Prohibition
You must notRed circle and diagonal bar
LEVEL 2 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Safety signs
Recognise the message. Understand the hazard. Choose the right response.
The four main categories
Use the colour, shape and symbol together. In this resource, Information means the green safe-condition signs used for safety routes and facilities.
Warning
There is a hazardYellow triangle with black border
Mandatory
You mustBlue circle with white symbol
Information / safe condition
Safety routes and facilitiesGreen square or rectangle
One extra category: red square or rectangular signs identify fire equipment. A red circle with a diagonal bar prohibits an action.
How to read a sign
- Recognise the category. Use colour and shape.
- Identify the message. Look at the symbol and read the wording.
- Check where it applies. It may mark a doorway, a route, equipment or a whole area.
- Follow the instruction. Use the controls, PPE and local procedure for your task.
Memory aid: Red circle = STOP the action. Yellow triangle = CAUTION. Blue circle = MUST. Green = SAFETY location or route.
Common signs and their meanings
Prohibition
Red circle and diagonal bar. You must not. Black symbol on white. The diagonal red bar shows that the action is forbidden.
No smoking
Keep smoking materials away from the marked area.
Smoking and naked flames forbidden
Keep flames and other ignition sources away.
No unauthorised access
Enter only with permission.
No pedestrians
Use an approved alternative pedestrian route.
No industrial vehicles
Keep forklifts and similar vehicles out.
Do not touch
Leave the equipment or surface alone.
Not drinking water
Do not drink from this supply.
Do not extinguish with water
Water is prohibited for firefighting here. Follow the fire procedure.
Warning
Yellow triangle with black border. There is a hazard. A black symbol identifies the danger. Read any accompanying wording and follow the controls for the work.
Electrical hazard
Keep clear of electrical hazards. Follow authorised safe electrical work procedures.
General warning
Read the accompanying wording to identify the specific hazard.
Trip hazard
Watch the route and report or deal with obstructions under local procedures.
Drop or fall hazard
Keep clear of edges and follow barriers.
Industrial vehicles
Use designated pedestrian routes and stay visible to drivers.
Suspended load
Stay outside the lifting exclusion zone.
Flammable material
Keep ignition sources away and follow storage rules.
Corrosive material
Avoid contact and follow handling instructions.
Toxic material
Avoid exposure and follow the task assessment.
Explosive material
Follow access restrictions and site procedures.
Oxidising material
Can intensify fire. Follow storage and separation rules.
Biological hazard
Follow hygiene and exposure controls.
Laser beam
Follow access and exposure controls for the equipment.
Radioactive material / ionising radiation
Follow restricted access and specialist instructions.
Non-ionising radiation
Follow the stated access and exposure controls.
Strong magnetic field
Check restrictions for implants and equipment before entering.
Low temperature
Follow cold-exposure and handling precautions.
Mandatory
Blue circle with white symbol. You must. The sign requires a particular action. PPE must suit the task and the risk assessment.
Wear a safety helmet
Wear the specified helmet in the marked area.
Wear eye protection
Use suitable eye protection for the task.
Wear hearing protection
Fit the specified ear defenders or earplugs.
Wear protective gloves
Use the glove type specified for the hazard.
Wear safety footwear
Wear suitable protective footwear for the area and task.
Wear protective clothing
Use the specified protective clothing.
Wear respiratory protection
Use the specified equipment with the required training and fit.
Wear face protection
Use a suitable face shield where required.
Wear a safety harness
Use the specified fall-protection system with suitable training.
Pedestrians must use this route
Follow the designated pedestrian route.
General mandatory action
Read and carry out the accompanying instruction.
Information / safe condition
Green square or rectangle. Safety routes and facilities. White symbols identify emergency escape routes, first aid or other safety facilities.
Escape route to the left
Follow the arrow to the left and continue along the signed route.
Escape route to the right
Follow the arrow to the right and continue along the signed route.
First aid
Shows first aid facilities or assistance.
Emergency eyewash
Know where the eyewash station is located.
Stretcher
Shows where emergency transport equipment is kept.
Assembly point
Go to the designated point after evacuation and follow roll-call instructions.
Safety shower
Shows the location of an emergency shower.
Emergency telephone
Shows a telephone for first aid or escape assistance.
Fire equipment
Red square or rectangle. Equipment location. White symbols on red identify firefighting equipment and alarm facilities.
Fire extinguisher
Shows the equipment location. Use only within your training and local procedure.
Fire alarm call point
Shows where to raise the alarm.
Fire hose
Identifies firefighting equipment.
Signs in an electrical workshop
A workshop entrance can display several signs. Permission controls access. The lightning symbol warns about electricity. The blue goggles sign requires eye protection. Each sign adds a different instruction or warning.
Before work: check authorisation and supervision, read the task assessment and use the specified protection. Follow safe isolation and verification procedures where required. A warning sign does not prove equipment is isolated.
Scenario 1: a damaged electrical warning sign
Report the damage. Clarify the hazard with your tutor or supervisor before work. Keep access restrictions and safe working procedures in place.
Scenario 2: a blue PPE sign at a cutting station
Wear the specified eye protection before starting. Check that it suits the task and fits correctly. Follow the machine instructions and supervision requirements.
Scenario 3: an alarm sounds near a green exit sign
Follow the signed escape route and local evacuation procedure. Go to the designated assembly point, follow roll-call instructions and wait for authorisation before returning.
Good sign use
Position and visibility
- Signs need to be visible where people encounter the hazard or make a decision.
- Keep signs readable, well lit and free from obstructions.
- Report signs that are missing, damaged or unclear.
- Learn the local routes and emergency facilities during induction.
Extra wording and arrows
- Supplementary wording clarifies a symbol or gives a specific instruction.
- A general warning symbol needs enough context to explain the hazard.
- Follow the direction arrow on an escape sign.
- Read all signs at an entrance before entering.
Safety signs communicate risks and required behaviour. Barriers, guards, safe systems of work and other controls still apply. Ask your tutor or supervisor if you are unsure.
COSHH: chemical hazard pictograms
COSHH means Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. Chemical labels use GB CLP pictograms: a black symbol on white inside a red diamond. These differ from yellow workplace warning triangles.
Gas under pressure
Gas cylinder. Contains gas under pressure.
Explosive
Exploding bomb. May explode under specified conditions.
Oxidising
Flame over a circle. May cause or intensify fire.
Flammable
Flame. May catch fire easily.
Corrosive
Liquid damaging a hand and metal. May cause severe skin burns, eye damage or corrosion of metals.
Health hazard / irritant
Exclamation mark. May cause effects such as irritation or harmful acute toxicity.
Acute toxicity
Skull and crossbones. Can cause severe acute poisoning.
Serious health hazard
Person with a star-shaped chest marking. Can indicate serious effects such as cancer, respiratory sensitisation or organ damage.
Hazardous to the environment
Dead tree and fish. May harm aquatic life.
Before use: read the complete label, check the safety data sheet and follow the COSHH assessment. One product may show several pictograms. The label identifies the precise hazards and precautions.
Some pictograms describe physical or environmental hazards as well as health hazards. Fire and explosion risks also need the relevant site controls.
Other safety messages
Chemical hazard labels
Chemical labels use black pictograms inside a red diamond on white. They differ from yellow workplace warning triangles. Read the complete label and follow the safety data and COSHH assessment before handling a substance.
The old yellow triangle with a black cross for “harmful or irritant” has been removed from the listed workplace signs. Use the appropriate current sign or chemical pictogram.
Barriers, alarms and signals
Safety communication can also use warning tape, illuminated signs, audible alarms, hand signals and verbal instructions. Learn what the local signals mean and respond according to the site procedure.
Restricted areas remain restricted even if nobody is working there at that moment.
Common mistakes
| Confusion | Correct interpretation |
|---|---|
| Every red sign means “do not”. | Red circles prohibit. Red rectangles or squares identify fire equipment. |
| A warning triangle tells you what PPE to wear. | The triangle identifies a hazard. A blue circle requires a particular action. |
| A green exit sign points towards fire equipment. | Green escape signs show the escape route. Follow the arrow. |
| The sign makes the area safe. | Follow the risk controls and local instructions as well as the sign. |
Flashcard revision
Identify the sign and say what you would do before revealing the answer.
66 cards covering the sign library, COSHH pictograms and key safety principles.
Safety signs: 20 MCQs
Practice quiz grades: Failed: 0–49% (0–9 marks). Pass: 50–64% (10–12). Merit: 65–79% (13–15). Distinction: 80–100% (16–20). Your final grade appears after all 20 questions are answered.
Keyboard: 1–4 or A–D to answer. Left/right arrows to move between questions. Checked answers stay locked until you restart.
Quiz results
✓ Correct ✗ Incorrect — Unanswered. Select a number to review or answer that question.
Further reading and image sources
HSE: Safety signs and signals (L64)
HSE: Chemical hazard pictograms
Sign images: HSE L64, pp. 13–19. Assembly point: ISO 7010 E007, Wikimedia Commons.
Use this resource with the procedures for your college or work site.
HSE: Safety signs and signals (L64)
HSE: Chemical hazard pictograms
Sign images: HSE L64, pp. 13–19. Assembly point: ISO 7010 E007, Wikimedia Commons.
Use this resource with the procedures for your college or work site.