Understanding Safety Signs: A Comprehensive Guide to Types, Meaning and Importance

Introduction.

Every day we encounter dozens of safety signs, yet many of us don’t fully understand their crucial messages. Are they decorations or do they communicate a message to us? First, lets understand how safety signs came into place.

Warning signs were among the first safety signs used by humans, this being evident by the warning signs that were carved into stone as early as 1686 in Lisbon, which were used to warn road users of horse-drawn vehicles backing up.

We have to admit it, as humans, we can be so ignorant on obvious things, sometimes we can get forgetful and our actions often lead to us causing danger to ourselves and others. That’s where safety signs come in handy as they serve to the purpose of prohibiting, warn, guiding and informing us of the actions we can or cannot do. The safety signs system being used today is made up of complex symbols, words and pictograms which communicate different messages to us, keeping us in a safe environment free from hazards at places of work, in public areas, at home and on our roads.

Understanding safety signs is a priority that falls on everyone’s shoulder, this means you are liable for your own safety and that of others. Why is this the case?

Our environment is full of dangers which can be fatal to us or to others around us. Safety signs serve the purpose of making us aware of potential danger that may result from our actions or that of others or guiding us when danger occurs. In some situations eg: emergency situations, we need quick response hence the need of understanding what message the safety signs convey. This maybe the location of emergency exits or where the fire extinguishers are located.

Ever heard of safety culture? Well safety signs serve to implement the safety culture in us. This helps us practice activities which will contribute to our safety and that of others. At work or at home, safety signs keep us productive as we are free of interruptions and fear of accidents.

This ultimately means that its crucial to have first hand knowledge on safety signs and what they mean.

What are safety signs?

Safety signs are signs placed at certain locations to warn us of potential hazards, provide mandatory and prohibited actions and provide guidance on exits and location of safety equipment.

They are found at our homes, eg electrical safety signs; at work places, eg slippery wet floor, hot steam; on our road; eg falling rocks, children crossing and even in public facilities such as hospital and hotels. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_sign

Safety signs are important, but may be irrelevant if they can’t be understood by everyone. That’s where the international standards and regulation boards came to play. These organizations such as ISO and OSHA ensure that the safety signs used have international understanding and meaning. This ensures that anyone around the world can understand the safety signs placed in any region they are in.

ISO is an acronym that for International Organization for Standardization. The ISO is a non-governmental body which has the mandate to develop and publish official standards which bring about safety and quality of products and services on an international level.

When it comes to safety signs, the ISO body gives out recommendation of symbols or pictograms which can be used internationally to communicate safety messages to people in one universal language.

ISO 7010 is an international body responsible for standardization of graphical hazard symbols on safety signs. It uses colors and principles provided by ISO 3864.Its main focus is providing safety information with use of pictograms rather than words. The ISO 7010 has categories which group safety signs. Let’s break it down.

“E” refers to Emergency which has signs showing safe conditions. ”F” refers to fire protection which may include fire safety signs. ”P” refers to prohibited actions like do not cross, do not touch. ”M” refers to mandatory signs which may include wear protective gear, keep left. ”W” refers to warning hazards signs which include sharp bend, slippery floor.

OSHA refers to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration which is an agency of the  United States responsible for regulating safety and health at work places.

OSHA assures safe and healthy conditions for working men and women which is achieved through enforced standards and training to workers and employers. This measures have ensured reduction of injuries rates and cost at workplaces.

Are they really effective? Yes, safety signs are effective at preventing accidents and inquires. A study revealed that the general compliance to safety signs was 69.22% with signs such as Eye protection required having the best and highest compliance rate.

Safety signs use three elements; shapes, colors and symbols or pictograms to communicate information effectively. Each of the elements serving a different purpose. It’s important to note that the shapes, colors and symbols on safety signs are all regulated by international bodies such as the ISO. Lets get and understanding of the basic principles used in safety signs.

• Shapes

The most common shapes on safety signs are circles, triangles, squares/rectangles and octagon shapes. These shapes serve different purposes as they either draw your attention like circular or triangular shapes or communicate instructions like squares and rectangles.

• Colors

Well, shapes alone won’t communicate the message, hence the need for colors. Safety signs incorporate different colors such as; red, green, blue and yellow. Each color has a meaning such as red which automatically gives you the “dos” and “don’ts”,while the yellow gives the warning chills.

• Symbols/Pictograms

These are the final parts of the safety signs, they have the main message. Each symbol having its own unique message like the flame showing possibility of a fire.

Psychology of safety signs

Imagine yourself cruising down the highway, 80km/h, but still you find yourself glancing at a safety sign on the road or you are busy at work but there’s that safety sign that pops up at the corner of your eye and you have to look at it. Often we find ourselves drawn to safety signs, taking a glance at them despite how busy we are.

This is normal since safety signs are designed with human psychology in mind to ensure it draws your full attention. But what psychology is this? how is it used? Remember the safety sign elements we talked about; colors, shapes and symbols? these is where they come into play.

• Attention and Perception

Safety signs make use of bright colors, distinctive symbols and shapes to capture the human attention. This makes the above elements stand out from the natural surrounding, a phenomenon known as “pop-out effect”. The human brain processes visual information faster than text, making symbols and colors a better option since they can be understood in milliseconds and help in quick response.

• Color Psychology

Colors play a vital role in terms of safety signs psychology as they have different triggers on our brains. The color red triggers alertness which brings about a sense of danger. Yellow serves as an activator to the caution centers in your brain. Enough with the triggers, green brings in a sense of calmness which brings in a feeling of safety. Blue creates a sense of authority and obligation to  a certain role duty.

• Memory and Recognition

As a human, you are likely to remember symbols better than words. This means that safety signs with symbols will serve you better as you will remember what they mean and have ease in performing the required instructions or orders they serve. Safety signs also have pattern matching, which means that once you see a symbol you will quickly remember it the next time you see it. Let’s not forget the stressful situations we find ourselves in where we need to quickly take action; safety signs use safety symbols which make it easy to process the communicated message when your mind is stressed, especially in emergency situations.

• Effectiveness Factors

For safety signs to be psychologically effective, they need to be:

1. Simple and easy to understand
2. Unique enough to capture attention

• Consistent in application to bring about recognition

1. Strategic meaning to invoke right response.

Pictogram of a flame                                        Yellow color coding to symbolize hazard

to show fire hazard

Triangular shape used

to symbolize hazard

Message panel providing

information the actual hazard

Anatomy of a labeled common safety sign                                                           

Color codes for safety signs

Well, shapes alone won’t communicate the message, that’s why we have different colors used on safety signs. As mentioned earlier, we have different color codes for safety sign, let’s dig deeper into the main colors and what they represent.

Red

When we see red, we get alert, we feel something is off and needs urgency or immediate action or attention. Safety signs which have the red color are linked to danger alerts and emergencies. They are crucial in cases that need immediate action. These safety signs are used to give a “stop” or “no” command. Take an example; of stop signs, fire safety equipment or emergency switches, they all have the red color which triggers the alertness of your brains and makes you want to take immediate action. The association of the red color with danger makes it suitable for communicating critical safety details or information in a quick and effective manner.

These signs prohibit us from doing certain actions such as no smoking. They are also common on fire safety equipment and emergency stops signs. The red color is usually inform of a red circle with a white background and black pictogram or symbol. The red color draws your attention and gives you the sense of urgency to the action stated by the pictogram. These signs are very common in various settings such as on the road or at home or even at work.

No Use Of Mobile Phone Sign            Fire Extinguisher Sign                                   Stop Sign

Fire Alarm Switch Sign                        No Smoking Sign                                     Speed Limit Sign

Collection of red safety signs

Yellow

The yellow color or sometimes orange color is often seen on safety signs with a triangular shape. You may feel that the signs is a bit weird and gives you some chills. Well that’s the purpose  that it serves. This is because the yellow color is used to indicate presence of a hazard in the area or specific location in that environment. These maybe at work, at home or at school or even on the road. The yellow color is used with a black boarder and a black pictogram or symbol. This ensures that the message is visible and well communicated. The yellow color trigger the human brain to be alert and prepared to avoid potential dangers.

These safety signs with the yellow color serve to warn people to be careful to avoid the risk of accidents of injury to themselves or others. Safety signs with the yellow color include: falling rocks, high voltage, flammable material, slippery floor and toxic or corrosive chemicals for lab hazard signs. They are placed before the hazard and not after the hazard.

Sharp Right Turn Warning Sign            Work In Progress Warning Sign        Falling Objects Warning Sign

Corrosive Chemical Warning Sign      Radioactivity Warning Sign        School Zone Speed Sign

Collection of yellow safety signs

Blue

The blue color which speaks authority is also used on safety signs. Reason for this? It’s because they communicate mandatory information to people. Let’s break it down and understand what this means. Just like we need traffic police to give us actions or supervisors to tell us what we should do, safety signs with the blue color serve the same purpose. They are called mandatory signs as they give you the actions that you must do to be safe or to keep others safe.

The mandatory signs with the blue color usually have a rectangular or square shape with a blue background and white pictogram or symbol. The blue color makes the safety sign unique from other safety signs and creates a feeling of authority an importance.

Such actions include: wear protective gear, switch off phone, keep left, observe speed limit and keep doors closed. These action are mandatory to avert risk of creating a hazard that can be a danger to you or others.

Safety Gloves Mandatory Sign      Disabled Persons Information Sign            Parking  Sign

Entry Informational Sign                      Bicycles Only  Sign                       Work Permit Sign

Collection of blue safety signs

Green

Green, a calm and reassuring color, a color that simply communicates a sense of safety. Yes, the green color is used on safety signs to used to communicate messages like which give or provide direction due to certain actions. These safety signs include: emergency exits, first aid kit location and route information on the road. The signs usually have a square or rectangular shape with a green background which has white pictogram or symbols.

The green color is used since it brings in a feeling of reassurance and safety especially during emergency situations. It majorly communicates “this way to safety”. The green color also offers a feeling of guidance and hence the use on roads to show route names and direction. Informatory traffic signs also use the green color to communicate traffic messages.

Exit Guide Sign                     Emergency Eye Wash Sign                            First Aid Kit Sign

Garbage Collection Sign                Emergency Assembly Point Sign          Public Footpath Sign

Collection of green safety signs

Common types of safety signs

According to the ISO 7010,there are categories of safety signs, based on the specific shape and color they have. These categories are: prohibitory signs, warning signs, mandatory signs and emergency signs.

Prohibitory signs

Whether at home, at work, on the road or even at school, we sometimes need a controlled environment for safety reasons which lead to some actions being prohibited. How is this achieved? Well we can’t have someone standing there all day telling us the dos and don’ts, hence the need for prohibitory safety signs.

Prohibitory safety signs are recognized by having a red circle  with a diagonal line cutting across a black symbol that’s on a white background. This design is there to ensure it attracts your attention and communicates the message clearly to you.

How effective are they? The secret lies on the simple universal design which makes it universally recognized, meaning that anyone around the world, despite of their location can be able to see and understand what the prohibitory safety sign means. This makes the sign effective in international and multicultural structures. The red circle calls for attraction and sign of danger, while the white background ensures the black pictogram or symbol stands out. The diagonal line crossing the pictogram means that the stated action is prohibited and cannot be done in that area or location.

In public spaces like bus stop or malls, you will often find  the “No Smoking sign” prohibiting smoking which may cause health risk to those around you. In some building you are likely to see a “No Entry sign” indicating that you cannot go beyond that point. In other places like private offices or supermarkets you may see a “No photography” safety sign which prohibits you from taking photos in that area or space.

Lets get more examples on prohibitory safety signs and what they mean.

Table of prohibitory signs and their meaning.

Warning Signs

Hazards cause injuries to us and to others, sometimes it’s a hazard from the environment you are in such as risk of electrical shock from naked wires or a hazard from the actions you perform such as leaving deep holes on the ground uncovered. That’s why we have warning signs which alert you of potential hazards that may arise from your actions or from the environment that we are in. Warning signs communicate to you the hazard signs and symbols to make you alert while in your environment.

Warning signs have a yellow triangle with a black boarder line and a symbol or pictogram depicting the potential hazard. Just like the prohibitory signs, warning signs have the unique design to ensure high visibility of the warning it communicates. The triangular shapes represents the hazard due to its pointy edges while the yellow background ensures that the hazard pictogram or symbol stands out.

Safety signs in this category include electrical danger sign to warn you of risk of being electrocuted. In the labs you may find the warning sign of toxic material which means you need to be careful while handling such material. You may also find a trip hazard which means the floor may be slippery and you may likely tip and fall.

The yellow and black color on warning safety signs triggers the human brain to take caution and proceed with care. Let’s take a look at some more warning safety signs and their meaning.

Table of warning signs and their meaning

Mandatory Signs

Safety protocols are very important. especially when working or being around others, meaning some necessary actions need to be taken. Remember back in 2020 when the Covid 19 pandemic had hit the entire world, it was mandatory to wear masks, clean hands and keep social distance. Some of this mandatory actions were communicated using safety signs either at work, school, home or on public transport. Those signs that communicate mandatory actions are what we call the mandatory safety signs.

Mandatory signs are featured with on a blue sign, either circular, rectangular or square and a white pictogram or symbol. The blue color is selected since it bring about authority while the white color is used on symbols since it will stand out and be visible. The color combination creates a sense of obligation without bringing about anxiety caused by warning and prohibitory signs.

In work places like in the laboratory they are used to indicate mandatory instructions like wearing of protective equipment. In offices or hospitals they ensure mandatory actions like keeping the door closed are followed. In food processing plant they ensure workers wash their hands or wear hairnets while working. On the road, they tell you which is the speed limit for you to follow or which lane you must use. By giving such mandatory actions it becomes easy to be safe and to keep others safe.

Here are some examples of mandatory safety signs.

Table of mandatory signs and their meaning

Emergency Signs

In emergency situations, we often find ourselves confused and anxious, with the need to evacuate or avoid contain the emergency. Often we may find ourselves alone in such situations or unfamiliar with our environment. This is where emergency safety signs come into play as they ensure we are aware of emergency facilities and evacuation or exit points.

These signs are designed with a green rectangle or square with white pictogram or symbol which makes it easily visible. While in emergency situations, you would want to see colors that will increase to your anxiety, hence the use of the green color to bring about a sense of safety and create an intuitive path to follow in emergency situations.

If working in a factory you may see an emergency sign showing the location of first aid equipment or if in a mall you will see a sign showing the exit routes to use incase if emergency. If you are a chef in a kitchen you are most likely to see the fire signage and the exit symbol next to it. Some buildings especially those that have many people working or living have emergency or fire assembly points where you can assemble incase of an emergency for further help.

Fun fact, did you know that emergency safety signs are usually positioned at eye level or a little high to ensure that even if the place is crowded they still remain effective? They also have special luminance to make them visible during power outages in emergency situations. Here are some more examples of safety signs.

Table of emergency signs and their meaning

Where you’ll encounter safety signs

Since we already know what safety signs are, what colors, symbols and shapes they use, its time we learn more about where you can encounter them in various setting.

• Public spaces

Safety signs in public spaces serve to guide and protect the large number of people who are there.

Shopping Centers have safety signs indicating emergency exits which help people evacuate during emergency situations such as during fires. They may also have prohibitory signs such as no smoking so as to create a safe environment for all who are there. They may also have warning signs to indicate hazards such as slippery floors to avoid accidents caused by slips.

Parks have safety signs which of take care of the visitors well-being since its an obligation of the park to do so. These signs may include no smoking signs to ensure all visitors are protected from harmful smoke or no photography since some visitors may want privacy. Warning signs are also present to warn of situations such as poisonous plants or animals that may be in the park. In case of emergency, there are emergency safety signs to ensure smooth and safe evacuation from the park or emergency numbers on safety signs to help in requesting for medical aid.

Public Transportation have safety signs which keep passengers safe and prevent accidents. They may have prohibitory signs such as no eating to ensure cleanliness and safety of those on board. They also have mandatory signs such as wear safety belt which ensures that passengers are safe incase and accident happens. In large public transport systems such as trains and ship, there are emergency safety signs which indicate where exits are or fire fighting equipment. Warning signs are also there such as mind the gap between the train and the platform.

• Workplace Settings

While at work, we get more productive when we feel safe, hence the need of safety signs to protect employees. This setting is particularly full of hazard warning symbols and prohibitory signs.

Factories are prone to accidents due to the presence of machines, sharp and pointed objects, chemicals and other hazardous materials or situations. Prohibitory signs such as no entry or no smoking keeps all employees safe from risk of accidents. Mandatory signs ensure that workers are safe by ensuring they wear safety protection while at work or keeping the workplace clean. Warning signs such as corrosive material or hot steam help to ensure that accidents are prevented. Emergency signs are also important to ensure safety during emergency situations such as explosions or fires.

Offices need to be safe and organized to ensure logical flow of work and safety for the workers. Emergency safety signs are important as they indicate location of emergency medical kits or fire extinguishers. Mandatory signs are also important such as keep door closed ensures that privacy is upheld. Warning signs such as slippery floor to keep persons from slipping or CCTV surveillance ensures that workers are aware that they are being monitored and won’t sue the organization.

Construction Sites are areas with high risk of accidents and injuries from falling objects to machinery hazards. Prohibitory signs such as no entry without authorization ensures workers do not get to risky areas that may lead to their injuries. Mandatory signs ensure that workers observe certain protocols such as wearing helmets. Warning signs such as objects falling keep workers safe and out of certain zones while emergency signs ensure that worker know where emergency aid kits are or how to evacuate the area.

• Educational Institutions

In a setting where we have students, staff and visitors its essential to ensure that the safety of all persons is protected and taken care of.

Schools need to have a systematic flow of activities to provide an ambient environment  for students and teachers. Warning signs ensure students and teachers don’t slip on wet floors while emergency signs indicate where emergency kits are located or where the exits are. Prohibitory signs ensure that school rules are adhered to such as no running in the corridors or no food in library.

Laboratories serve to educate but can be fatal if rules and safety are not applied. Mandatory signs such as wear gloves or wear lab coats keep students and teachers safe in the labs while prohibitory signs such as no eating allowed or no drinking or tasting of chemicals keeps students safe. Warning signs help to avoid dangers of laboratory hazards such as corrosive chemicals or poisonous fumes. Emergency signs help to give safe condition during emergency such as eyewash stations.

Sports Facilities keep athletes in check and offer them training grounds. It essential to keep them safe using safety signs such as warning signs to keep them aware of situations such as slippery floors due to sweat or water spilled. Mandatory signs such as wear protective gear ensures athletes are safe during training. Prohibitory signs such as no using phone during workouts ensures that athletes are not distracted.

By having these signs placed while following the ISO 7010 standards, safety information will be well communicated and keep everyone safe in there different environment and setting.

Safety signs in different settings

Understanding safety sign compliance

Safety signs are vital guides as they communicate vital information which ensure safety and ease of navigation or working in different environments. But the questions is, what makes a safety sign to be legal? What guidelines are used when it comes to its placement? How should they be maintained and inspected? Let’s break it down and make it simple to understand the compliance of safety signs.

Legal requirements

A safety sign needs to be standard by having the basic components which are: the right color, right symbol or pictogram and right shape of the signage. These basic components should communicate the right information clearly and not alter the message in any way. This means that they should meet the requirements outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 2007, The Factories and Other Places of Work (Safety and Health Committees) Rules, Environmental Management and Coordination Act and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) guidelines. Some of the legal requirements from the above agencies include:

1. Mandatory Implementation: Employers are to ensure that safety signs have been installed where danger or hazard leading to accidents can occur. This signs must be visible and communicate the right message. In case of short term hazards like construction or maintenance, temporary safety signs should be used.
2. Compliance Standards: Safety signs being used should not only be understood but also comply with the international standards, ISO 7010.The signs should also be inspected regularly so that they remain visible and serve their purpose. Old, damaged and faded safety signs should be replaced as soon as possible.

• Worker Education: Employers are obligated to ensure that employees have training on the meaning and interpretation of safety signs. The training records should be kept and updated of new safety signs are installed. It’s also required to offer new employees safety sign training during their orientation.

1. Documentation Requirements: The exact installation of safety signs should be put in record and documented in the records of workplace safety plans. These records should always be updated and ready for inspection from the safety officers.
2. Enforcement: Labor inspection officers are to issue notices of improvement in cases of poor signage. Serious cases are can lead to fines or closure of the place until proper safety signs are installed.

Proper placement guideline

Now that we understand the legal requirements on safety signs, we need to understand on the placement guidelines which will make them effective.

Safety signs should meet the following guidelines when it comes to their installation.

1. Viewing Distance Requirements

• The height of the text for every meter of viewing distance should be at least 5mm.
• Symbols to be larger than the text but to be sized in a standard proportion.
• Emergency evacuation signs to be larger in size for easy when emergencies occurs.

1. Positioning for Maximum Effectiveness

• Safety signs to be placed perpendicular to the line of sight where possible.
• Warning signs to be placed before the hazard, not after the hazard.
• For hazards with different approach methods, use multiple signs to show the hazard and how to approach it safely.
• Position signs at the points where a person is likely to make a decision such as: junctions, doors and stairs.

1. Environmental Considerations

• Signs placed outdoor should be resistant to weather damage.
• Signs in places with dust to be cleaned regularly to keep them visible.
• Use corrosion resistant material for signs in areas with chemical exposure to ensure durability.
• Use artificial lighting on signs in  places with low-light to ensure the signs are illuminated.

1. Special Circumstances

• Temporary hazards to have mobile or portable signage which moves along with the hazard.
• Special or tactile warning signs should be installed for persons with visual impairment.
• Visual signals to be used along with audible alarms in noisy or sound polluted environments.

Maintenance and Inspection

• Signs should be mounted securely to prevent displacement
• Placement should allow for periodic cleaning and inspection
• Signs must not be obscured by other objects, equipment, or inventory
• Ensure emergency signs have backup power or are self-illuminating

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) on Safety Signs

What makes a safety sign legally compliant?

A safety sign that is legally complain should make use of clear pictograms and symbols that have been credited by international standards such as ISO 7010.The safety signs should communicate safety information effectively, be well visible and easy readable. The signs must also be placed in appropriate locations in compliance with relevant legal regulations which ensures that the safety signs are functional and legal.

Conclusion

Importance of understanding Safety Signs

Understanding safety signs is less of an academic task but more of a crucial life skill which will keep you and others around you safe. These visual communication aids serve as silent guardians in our day to day lives by warning us of hazards, prohibiting us from doing certain actions, mandating us to do certain actions and providing us with safety guidance during emergencies.

When properly understood and followed, they ensure that accidents and injuries at work, home, school or on the road are prevented. This is because they easily grab your attention and communicate to you critical information in a clear way even when you are in panic or anxious.

Take a minute and observe the safety signs around you, the shapes and colors and symbols they contain. Understand what they mean. Such information may come in handy and a save a life, even your own life. Safety is your responsibility, safety is everyone’s responsibility. It doesn’t cost anything to follow the guidelines on safety signs.

Be informed and stay safe.