subject: Health and Safety Signs - Keeping up with the legislation [print this page] Health and Safety Signs - Keeping up with the legislation
Under the UK and European Health and Safety legislation employers have a legal duty to comply with the requirements to display safety signage in the workplace.
This article provides an overview of the different types of safety signs and their meanings.
Prohibition Safety Signs
Shape and colour: Red circle with diagonal line
Meaning: You must NOT / Do NOT do / STOP
Examples: No cycling, No fishing, Do Not Use Mobile Phones
Black graphical symbols added inside the circle
Supplementary text may be added to provide a clearer message to the reader
Mandatory Safety Signs
Shape and colour: Solid blue circle
Meaning: You MUST do / Carry out action displayed on the sign
Examples: Clean up spillages, Keep locked, Wear safety harness
EC approved white symbols added inside the circle
Supplementary text may be added, if necessary, to provide a clearer message
Fire Safety Signs
Shape and colour: Sold red rectangle or square
Meaning: Locates fire equipment or personnel
Examples: Fire hose keep clear, Fire Alarm, Fire Point
White text and symbols on a red background
Supplementary text may be added, if necessary, to provide a clearer message
Safe Condition Safety Signs
Shape and colour: Solid green rectangle or square
Meaning: The safe way / Where to go in an emergency
Examples: Refuge point keep clear, Fire exit, Emergency evacuation lift
EC approved white symbols added inside shape
Supplementary text may be added, if necessary, to provide a clearer message
Note: "Text Only" signs are no longer legal. To comply with UK and European Health and Safety legislation safe condition signs must now contain a symbol.
Hazard Identification Safety Signs
Shape and colour: Yellow Triangle with Black Border
Meaning: Potential hazard within a designated area / Caution / Risk of Danger / Hazard ahead
Examples: Refuge point keep clear, Fire exit, Emergency evacuation lift
EC approved black graphical symbols added inside triangle
Supplementary text may be added, if necessary, to provide a clearer message
The hazard signs fall into 3 further categories: Danger Signs, Warning Signs and Caution Signs.
Danger signs indicate an immediately hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. Danger signs are, therefore, the most extreme form of hazard sign.
Warning signs indicate an immediately hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Caution signs indicate an immediately hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
