The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations specify minimum
requirements for the provision of safety signs at work.
The Regulations standardise safety signs throughout the
European Union, so that wherever a particular safety sign
is seen it provides the same message.
The Regulations require employers to use a safety sign
where there is a significant risk to health and safety
that has not been avoided or controlled by other methods,
provided use of a sign can help reduce the risk.
The Regulations apply to all workplaces and all activities
where people are employed.
Road traffic signs should be provided in workplaces, where
necessary, to regulate road traffic.
Employers’ Duties
The principal duty of employers is to provide safety signs
for their employees, where necessary.
Employers do not have a duty to provide signs to people who
are not their employees (eg visitors or neighbours).
The Regulations do not apply to the self-employed.
Safety signs are needed where a residual risk remains after
other control measures have been taken as identified by the
risk assessment.
If the residual risk is not significant, there is no need to
provide a sign.
Employers should ensure that employees understand the safety
signs used in their workplace, and the consequences of not
following the warning or instruction given by the sign.
What is a Safety Sign ?
A safety sign is a sign providing information or instruction
about safety or health at work by means of a signboard, a
colour, an illuminated sign, an acoustic signal, a verbal
communication or a hand signal.
A fire safety sign is a sign (including an illuminated sign
or an acoustic signal) which:
provides information on escape routes and emergency exits in case of fire
provides information on the identification or location
of fire-fighting equipment
gives warning in case of fire.
Using Safety Signs
Signboards should be sufficiently large and clear to be easily seen
as well as durable, securely fastened and properly maintained.
Avoid using too many signboards in close proximity. If a hazard no
longer exists, remove the signboard.
It is acceptable to design your own signboard, providing it conforms
to the regulations. Pictograms should be as simple as possible.
Supplement a safety sign with text to aid understanding. Any
supplementary sign or text used with a safety sign should reflect
the same safety sign category.
For safety signs generally (not fire safety signs):
Red indicates a prohibition sign or danger alarm.
Yellow or amber indicates a warning sign.
Blue indicates a mandatory sign.
Green indicates an emergency escape/first-aid sign.
Safety Signs
Prohibition signs are round, with a black pictogram on a
white background, red edging and a red diagonal line.
Warning signs are triangular, with a black pictogram on
a yellow background and black edging.
Mandatory signs are round, with a white pictogram on a blue background.
Emergency escape and first-aid signs are rectangular or
square, with a white pictogram on a green background.
Fire-fighting signs are rectangular or square, with a
white pictogram on a red background.
Fire Safety Signs
A fire safety sign is a sign (including an illuminated sign or an
acoustic signal) which:
provides information on escape routes and emergency
exits in case of fire
provides information on the identification or location
of fire-fighting equipment
gives warning in case of fire.
For fire safety signs, red is used to indicate the location and
identification of fire-fighting equipment. Green is used to
indicate emergency doors, exits and escape routes.
All emergency escape or fire exit signs must contain a pictogram
such as a running man.
A fire safety sign which bears only text is not acceptable on its
own. Similarly, a directional arrow is not acceptable on its own.
Where fire fighting equipment is placed in a position hidden
from direct view, its position should be indicated using
appropriate directional arrows together with the relevant
fire-fighting equipment sign.
The acoustic signal for a fire alarm must:
have a sound level considerably higher
than the level of ambient noise
be easily recognisable and distinct
from other acoustic signals
be continuous for evacuation.
Other Signs & Signals
Signs on containers or pipes should be placed where employees are
most likely to be exposed to the contents.
Areas or rooms containing significant quantities of dangerous
substances should be marked by suitable warning signs, unless the
warning labels on individual containers are clearly visible.
Places where there is a risk of collision, or of falling or being
struck by falling objects should, where necessary, be marked with
alternating yellow and black, or red and white, stripes.
Traffic routes within workplaces which pose a hazard to workers
should be marked with continuous lines, preferably yellow or white.
Illuminated signs should be bright enough to be seen, without
causing glare, and should not be used together if this could cause confusion.
Acoustic signals need to be set at a level which is considerably
higher than the level of ambient noise. However, the level should
be neither excessive nor painful.
Hand signals used to direct hazardous operations should be precise,
simple, easy to make and understand and be clearly distinct from
other such signals.
Verbal signals used to direct hazardous operations should be simple
and clear, and be given by either human or artificial voice and
either directly or recorded.
