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Understanding Safety Signs
A simple guide to South African safety signs: what each colour and shape stands for, which signs a workplace needs, and how to pick the right material and size.
The five kinds of safety sign
Each symbolic safety sign conveys one of five messages. You can spot which one from its shape and colour alone, before reading the symbol. The system is set out in SANS 1186, South Africa’s standard for symbolic safety signs, and follows the international ISO 7010 system.
Prohibition
Red circle with a diagonal bar: doing this is not allowed.
MUST
Mandatory
Solid blue circle: this action is compulsory.
!
Warning
Yellow triangle with a black border: a hazard is close by.
FIRST
AID
Safe condition
Green square or rectangle: first aid, escape routes and safety gear.
FIRE
HOSE
Fire equipment
Red square or rectangle: shows where firefighting equipment is located.
EXIT →
Photoluminescent
Glow-in-the-dark exit and fire signs that keep working during a power cut.
Colour and shape quick reference
| Colour | Shape | Meaning | Examples |
|---|
| Red with bar | Circle | Prohibited action | No smoking, no entry, no mobile phones |
| Blue | Circle | Mandatory action | Hard hat, safety boots and handwashing are required |
| Yellow | Triangle | Alerts you to a hazard | Electrical risk, forklift traffic, slippery floor |
| Green | Square or rectangle | Safe condition or way out | Emergency exit, first aid, gathering point |
| Red | Square or rectangle | Fire-fighting equipment | Fire extinguisher, hose reel, fire alarm |
Tip: the shape shows the type of message, and the colour backs it up. A round sign gives an instruction (do or don’t), a triangle issues a warning, and a square or rectangle provides information.
Explore the full guides
Each guide covers one family of signs: what the symbols mean, where the law requires them, the usual sign codes, and how to order them.
Which signs does my site need?
The OHS Act puts the onus on the employer to identify hazards and warn people about them. Most sites need at least:
- Fire equipment signs mounted above every extinguisher, hose reel and alarm call point
- Emergency exit and escape route signs along each route out of the building, preferably photoluminescent
- First aid and gathering point signs so people know where to head
- Warning signs near electrical boards, machinery, chemical stores and traffic routes
- Mandatory PPE signs at the entrance to any area that calls for protective equipment
- Prohibition signs such as no smoking near flammable materials and no unauthorised access
A safety officer or fire consultant can confirm exactly which signs your risk assessment requires. Send us their list and we will quote for the full set.
Choosing material and size
| Material | Best for |
|---|
| ABS plastic (2 or 3 mm) | Indoor walls and doors; durable and easy to wipe clean |
| Self-adhesive vinyl | Smooth surfaces such as glass, machines and equipment |
| Photoluminescent vinyl or ABS | Escape routes, fire equipment and stairwells; glows in the dark |
| Aluminium or Chromadek | Outdoor yards, gates, fences and road signage |
| Correx | Short-term, temporary or on-site signage |
Shop the range:
Questions we are often asked
Are safety signs required by law in South Africa?
Yes. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and its regulations oblige employers to warn people about hazards and tell them how to respond, and safety signs are the usual way of doing this. The National Building Regulations (SANS 10400-T) also call for fire and escape-route signage.
Which standard applies to safety signs in South Africa?
SANS 1186 governs the symbolic safety signs used in South Africa, covering their colours, shapes and symbols. It is closely aligned with the international standard ISO 7010.
What do the colours on safety signs signify?
Red signals prohibition or fire equipment, blue signals a mandatory action, yellow warns of danger, and green indicates a safe condition, first aid or an escape route.
Which size of safety sign should I choose?
That depends on how far away people will be when they read it. As a rough guide, a 190 x 190 mm sign works well for close viewing in an office, while 290 mm or 400 mm signs suit warehouses, yards and passages. Get in touch and we will recommend sizes for your site.
Can you supply a complete set of signs for a new building or an audit?
Yes. Send us your safety file, fire plan or audit list and we will quote for every sign in the material and size you need. We can also install them for you.
Place your sign order today
Xpress Print manufactures SABS-style safety signs on ABS, aluminium, Chromadek, Correx and photoluminescent vinyl, based in Rivonia, Johannesburg. Send us the sign codes and sizes and we will give you a quote.
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