Understanding Safety Symbols and Signal Words

Study Notes

Safety Symbols

Safety symbols are pictures used to provide warnings or alerts about possible hazards, and are used in place of or as a supplement to written words.

Signal Words

The signal word is the large word at the top of a safety label, used in combination with a specific colored background and the safety alert symbol to indicate the degree of seriousness of a potential hazard.
There are three choices for a signal word: DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION.
DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation that could result in death or serious injury if not avoided.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation that could result in death or serious injury if not avoided.
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation that could result in minor or moderate injury if not avoided, and may also be used to indicate property-damage-only.

Color-Coded Safety Signs

The color-coded surrounding shapes act as a first level of meaning and draw the attention of the viewer.
Examples of safety signs include ISO "Warning Safety Signs", "Prohibition Safety Signs", and "Mandatory Action Safety Signs".

Classification of Safety Signs

Regulatory signs contain instructions and failure to comply constitutes an offense.
Mandatory signs indicate that an instruction must be carried out, with symbols being white on a blue disc.
Prohibition signs indicate that an action or activity is not allowed, with a symbolic shape of a red circle and slash over a black symbol.
Warning signs warn of a hazard or hazardous condition that is not likely to be life-threatening, with a symbolic shape of a black triangle with a yellow interior and black symbol.
Danger signs warn of a hazard or hazardous condition that is likely life-threatening, and it is recommended that symbols not be used.
Fire signs advise the location of fire alarms and firefighting equipment, with a white symbol and/or text on a red background.
Emergency information signs indicate the location of, or direction to, emergency-related facilities, featuring a white symbol and/or text on a green background.
General information signs communicate information of a general nature to avoid misunderstanding or confusion, often referring to housekeeping, company practices, and logistics.

Description

Test your knowledge of safety symbols, also known as pictograms or pictorials, and signal words used to indicate the degree of seriousness of a potential hazard. Learn how to recognize and understand these important warnings and alerts. Improve your safety awareness with this quiz!