Safety Signs
ISO 7010 safety signs: prohibition, mandatory, warning, safe condition, fire equipment, and GHS hazard symbols.
Sign Categories Overview
Safety signs comply with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 and ISO 7010. Understanding sign types by their shape and colour is essential for the ECS assessment.
| Category | Shape | Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibition | Circle with diagonal line | Red circle, white background | Must NOT do (e.g., No Smoking) |
| Mandatory | Solid circle | Blue circle, white pictogram | MUST do (e.g., Wear Hard Hat) |
| Warning | Triangle | Yellow triangle, black border/pictogram | Caution / Hazard ahead |
| Safe Condition / Emergency | Rectangle or square | Green rectangle, white pictogram | Safe direction / first aid / emergency |
| Fire Equipment | Rectangle or square | Red rectangle, white pictogram | Fire fighting equipment location |
| GHS Hazard | Diamond (rotated square) | Red diamond border, white background | Chemical / substance hazard (found on SDS and labels) |
Prohibition Signs
Red circle with a diagonal cross-bar on a white background. These signs tell you something you must not do.
Mandatory Signs
Blue solid circle with a white pictogram. These signs tell you something you must do.
Warning Signs
Yellow triangle with a black border and pictogram. These signs warn you of a hazard or danger.
Safe Condition / Emergency Signs
Green rectangle with a white pictogram. These signs indicate escape routes, first aid, and emergency facilities.
Fire Equipment Signs
Red rectangle with a white pictogram. These signs indicate the location of fire fighting equipment.
GHS Hazard Symbols
Red diamond border on a white background. The Globally Harmonised System (GHS) symbols appear on chemical containers and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). They replaced the older orange CHIP symbols.
Key Points for the ECS Assessment
- Colour = meaning: Red = prohibition/fire, Blue = mandatory, Yellow = warning, Green = safe condition.
- Shape matters: Circle = prohibition/mandatory, Triangle = warning, Rectangle = information (safe condition or fire).
- Prohibition signs have a diagonal cross-bar; mandatory signs are solid filled.
- Fire equipment signs are red rectangles (not circles).
- GHS symbols use a red diamond shape and appear on chemical labels and SDS.
- Safety signs must be maintained and kept visible at all times.
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