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A Guide to Mandatory Signs
Round blue signs show people what they are required to do, most often which protective gear to put on before entering an area.
What mandatory signs stand for
A plain blue circle with a white symbol is an instruction that has to be obeyed. Most mandatory signs deal with personal protective equipment (PPE). In South African catalogues these are frequently listed under MV codes in terms of SANS 1186.
MUST
Hard hat needed
Building sites, warehouses with racking, and workshops.
MUST
Wear safety boots
Any area with heavy loads, vehicles or sharp objects.
MUST
Wear ear protection
Loud machine rooms and factory floors.
Common mandatory signs
| Sign | Typical places |
|---|
| A hard hat must be worn | Construction sites, mines, warehouses, workshops |
| Protective footwear must be worn | Factories, warehouses, loading bays, job sites |
| Eye protection is compulsory | Grinding, welding, cutting, laboratories, chemical handling |
| Hearing protection must be worn | Generator rooms, production lines, compressor areas |
| Hi-vis vest must be worn | Yards, loading bays, roadways, building sites |
| Hand protection must be worn | Handling chemicals, sharp materials, food preparation |
| Wash your hands | Washrooms, kitchens, food plants, clinics |
| Keep door closed | Fire doors, cold stores, clean rooms |
Getting PPE signs right
- Place mandatory signs at the entrance, before the hazard zone starts
- Use a single combination board at site gates instead of several small signs
- Base the sign on your risk assessment, and only call for PPE that is really required
- Team it with the matching warning sign so people know the reason
Common questions
What does a blue safety sign mean?
A plain blue circle with a white symbol tells you that you have to take a specific action, such as putting on a hard hat or safety boots.
Where should PPE signs go?
At the entry point to the area that needs the protective gear, so people can put it on before going in.
Can more than one PPE requirement appear on a single sign?
Yes. Combination signs that show, for example, a hard hat, safety boots and a reflective vest together are common at site entrances. We can make them to your list.
Are mandatory signs enough by themselves?
No. The employer also has to supply the PPE, train staff and make sure it is used. The sign is simply a reminder.
Explore more safety sign guides
Place your sign order today
Xpress Print produces SABS-style safety signs on ABS, aluminium, Chromadek, Correx and photoluminescent vinyl from our Rivonia, Johannesburg base. Send us the sign codes and sizes and we’ll send you a quote.
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