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# Rules Sec 7

> **Source:** ASD-STE100 Issue 9, January 2025
> **Section:** RULES (7)
> **Pages:** 99-102 of 434 (4 pages)

# Page 99 of 434

### How to write safety instructions

#### Rule 7.1 Use an applicable word (for example, "warning" or "caution") to identify the level of risk.

Use a word (for example, "warning" or "caution") or, when applicable, a symbol, to immediately show your reader the level of the related risk.

##### Examples in STE:

All examples in this section are in uppercase letters, but STE does not give rules for formatting. Refer to the applicable specifications for technical publications, style guides, and other official directives.

<u>WARNING:</u> BEFORE YOU FILL THE LIQUID OXYGEN SYSTEM, PUT ON A FACE MASK AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. LIQUID OXYGEN CAN CAUSE IRRITATION OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT AND EYE IRRITATION.

<u>WARNING:</u> ALWAYS KEEP YOUR HANDS AND FEET AWAY FROM THE BLADE. WHEN THE MOTOR OPERATES, THE BLADE TURNS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY.

<u>CAUTION:</u> BEFORE YOU OPERATE THE GROUND TEST UNIT, MAKE SURE THAT THE PRESSURE REGULATOR IS SET TO ZERO. THIS PRECAUTION WILL PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE UNIT.

<u>CAUTION:</u> DO NOT USE BLEACH OR CLEANSERS THAT CONTAIN CHLORINE TO CLEAN THE UNIT. THESE CLEANING AGENTS CAN CAUSE CORROSION.

Do an accurate risk analysis to identify the level of risk. Then, make a decision:

- If there is a risk of injury or death, use a "warning."
- If there is a risk of damage to machines, tools, or equipment, use a "caution."
- If there are the two levels of risk together, use a "warning."

##### Examples:

> **Non-STE:** _<u>CAUTION:</u> EXTREME CLEANLINESS OF OXYGEN TUBES IS IMPERATIVE._
>
> **STE:** <u>WARNING:</u> MAKE SURE THAT THE OXYGEN TUBES ARE FULLY CLEAN. OXYGEN AND GREASE MAKE AN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE. AN EXPLOSION CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.

In the non-STE example, the safety instruction is a caution. But if you know about oxygen systems, you also know that oxygen mixed with other materials can cause explosions. Because there is a risk of injury or death here, you must identify this safety instruction as a warning.

Compare the wording in the two safety instructions. The non-STE safety instruction is an abstract sentence and only makes a general statement. The warning in STE gives clear and correct information about how to decrease the risk of explosion. The warning contains the words "explosion," "injury," and "death" to make the reader clearly understand how important this safety instruction is.

# Page 100 of 434

#### Rule 7.2 Start a safety instruction with a clear and accurate command or condition.

Start a safety instruction with a clear and accurate command or condition. Your reader must know how to prevent accidents and keep a high level of safety.

##### Examples in STE:

(Refer to the underlined command.)

<u>WARNING: DO NOT SWALLOW THE SOLVENT. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW</u> THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLVENTS. SOLVENTS ARE POISONOUS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.

<u>CAUTION: DO NOT USE BLEACH OR CLEANSERS THAT CONTAIN CHLORINE TO CLEAN</u> THE UNIT. THESE CLEANING AGENTS CAN CAUSE CORROSION.

If your reader must know about a condition before the start of a procedure or work step, give this condition first.

##### Examples in STE:

(Refer to the underlined condition.)

<u>WARNING: WHILE YOU USE THE SPRAY PAINT, POINT THE SPRAY AWAY FROM YOUR</u> FACE. THE SPRAY PAINT CAN CAUSE INJURY TO YOUR EYES.

<u>CAUTION: WHEN YOU ASSEMBLE THE UNIT, DO NOT LET THE PARTS FALL.</> IF THEY FALL, PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE PARTS CAN OCCUR.

# Page 101 of 434

#### Rule 7.3 Give an explanation to show the risk or possible result.

If it is possible, always tell your reader about the problems that can occur if the reader does not obey the safety instruction. If there is a clear and specified risk, the person who does the task will understand the risk and be more careful. The examples that follow are those given in rule 7.2, in which the underlined explanation clearly shows the risk or possible result.

##### Examples:

(Refer to the underlined risk or possible result.)

<u>WARNING:</u> DO NOT SWALLOW THE SOLVENT. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLVENTS. <u>SOLVENTS ARE POISONOUS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.</u>

<u>CAUTION:</u> DO NOT USE BLEACH OR CLEANSERS THAT CONTAIN CHLORINE TO CLEAN THE UNIT. THESE CLEANING AGENTS CAN CAUSE CORROSION. <u>WARNING:</u> WHILE YOU USE THE SPRAY PAINT, POINT THE SPRAY AWAY FROM YOUR FACE. THE SPRAY PAINT CAN CAUSE INJURY TO YOUR EYES.

<u>CAUTION:</u> WHEN YOU ASSEMBLE THE UNIT, DO NOT LET THE PARTS FALL. <u>IF THEY FALL, PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE PARTS CAN OCCUR.</u>

# Page 102 of 434

## Section 8 - Punctuation and word count

### Summary of the rules

| Rule | Description |
|------|-------------|
| Rule 8.1 | You can use all standard English punctuation marks but not the semicolon (;). |
| Rule 8.2 | Use hyphens (-) to connect words that are directly related. |
| Rule 8.3 | You can use parentheses:<br>- To make references to illustrations or text<br>- To include letters or numbers that identify items on an illustration or in a text<br>- To identify the work steps in a procedure<br>- To include abbreviations<br>- To give the singular and plural forms of a noun at the same time<br>- To explain words or a part of a sentence<br>- To include an alternative. |

### Word count

| Rule | Description |
|------|-------------|
| Rule 8.4 | In a vertical list, a colon (:) has the same effect on word count as a period and shows the end of a sentence. |
| Rule 8.5 | When you put text in parentheses, it counts as one word in that sentence. |
| Rule 8.6 | Count each of these elements as one word:<br>- Numbers<br>- Numbers together with units of measurement<br>- Abbreviations<br>- Alphanumeric identifiers<br>- Quoted text<br>- Titles, headings, placards, and labels<br>- Proper nouns of individuals, groups, organizations, and political entities. |
| Rule 8.7 | Hyphenated words count as one word. |

### Punctuation

Correct punctuation is important because it prevents ambiguity and shows how the different parts of the text are related.

STE does not give you rules about general punctuation. For more information, refer to official reference books. For example:

- The Chicago Manual of Style. (2024). _The Chicago manual of style_ (18th ed.).
- Sabin, W. A. (2011). _The Gregg reference manual: A manual of style, grammar, usage, and formatting_ (10th ed.).
- U.S. Government Publishing Office. (2020). _U.S. Government Publishing Office style manual._
- Swan, M. (2017). _Practical English usage_ (4th ed.).
- Kirkman, J. (2006). _Punctuation matters: Advice on punctuation for scientific and technical writing_ .
