The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has developed a Chinese-language version of the AEM Safety Pictorial Database, which provides illustrations for use in safety signs and materials.

The illustrations are for voluntary use and have "promoted greater consistency and clarity in pictorial image use, to aid worker comprehension and enhance safety", says AEM. The association has introduced the Chinese-language version to improve the global communication of safety messages.

Industry technical and safety professionals working with AEM introduced the original English-language database in 2006 as a convenient resource for safety professionals.

The database currently has 130 pictorials which are searchable by category and keyword. The pictorials are common to many industry segments and product lines, and cover hazard identification and avoidance.

The downloadable graphics files are in EPS and DXF formats that can be imported directly into or opened in a variety of graphics and computer aided design software packages. The EPS files were saved in Adobe Illustrator 7.0 and the DXF files were saved in AutoCad Version 13.

An AEM member task force continues to guide inclusion of additional product- and process-specific pictorials as they are identified and developed.

The service is available through the AEM website in the Technical section:
www.aem.org/Technical/PictorialDatabase/. AEM is planning additional translations of the database.