Safety Sign Legislation Guide
ISO 7010 and ISO 3864 govern the shapes, colours and graphics required by law on safety signs, but which signs do you need? Our safety sign legislation guide covers different areas of the building/ site and describes which signs you need.
What Safe Procedure Sign Legislation/Guidelines Exist?
- ISO 7010 (formerly British Standard BS 5499) governs the graphical symbols and geometric shapes used on safety signs. All our signs comply with these regulations. Click for British Standards Institute
- The Government’s Health and Safety Executive provides complete details of all Health and Safety related legislation. Click here for HSE
Recommended Height for Installation:
Above doors:- 2.0m to 2.5m from floor level to bottom of sign.
Wall Mounted:- 2.0m to 2.5m from floor level to bottom of sign.
Please check all Signs Acts:
- BUILDING REGULATIONS 1999 – FIRE DOORS
- EN ISO 7010 – SAFETY SIGN GRAPHICS
- FIRE PRECAUTIONS (WORKPLACE) REGULATIONS 1997 – FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
- HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK ACT 1989 – THE HEALTH AND SAFETY POSTER
- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1992
- NO SMOKING LEGISLATION 2007
- SAFE PROCEDURE/ FIRE EXIT SIGNS
- THE TRAFFIC SIGNS REGULATIONS AND GENERAL DIRECTIONS 2002
Building Regulations 1999 – Fire Doors
To comply with The Building Regulations 1991 fire resistant doors must display appropriate safety signs such as ‘Fire Door Keep Shut.’ We supply self adhesive eco vinyl and semi-rigid eco plastic signs as well as other safety action signs in different materials to suit your requirements.
EN ISO 7010 – Safety Sign Graphics
EN ISO 7010 is a European wide standard which dictates standard colours, graphics and shapes on safety signs in the UK and across the EU. The standard is language independent and ensures that signs can be understood irrespective of language. ISO 7010 replaces the previous BS4599 standard.
ISO 7010 specifies the combinations of shape and colour (colours defined as per standard ISO 3864):
- Prohibition signs – Red circle with diagonal line. Sign Codes P001 to P034* (excluding P009 and P016)
- Mandatory signs – Blue circle. Sign Codes M001 to M026 and M055
- Warning signs – Yellow equilateral triangle with rounded corners. Sign Codes W001 to W067
- Safe Procedure sign – Green square or rectangular. Sign Codes E001 to E019
- Fire Safety sign – Red square. Sign Codes F001 to F006
For ease, our catalogue identifies the signs by their ISO 7010 pictogram.
Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 – Fire Fighting Equipment
Fire Precautions Legislation
To comply with the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 all non-automatic fire fighting equipment must be indicated by signs. This Act is owned and legislated by the Department of Health
Health & Safety at Work Act 1989 – The Health and Safety Poster
The Government’s Health and Safety Executive owns and enforces Health and Safety related legislation. Click here for HSE. Legislation covering all aspects of Health and Safety at Work can be found at the Direct Gov website. Click here to access. Legislation in Northern Ireland differs slightly from that of mainland Britain. Click here for The Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland.
You are required to prominently display the HSE’s Health & Safety Poster and include the following details on the poster:
- Employee Representative(s)
- Management Representative
- Enforcing Authority
No Smoking Legislation 2007
Since July 2007, it is now required by law that No Smoking are displayed in a prominent position at every entrance to smokefree premises.
Signs must:
- be a minimum of A5 in area (210mm x 148mm)
- display the International No Smoking symbol at least 70mm in diameter
- carry the following words in characters that can be easily read:
‘No smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises’.
Smokefree vehicles also need to display a No Smoking sign in each compartment of the vehicle in which people can be carried. This must show the international No Smoking symbol at least 70mm in diameter.
For further information, see The Office of Public Sector Information
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) means all equipment (including clothing giving protection against the weather) which is worn or held to protect against risks to health or safety.
It is a legal responsibility for Employers to ensure that suitable PPE is provided to employees exposed to a risk to their health or safety. It includes high visibility clothing for those working roadside and waterproof clothing for those working outdoors as well as protective clothing such as gloves and safety goggles. Employers must ensure that the PPE is maintained in efficient working order and in good repair.
The primary legislation governing PPE at work is the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992. See OPSI for further information.
Our PPE Signs assist employers in reminding employees about the PPE required for specific work areas.
Safe Procedure/ Fire Exit Signs
Under British and European legislation, all safe procedure signs must be square or oblong with a white symbol or symbol and text on a green background. These may be supported by supplementary signs of the same design and colour.
What Safe Procedure Signs Should I Use?
Safe procedure signs should be situated as to indicate exit routes. At least one sign should be visible from any place within the building.
British standard style signs have symbols and text; European standard styles have just symbols. It is advised not to mix the two styles.
To avoid confusion, it is also advisable to have “final exit” signs at external exit points. These should have a running man symbol and text, but no arrow.
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002
Traffic Signs – The Law
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TRSGD) issued in 2002 prescribe the design and condition of use for traffic signs to be lawfully placed on or near roads in England, Scotland and Wales.
All our signs comply with these directions.
Traffic Sign laws owned and administered by the Department of Transport can be found here.
