OSHA sign Self-contained breathing apparatus mandatory in this area

“Self-contained breathing apparatus required in this area” sign in French, available in various sizes and materials: plastic, aluminum, or self-adhesive vinyl.

Various sizes and materials – plastic, aluminum, or self-adhesive vinyl This safety sign clearly indicates that a self-contained breathing apparatus is required in the area concerned. It is available in several sizes and materials to suit different indoor or outdoor work environments.

This is an OSHA “Notice” type poster, designed to convey a general directive and not to signal an imminent danger, caution, or warning.

General description of the OSHA “Self-contained breathing apparatus required in this area” poster

The poster is available in French, but can also be provided in English or in a bilingual version, when permitted by your local regulations.

Two formats are particularly popular, 7“ x 5” and 10“ x 7”, but any other format can be obtained by special order. It can be produced in rigid plastic, aluminum, or self-adhesive vinyl.

To meet more specific needs, several options can be added, including UV-resistant lamination to preserve colors outdoors, or a retro-reflective or photoluminescent finish to improve visibility in low-light conditions.

Context and role of the OSHA “Notice” poster

OSHA posters cover a wide range of situations through a combination of standardized pictograms, captions, and headers. The “Notice” header, on a white background with a blue rectangle, indicates a general instruction applicable in a given area.

In this case, it indicates that self-contained breathing apparatus must be worn before entering. This directive stems from respiratory protection requirements. According to American standards (notably OSHA 1910.134), employers must provide adequate breathable air and, when engineering controls are insufficient (ventilation, extraction, filtration), it is mandatory to require the use of respiratory protective equipment.

Although Canada has its own OHS standards, many employers choose to use OSHA signage formats and standards because they are clear, recognized, and easy to interpret, regardless of the worker's native language.

In environments where respiratory hazards are present—dust, vapors, mists, fumes, chemical mists—this signage becomes an essential tool for reducing exposure risks.

Choosing the right material for a signage poster

The choice of material will depend on the environment where the poster will be installed.

Plastic signs are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, but prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause colors to fade more quickly.

UV-resistant lamination can extend the life of the sign, although degradation is still possible over time.

Aluminum signs are more robust and ideal for outdoor use, especially in areas where there is a risk of impact, shock, or tampering. They are weather-resistant and retain their rigidity.

Self-adhesive vinyl posters are versatile and can be placed on a variety of surfaces. They are particularly durable indoors, where they are not exposed to UV rays, humidity, or extreme temperature fluctuations.

In all cases, it is important to choose a format that is legible from the distance at which workers need to see the information, and a material that is suitable for the actual conditions of the workplace.

Options available for the “Notice - Self-contained breathing apparatus required in this area” poster

You can customize your poster with:

• UV-resistant lamination;
• a retro-reflective option;
• or a photoluminescent option for low-light environments.

English or bilingual versions are available upon request. 

Sylprotec can also produce custom posters: special dimensions, adapted pictograms, different texts, or the addition of special features.

Special orders for our Sylprotec posters

For posters in another language, custom formats, or versions including special options, simply contact Sylprotec customer service.

Special orders require a production time of four weeks.

If the poster you are looking for is not in the standard list, Sylprotec can create customized signage to meet your specific needs.

FAQs about the OSHA poster “Notice - Self-contained breathing apparatus required in this area”

1. Is it mandatory in all companies?

The sign itself is not always mandatory, but the instruction it conveys may be. According to current regulations (in Canada or according to OSHA 1910.134), employers must implement a respiratory protection program when exposure limits cannot be met through ventilation or engineering controls alone. Posting is strongly recommended to avoid oversights, errors, and accidental exposure.

2. Why are OSHA standards used in Canada?

Although Canada has its own OHS standards, OSHA posters are often used for their visual clarity, consistency, and international recognition. Many Canadian industries, especially those that collaborate with American companies, opt for this format to ensure immediate understanding, even in multilingual environments.

3. What material should I choose for my sign?

The choice depends mainly on where it will be installed.

Plastic is versatile and economical, ideal for indoor use but less durable in sunlight.

Aluminum is the most robust material: perfect for outdoor use, resistant to impact, wind, and weather.

Self-adhesive vinyl is recommended for smooth surfaces: walls, doors, machines, equipment. It is durable indoors and can be suitable outdoors if the surface is protected.

If your poster will be exposed to direct light or in a humid environment, UV-resistant lamination, a retro-reflective option, or a photoluminescent option are good choices.

4. Where should this poster be displayed to be most effective?

The poster should be displayed at the entrance to the area concerned, at a visible height and in a location that all workers must pass through. It is usually placed near PPE lockers, before contamination areas, or at the entrance to a chemical treatment room or confined space.

5. Why is it important to display this instruction even if employees are trained?

Because training is not always enough, especially in high-risk environments. A poster acts as an immediate reminder, prevents oversights in the heat of the moment, and protects temporary workers, new employees, or visitors who may not be familiar with internal procedures. It is a simple tool that significantly reduces the risk of exposure.

6. What if I can't find the poster I'm looking for on the website?

Simply contact Sylprotec customer service. The team can recommend an alternative, customize an existing poster, or create a completely customized template based on your needs.

Suggested complementary products for the stain remover:

Need additional safety equipment? See the following items: 12-inch axial blower kit (RA9548-25EX), 8" axial fan (RA9533-15), Peakworks 3-way confined space kit, 60 feet & winch (FPLRK3), Peakworks 3-way confined space kit, 60 feet (FPLRK1), multigas detector (O₂, CO, H₂S + explosive gas) MSA Altair 4X (DETEC4G), 28-inch orange PVC traffic cone, 4-inch reflective tape (EPTCONE28), TYCHEM 2000 yellow disposable coverall (VQC127SYL), 10-foot expandable safety barrier (EPT999).

Under “Accessories” at the bottom of the page. If you are looking for work equipment, check out the following products: White antistatic coverall with hood (V51), containment fabric (SACTT2) or air scrubbers (SAH2MA).

The green text corresponds to hyperlinks leading to specific safety equipment or general information.

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French-language “Avis Respirateur autonome obligatoire dans cette zone” posters in a variety of formats and materials: plastic, aluminum or self-adhesive vinyl.

Description of OSHA “Avis Respirateur autonome obligatoire dans cette zone” poster:

English-language and bilingual signs are also available where regulations permit. You have the option of adding anti-UV lamination for color protection; for enhanced visibility, you can add a retro-reflective or photoluminescent option.

As far as formats are concerned, 7“ X 5” and 10“ X 7” are the most popular, but any other format is possible if a special order is placed. Contact Sylprotec for posters in languages other than French, for a custom poster or a poster with one of the options listed above.

OSHA posters cover a wide range of situations, thanks to different headings, pictograms and legends that allow a panoply of combinations for all fields of activity.

OSHA-compliant posters with the “Notice” header are used to inform the public of a general situation where a specific instruction is in effect. The “Self-contained breathing apparatus required in this area” sign has a blue rectangle at the top on a white background and is used to indicate any general message, not to indicate hazards, warnings or cautions.

A little background on the “Self-contained breathing apparatus required in this area” notice:

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Association), created by the U.S. Congress in 1970, is the government body that enforces occupational health and safety regulations in the United States.

Although Canada already has an organization responsible for all OHS matters, companies and employers sometimes opt for OSHA standards, which are also used in Canada. Like CSA, OSHA also has a regulation on the general control of a working environment: OSHA 1910.134. According to this standard, and all those in Subpart I, all employers must ensure good quality breathable air for their employees.

The control of occupational respiratory diseases caused by air contaminated by dust, mists, fogs, smoke, fumes or vapors in the workplace should be a priority for everyone. In the first instance, the contaminated environment should be controlled as far as possible by some form of engineered solution, such as a ventilation system. If such a solution fails to achieve the permissible exposure limit, the employer's second priority should be to ensure that employees wear respiratory protective equipment.

By law, all employers must also implement a respiratory protection program that meets applicable standards. Although the posting of safety signs is not mandatory in many cases, it is highly recommended to indicate each of the regulations in force, since this can ultimately save a lot of misery.

OSHA posters are quite precise and effectively express the message you want to get across, regardless of the worker's language skills.

Which material to choose for your OSHA “Self-contained breathing apparatus notice required in this area” poster:

Choosing a sign depends on a number of factors that need to be factored into the equation: the right material for your workplace, the sign's reading distance, which determines the sign's size, the shape of the workplace, which determines the sign's format, and so on.

• Plastic signs can be used both indoors and outdoors. Note, however, that if exposed to UV rays, colors will fade more quickly.
• UV-laminated signs will last longer, but will ultimately fade too.
• Aluminum signs are more suitable for outdoor use, but can also be used indoors, especially in workplaces where there's a risk of impact.
• Self-adhesive vinyl signs can be used indoors and outdoors, but are much more durable indoors.

Caution:

Please contact customer service for posters in formats other than those listed above, as well as for English or bilingual posters. Please allow four (4) weeks for delivery of special orders. If you can't find the poster you want, please contact our customer service department for custom signage.