Safety signals provide essential information to ensure worker safety. There are four main types: signboards using shapes, colors and symbols; light signals that use different colored lights; audible signals that use sound-based codes; and hand signals for controlling machinery. Signboards are classified by their meaning into prohibition, mandatory, cautionary, directional, and first aid signs. Colors and shapes correlate to specific instructions, like red symbols indicating prohibition or danger, while blue, green and yellow represent mandatory actions, emergency exits, and warnings. Together, these standardized safety signals clearly communicate important safety guidelines and instructions across languages.

1. SAFETY SIGNALSSAFETY SIGNALS
1

2. Classification:Classification:
Signboards:Signboards: They are made up geometrical
shapes, colours and symbols or pictograms.
Each combination conveys a specific meaning
to the signal
Light signalsLight signals: they are made of transparent
or translucent material, which emit white, red
or green light from inside or from a back device
Audible signals:Audible signals: these are part of a code and
emitted by means of audible or acoustic devices
Hand signals:Hand signals: this is a standard code of hand
and arms movements used to guide workers to
control hoisting operations and warn of
hazards 2

3. SIGNBOARDSSIGNBOARDS
 According to its meaning they areAccording to its meaning they are
classified into:classified into:
Prohibition signsProhibition signs: They prohibit certain types of
behaviour which could lead to dangerous situations.
Mandatory sings;Mandatory sings; These signs remind employees and
visitors of the rules they must follow when entering, or
working in specific environments.
Cautionary signsCautionary signs: Clearly display areas where caution
is required.
Directional signsDirectional signs: They provide information about a
wide range of situations as for instance fire fighting.
First aid signsFirst aid signs: Clearly show the location of first aid
facilities.
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4. 4
Colour Meaning or
Purpose
Shape Instruction and
Information
Red Prohibition Square or
oblong
Dangerous
behaviour
Danger Alarm stop; shutdown;
emergency cut-out
devices; evacuate
Fire-fighting
equipment
Identification and
location
Yellow or
Amber
Warning triangular Be careful; take
precautions; examine
Blue Mandatory Square or
oblong
Specific behaviour or
action, e.g. wear
personal protective
equipment
Green Emergency
escape; first aid
Square or
oblong
Doors; exits; escape
routes equipment
No danger Return to normal

5. 5
Meaning Safety sign
Colour
Pictogram colour Background
colour
Prohibition Red Black
White
Mandatory Blue White White
Warning Yellow or amber Black Black
Emergency
escape and
first aid
Green White White
Information Red White White

6. 6
Prohibition signsProhibition signs
No smoking Smoking and naked
flames prohibited
No admittance sign
No unauthorised
persons
Not drinking water Fork lift truck
prohibited
Do not extinguish
with water
Do not touch

7. 7
SECURITY AND MANDATORY SIGNSSECURITY AND MANDATORY SIGNS
Head protection must be
worn in this area
Eye protection must be
worn
Ear protection must be
worn
Respirators must be worn Safety boots must be worn Hand protection must be worn
Wear face shield Pedestrians use this route Safety harness must be
worn
General mandatory sign Wear protective clothing

8. WARNING SIGNBOARDSWARNING SIGNBOARDS
8
Flammable materials Explosive
materials
Hazardous substance Radiation area
Caution biological
hazard
High voltage Caution overhead load Danger
Harmful chemicals Non Ionising
radiation
Watch out forklift
operating area
Caution magnetic
field
Extreme cold Mind the step Caution laser hazard Trip hazard

9. 9
FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY SIGNS
Emergency exit sign First aid shower Emergency eye wash
Exit sign First aid sign Emergency telephone
Emergency stretcher sign Emergency exit sign
Direction to be followed
Emergency exit sign
Direction to be followed
Emergency exit sign
Direction to be followed
Emergency exit sign
Direction to be followed
Emergency exit

10. 10
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SIGNS
Fire extinguisher Fire phone Fire extinguisher with trolley
Fire ladder Fire alarm call point Fire horse reel
Fire escape
Direction to be followed
Fire escape
Direction to be followed
Fire escape
Direction to be followed
Fire escape
Direction to be followed
Fire escape
Direction to be followed
Fire escape
Direction to be followed