Safety Signs, Symbols and Colour Codes – a simple guide

A safety and/or health sign is ‘information or instruction about health and safety at work on a signboard, a colour, an illuminated sign or acoustic signal, a verbal communication or hand signal.’  These terms are all detailed in guidance to the regulations.


Colour

	Meaning or Purpose	Instruction & Information	Intrinsic Features	Example
RED	Prohibition/Danger alarm	Dangerous behaviour; stop; shutdown; emergency cut-out devices; evacuate	Round shape; black pictogram on white background; red edging and diagonal line; red part to be at least 35% of the area of the sign
YELLOW or AMBER	Warning	Be careful; take precautions; examine	Triangular shape; black pictogram on yellow background with black edging; yellow part to be at least 50% of the area of the sign
BLUE	Mandatory	Specific behaviour or action e.g. wear personal protective equipment	Round shape; white pictogram on blue background; blue part to be at least 50% of the area of the sign
GREEN	Emergency escape; first aid. No danger	Doors; exits; escape routes equipment and facilities Return to normal	Rectangular or square shape; white pictogram on green background; green part to be at least 50% of the area of the sign
RED (fire-fighting signs)	Fire fighting equipment	Identification & location	Rectangular or square shape; white pictogram on red background; red part to be at least 50% of the area of the sign