What are safety signs called?

Safety signs are officially known as safety signage, safety symbols, or hazard communication signs, depending on the context and industry. In maritime environments, they’re called IMO signs or SOLAS safety signs, whilst industrial settings use terms like industrial safety markings or process safety signs. These visual communication tools warn of hazards, indicate mandatory actions, and guide people to safety during emergencies.

What are safety signs officially called in different industries?

The terminology for safety signs varies significantly across industries, though they all serve the same fundamental purpose of protecting people and communicating hazards. In professional contexts, you’ll hear them referred to as safety signage, safety markings, safety symbols, or hazard communication signs. Each term emphasizes a slightly different aspect of how these visual tools function in the workplace.

In the maritime industry, safety signs have very specific names tied to international regulations. IMO signs refer to safety signage approved by the International Maritime Organization, designed specifically for ships, ferries, and offshore platforms. These signs must comply with IMO Resolution A.1116(30), which ensures consistent safety communication across vessels worldwide. SOLAS safety signs are another maritime term, referring to signage that meets the Safety of Life at Sea convention requirements.

Industrial and construction sectors typically use broader terminology. You’ll encounter terms like industrial safety markings, which encompass everything from warning signs to equipment labels. Process safety signs specifically identify hazards related to industrial processes, whilst hazard communication signs focus on chemical dangers and material handling risks. Manufacturing facilities often use the term safety symbols when referring to the pictograms that transcend language barriers.

The formal terminology matters because it signals compliance with specific standards and regulations. When we discuss IMO signage systems with shipbuilders, they understand we’re providing internationally standardized solutions that meet maritime safety requirements. The professional language ensures everyone in the safety chain speaks the same language, quite literally.

What are the main types of safety signs and what do they mean?

Safety signs fall into five primary categories, each distinguished by colour, shape, and purpose. Warning signs use yellow triangles to alert you to potential hazards like slippery floors or electrical dangers. Prohibition signs feature red circles with diagonal lines, indicating actions you must not take. Mandatory signs appear as blue circles, showing required actions such as wearing protective equipment. Emergency escape signs use green backgrounds to guide people to safety, whilst fire safety signs identify firefighting equipment and emergency procedures.

Warning signs serve as your first line of defence against workplace hazards. The yellow triangle immediately catches attention and signals caution. These signs don’t prohibit or mandate specific actions, but rather alert you to be aware and take appropriate precautions. You’ll see them indicating everything from overhead loads to toxic materials.

Prohibition signs are unambiguous in their message. The red circle with a diagonal line universally means “don’t do this.” Whether it’s no smoking, no entry, or no photography, these signs prevent actions that could create dangerous situations. Their stark design ensures the message is clear even from a distance or in poor visibility conditions.

Mandatory signs require specific actions for safety. The blue circular background distinguishes them from other sign types. These tell you what you must do, such as wearing safety goggles, using handrails, or keeping doors closed. In maritime environments, mandatory signs might indicate where life jackets must be worn or when hearing protection is required.

Emergency escape and fire safety signs use green because it’s associated with safety and “go.” These signs must be visible even in smoke-filled environments, which is why many use photoluminescent materials that glow in darkness. We manufacture photoluminescent signs that charge from ambient light and provide visibility for hours during power failures. Electrically powered safety signs, particularly LED-based systems, offer even more reliable guidance in critical escape routes, maintaining visibility regardless of lighting conditions.

How are safety signs standardized across different countries?

International safety sign standards ensure consistent hazard communication regardless of location or language. ISO 7010 provides globally recognized safety symbols, whilst ISO 24409-2 specifically addresses maritime safety signs. IMO Resolution A.1116(30) mandates that all maritime safety signage follows these ISO standards, creating uniformity across the shipping industry. Regional standards like PSK 0903 in Finland complement international requirements whilst addressing local needs.

Standardization matters tremendously for global operations. When a Filipino crew member joins a Norwegian vessel, or when maintenance workers from different countries service an offshore platform, they need to understand safety information immediately. Standardized symbols transcend language barriers because a flame symbol means fire hazard whether you speak English, Mandarin, or Arabic. The shapes and colours carry meaning independent of text.

The ISO standards development process involves safety experts from numerous countries, ensuring the symbols are culturally neutral and universally comprehensible. ISO 7010, for instance, has been adopted across Europe and increasingly worldwide. This means the same emergency exit symbol guides people to safety in Helsinki, Hamburg, or Hong Kong. For maritime operations, IMO Resolution A.1116(30) specifically requires compliance with ISO 7010 and ISO 24409-2, ensuring every vessel uses identical safety signage.

Regional standards like PSK 0903 in Finland address specific national requirements whilst maintaining compatibility with international systems. These standards might specify additional information like text requirements in local languages or particular installation methods suited to regional conditions. We’ve worked with PSK 0903 standards extensively, and they complement rather than contradict ISO requirements, providing an additional layer of clarity for local operations.

Standardization also simplifies compliance for multinational operations. When your safety signage meets ISO and IMO standards, you’re compliant in virtually every port and jurisdiction worldwide. This eliminates the need to change signage when vessels move between regions or when international inspectors come aboard. Our New Generation IMO signs meet these international standards whilst exceeding basic requirements, being manufactured from PVC-free and halogen-free materials that are environmentally responsible.

What’s the difference between safety signs and safety markings?

Safety signs are discrete informational panels mounted on walls or structures, displaying specific safety messages through symbols and text. Safety markings are applied indicators like painted floor lines, pipe colour coding, or directional arrows that guide movement and identify systems. Signs deliver specific safety information at fixed points, whilst markings provide continuous visual guidance throughout a space. Both work together in comprehensive safety systems to create layered communication.

Think of safety signs as delivering specific messages at decision points. An emergency exit sign tells you where to go. A fire extinguisher sign shows you where firefighting equipment is located. These are deliberate, structured communications placed strategically throughout a facility or vessel. They’re typically manufactured to strict standards with specific colours, symbols, and dimensions.

Safety markings, conversely, provide continuous information. Pipe markings indicate what flows through piping systems, using colour codes defined by standards like ISO 14726 for maritime applications. Floor markings show safe walkways, hazardous areas, or loading zones. These markings integrate into the physical environment, becoming part of the infrastructure itself rather than additions to it.

The distinction becomes particularly important in maritime and industrial settings. On a ship, IMO signs indicate emergency equipment locations and escape routes, whilst pipe markings identify systems carrying everything from potable water to hazardous chemicals. Both are essential, but they serve different functions in the overall safety communication strategy.

Low Location Lighting systems represent an advanced form of safety marking that bridges both categories. These systems provide photoluminescent or electrically powered guidance along escape routes, typically mounted at floor level where they remain visible below smoke during fires. Photoluminescent systems absorb ambient light and glow for hours in darkness, providing reliable guidance without power. Electrically powered LED systems offer even greater visibility and can extend continuously for hundreds of metres along escape routes.

The most effective safety systems combine both signs and markings strategically. Signs provide clear information at key decision points, whilst markings offer continuous guidance and system identification. In our work with maritime and industrial clients, we design integrated systems where IMO signs, pipe markings, and Low Location Lighting work together to create comprehensive safety communication that functions under normal conditions and during emergencies.

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