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# Page 98 of 434

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**2025-01-15**

**ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English**

# **Section 7 - Safety instructions**

#### **Summary of the rules**

##### **Definitions**

##### **How to write safety instructions**

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

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

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

### **Definitions**

<u>Safety instructions tell the readers that procedures or work steps in procedures can be dangerous</u> or cause damage. Usually, descriptive writing does not include safety instructions, unless these instructions are quoted text, or a descriptive text that includes safety risks.

The words and definitions that follow agree with the specifications for technical publications that are applicable to aerospace and defense:

- A **warning** tells the reader that there is a risk of injury or death.

- A **caution** tells the reader that there is a risk of damage to objects.

It is possible that other industries or domains use different words or categories for safety instructions.

If you use different words (for example, “danger,” “attention,” or “notice”) or graphical symbols, always make sure that the content obeys rules 7.1 thru 7.3. For more information, refer to:

- International Organization for Standardization. (2018). _Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use_ (ISO 45001:2018).

- American National Standards Institute. (2024). _ANSI Z535 series_ .

- International Organization for Standardization. (2024). _Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Parts 1 thru 4_ (ISO 3864).

**Issue 9 2025-01-15**

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### **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.

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#### **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.

**Issue 9 2025-01-15**

**Part 1 - Writing rules**
