THE INFLUENCE OF COLOR ON WARNING LABEL PERCEPTIONS

Citation
Cc. Braun et al., THE INFLUENCE OF COLOR ON WARNING LABEL PERCEPTIONS, International journal of industrial ergonomics, 15(3), 1995, pp. 179-187
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Ergonomics,Ergonomics
ISSN journal
01698141
Volume
15
Issue
3
Year of publication
1995
Pages
179 - 187
Database
ISI
SICI code
0169-8141(1995)15:3<179:TIOCOW>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
Current standards and guidelines on warning design recommend pairing t he colors red, orange, and yellow with the signal words DANGER, WARNIN G, and CAUTION, respectively. Much of the previous literature, however , has used achromatic stimuli to assess levels of hazard. Therefore, t he major purpose of the present research was to determine whether cons umer products presented in color differed in perceived hazard from tho se products presented achromatically. A sample of 33 participants rate d 24 labels that varied across product class, signal word (DANGER, WAR NING, and CAUTION), and chromaticity. A composite variable ''perceived hazardousness'' was formed from the averaged ratings from questions r egarding likelihood of injury, hazardousness of the product, and caref ulness in usage. Likewise, a composite variable ''perceived readabilit y'' was formed from the averaged ratings concerning readability and sa liency. Results showed that labels presented in color were perceived t o be more hazardous and more readable than those presented in black-an d-white. Adhesives were perceived to be more hazardous than general cl eaners, bathroom cleaners, and automotive products. Differences in per ceived readability may be explained by width-to-height ratios that var ied across product classes. Implications for warning design are discus sed.