Safety Sign Symbols and What They Mean
Every safety sign symbol in the UK follows BS EN ISO 7010, which fixes the picture, colour and shape so a sign means the same thing to everyone, whatever language they speak. The colour tells you the type of message before you even read the symbol. Here are the most common symbols grouped by colour.
Red: prohibition and fire
A red circle with a bar means do not do something: no smoking, no unauthorised access, do not touch. A red square marks fire equipment: fire extinguisher and fire alarm call point. See all prohibition and fire signs.
Yellow: warning
A yellow triangle warns of a hazard: electricity, a slippery or wet floor, forklift trucks and flammable material. See all warning signs.
Blue: mandatory
A blue circle tells you what you must do, usually wear protection: head, eye, ear, foot and hand protection, or hi vis. See all mandatory signs.
Green: safe condition
A green square points the way to safety: the fire exit running man, first aid and the assembly point. See all safe condition signs.
For the full picture of how the colours and shapes fit together, read safety sign colours and meanings.
More guides
- Safety Sign Colours and Meanings: The Five Types Explained
- Fire Safety Signs: A Plain Guide to UK Requirements
- Photoluminescent Safety Signs: When You Need Glow in the Dark
- Safety Sign Materials Compared: Vinyl, Rigid, Foamex, Aluminium, Glow and Reflective
- Construction Site Signage: What You Need on Site
- What Size Safety Sign Do I Need?