The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

PART IIMinimum general requirements concerning signboards

1.    Intrinsic features

1.1. The shape and colours of signboards are set out in paragraph 3, in accordance with their specific object (signboards indicating a prohibition, a warning, a mandatory action, an escape route, an emergency or fire-fighting equipment).

1.2. Pictograms must be as simple as possible and should contain only essential details.

1.3. The pictograms used may be slightly different from or more detailed than those shown in paragraph 3, provided that they convey the same meaning and that no difference or adaptation obscures the meaning.

1.4. Signboards are to be made of shock and weather-resistant material suitable for the surrounding environment.

1.5. The dimensions and colorimetric and photometric features of signboards must be such that they can be easily seen and understood.

2.    Conditions of use

2.1. Signboards are in principle to be installed at a suitable height and in a position appropriate to the line of sight, taking account of any obstacles, either at the access point to an area in the case of a general hazard, or in the immediate vicinity of a specific hazard or object and in a well-lit and easily accessible and visible location.

• Without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 89/654/EEC, phosphorescent colours, reflective materials or artificial lighting should be used where the level of natural light is poor.

2.2. The signboard must be removed when the situation to which it refers ceases to exist.

3.    Signboards to be used

3.1. Prohibitory signs

• Intrinsic features:

  • round shape

  • black pictogram on white background, red edging and diagonal line (the red part to take up at least 35% of the area of the sign).

• Signs to be used:

• No smoking

  

• Smoking and naked flames forbidden

  

• No access for pedestrians

  

• Do not extinguish with water

  

• Not drinkable

  

• No access for unauthorised persons

  

• No access for industrial vehicles

  

• Do not touch

  

3.2. Warning signs

• Intrinsic features:

  • triangular shape

  • black pictogram on a yellow background with black edging (the yellow part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

• Flammable material or high temperature(1)

  

• Explosive material

  

• Toxic material

  

• Corrosive material

  

• Radioactive material

  

• Overhead load

  

• Industrial vehicles

  

• Danger: electricity

  

• General danger

  

• Laser beam

  

• Oxidant material

  

• Non-ionizing radiation

  

• Strong magnetic field

  

• Obstacles

  

• Drop

  

• Biological risk(2)

  

• Low temperature

  

• Harmful or irritant material(3)

  

3.3. Mandatory signs

• Intrinsic features:

  • round shape

  • white pictogram on a blue background (the blue part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

• Eye protection must be worn

  

• Safety helmet must be worn

  

• Ear protection must be worn

  

• Respiratory equipment must be worn

  

• Safety boots must be worn

  

• Safety gloves must be worn

  

• Safety overalls must be worn

  

• Face protection must be worn

  

• Safety harness must be worn

  

• Pedestrians must use this route

  

• General mandatory sign (to be accompanied where necessary by another sign)

  

3.4. Emergency escape or first-aid signs

• Intrinsic features:

  • rectangular or square shape

  • white pictogram on a green background (the green part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

• Emergency exit/escape route

  

• This way (supplementary information sign)

  

• First-aid post

  

• Stretcher

  

• Safety shower

  

• Eyewash

  

• Emergency telephone for first-aid or escape

  

3.5. Fire-fighting signs

• Intrinsic features:

  • rectangular or square shape

  • white pictogram on a red background (the red part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

• Fire hose

  

• Ladder

  

• Fire extinguisher

  

• Emergency fire telephone

  

• This way (supplementary information sign