Date of Issue: May 18, 2007
Hazard Summary:
Many workplaces have pipes containing propane, bulk oil, compressed air, and electrical utilities, that have been painted all one colour. This creates a hazard to anyone working on the pipes not knowing what they contain and what appropriate safety measures would be needed.
Employers must make sure that where a controlled product in a workplace is contained or transferred in a pipe every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure the safe use, storage and handling of the controlled product. This may be done through employee education and the use of colour coding pipes, labels, placards or any type of identification clearly legible to employees.
| Classification | Colour |
| Flammable or Explosive | Yellow |
| Chemically Active or Toxic | Yellow |
| Extreme Temperatures or Pressures | Yellow |
| Liquid or liquid mixture | Green |
| Gas or gaseous mixture | Blue |
| Water, Foam, CO2, Halon, etc | Red |
It is important for employers to remember that whichever colour scheme is used, the colours and their meaning must be posted and employees must be made aware of their meaning.
References:
Section 9 of the Workplace Hazardous Information System regulations require labeling of any controlled products in pipes.
For gas or propane comply with section 6.17.1 and 6.17.2 of CSA B149 “Natural Gas and Propane Code Handbook”.
Employers may use ANSI Standard A13.1-1981 “Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems” as a guide for identifying pipes.
ANSI Z535.1 - 2006 “Safety Colour Code” provides additional information regarding safety colours and their possible uses.