Science of Color: Why is Yellow Used for Safety?

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration designates yellow as the color “designating caution and for marking physical hazards.” Our innovative Edge Defense™ safety mats rely on the traditional, sunny hue, as do many other products designed to improve awareness and urge caution.

Why yellow?

Roof Monitor CEO Brad Beldon shows how the bright yellow Edge Defense™ safety system is installed upon a commercial rooftop.

Roof Monitor CEO Brad Beldon shows how the bright yellow Edge Defense™ safety system is installed upon a commercial rooftop.

Over the years, key studies have suggested that yellow is the most visible color from a distance, making it the go-to shade for traffic signs, taxis, school buses, and more. Yellow is also one of the most common colors of flowers, probably because its attention-grabbing petals draw pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Yellow’s perceived “brightness” is due in large part to how we see. Color is created when light hits an object. Some of that light is reflected, while some of it is absorbed by the object it hits.

Four specialized receptors in our retinas––three called “cones” and one type dubbed “rods”––respond to the light that is reflected. Our eyes absorb wavelengths of light that fall in the yellow-green zone of the color spectrum more strongly, and more types of our eyes’ cones recognize those wavelengths as well, ensuring that yellow is usually bold and easily spotted.

Another huge plus? Even color-blind individuals can almost always see yellow.

Science, experience, and a sincere desire to help rooftop works be safer have gone in to the creation Edge Defense™. Let’s talk today to see if this game-changing system is a good fit for your roof.

Posted on: April 2, 2015