to distill what messages should
be placed on the product's safety labels and what information should go in the product's
collateral material (e.g. instruction manuals, operating instructions, specification
sheets). If you choose to use safety labels for the most severe or imminent hazards
and then place additional safety information in an operating manual, serious consideration
should be given to placing a "refer to manual" label on the product.
The ANSI Z535.4-2007 Standard for Product Safety Signs and Labels acknowledges this
practice by saying, "When detailed instructions, precautions, or consequences
require lengthy verbiage, it shall be permissible to refer the user to the proper
instruction manual." (6.5.2)
This has become a widely accepted practice among Clarion customers. In the above
statement, ANSI Z535.4 acknowledges that you sometimes cannot use safety labels
to warn about every risk associated with your product; and this is where the interplay
between safety labels and manuals occurs. Often it's a combination of safety information
placed in manuals and on safety labels that communicate what's necessary for the
safe installation, use, service, decommissioning, and disposal of a product. As
such, a product's manuals and safety labels become the two essential tools attorneys
use to defend companies in the event of a product liability lawsuit containing the
allegation of "failure to warn" or "inadequate warnings."
When used in conjunction with specific hazard safety labels on your product, Clarion's
"refer to manual" labels can help to fulfill your legal duty as a manufacturer
to warn people of risks.
Refer To Manual Labels Catalog
Your expert resource.
Trust Clarion to meet your duty-to-warn requirements with compliant safety signs and labels.
We know ANSI Z535, the standards that define best practices in safety communications. Clarion has helped advance them for more than two decades.
Our expertise is deep and genuine, having worked with 10,000+ companies across 180+ industries worldwide.
Collaborate with us to bring a new level of safety communication to your company.
No compromises.
When it comes to safety, your signs and labels must not compromise in design and materials. Clarion is one of a handful of 3M Preferred Converters, offering our customers the finest adhesives, base materials and overlaminates in the world.
Always there to be seen.