Warning: Something Very Bad Could Happen

My Father in law just installed a mower on the back of his tractor, and I got looking at the instruction manual. Among the complicated instructions on how to attach the thing were warning signs that caught my eye.

I had never seen this particular one before. It's got a guy being twisted around a drive shaft. Wow.

Well, I've always been intrigued by warning and safety signs. In fact, there's something I really enjoy about the little symbol of the man slipping on a wet floor. So much so that I go out of my way to look at wet floor signs just to see the little guy falling. It's one of those crazy thing I do. Maybe other designers do this too. Maybe it's just me.

Well, pinch point signs are interesting too. Anything with a mangled hand is sure to get attention. (see below) I guess that's the point.

So, then my question is: how do these symbols become standard? Does OSHA hire some graphic designer to come up with the design of the symbol? Do they test market it? Is there a focus group? Is the symbol's effectiveness gauged by how strong of a negative reaction it gets from viewers? Or is it the biggest laugh?

I mean, think about the Biohazard sign. It's really pretty. Maybe ominous and scary, but also really very well designed. Is it ominous and scary because I know what it means or because the design is purposeful. The radioactive symbol is really nice too.

Well, I've gathered some of my favorite warning label art and posted it below for your enjoyment. You've probably seen some of these around. I took off all the words so they'd look more like stand alone pieces of art, but these are actual warning label symbols.



Here's a site where you can make your own warning sign!

What do you think?
1. Have you seen any crazy signs around?
2. Have you ever designed one of these?
3. Why is it so complicated to attach a mower to a tractor?