Safety Signs
ISO 7010 and ISO 3864 govern the international standards for safety signs. ISO 3864 specifies the shapes and colours of the various sign types – shown below – whilst ISO 7010 provides a standard set of pictograms to be used on safety signs.
Our safety sign catalogue is constantly changing to ensure our signs follow the most recent Government guidelines and legislation. For ease, our catalogue identifies the signs by their ISO 7010 pictogram.
Fire Action Signs
Fire action signs give location information and instructions on the use of fire fighting equipment. They have white text/ graphics on red background and may be supported by supplementary signs of other designs and colours.
Fire Exit Signs
Safe Procedure Signs provide information about safe conditions, escape routes and safe exit points.
Under British & European legislation all public and workplace buildings must display safe procedure (fire exit) signs. These must be square or oblong with a white symbol or symbol and text on a green background and may be supported by supplementary signs of the same design and colour.
Prohibition Signs
Prohibition signs ensure a safe and secure workplace, instructing staff and visitors of actions that must NOT be taken. The red signs are circular with a line through, with black graphics and may be supported by supplementary signs of the same design and colour.
First Aid Signs
First aid signs give location information and instructions on the use of first aid equipment. They have white text/ graphics on green background and may be supported by supplementary text or signs of other designs and colours.
Mandatory Signs
Mandatory signs carry instructions and indicate what you must do. They have white text/ graphics on blue background and may be supported by supplementary signs of the same design and colour.
Warning Signs
Warning signs instruct/warn staff and visitors of potential hazards. The signs contain symbols in black on a yellow triangular background with a black rounded border and black text on a yellow background. These may be supported by supplementary signs of the same design and colour.
Information Signs
Whilst there are no official standards for the information signs below, we follow widely recognised colour, size, shape and font conventions.
Site Safety Notice
Site Safety Notice – a mixture of warnings, prohibitions, mandatory and safety instructions as well as general information about a site, each item coloured appropriately.
Information Signs
Information signs are advisory signs which do not require any specific action. The signs can be any size or shape and there are no colour, font or graphics standards. The signs may be supported by supplementary text or signs of any design and colour.
Health & Safety Posters
The Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989, requires that employers display the HSE-approved law poster, or alternatively, provide each member of staff with the equivalent leaflet. The latest version of the poster was created in 2018, but both the 2018 and 2009 version are both still legal. If you are displaying a pre-2009 version in your office, this is no longer valid and should be replaced.
Covid-19 Signs
There are no official standards for Covid-19 signs although generally black text and graphics are used on a yellow background. Important information can be highlighted in a red box with white text. Social distancing signs are often blue to indicate mandatory.