Safety signs in the UK are mostly standardised, so no matter where you see one, you will know what it means. The uniformity of health and safety signage has made it possible for signs to communicate information silently, nearly in a universal language that most UK citizens can instantly understand due to the sign’s design and colour.
Blue is the colour of mandatory safety instructions for any action or behaviour necessary to obey. The most well-known example of such signage is the blue “wear your mask” one. In this article, 3 Signs UK tells you more about the specifics of the blue safety sign.
The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 Guidelines for Blue Mandatory Safety Signs
The clear guidelines under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations of 1996 for mandatory signs in blue and white colour, with the presence of a centrally positioned pictogram and/or text. The regulations only apply to signs that have pictograms, it does not have specifics for mandatory fire instructions. This places the blue signs with only text, such as the Fire Door Keep Clear sign under the guidelines of the EC Safety Signs Directive 92/58/EEC adopted in 1992, across all EU.
Common Format of Blue Fire Instruction Signs in the UK
Blue fire safety signs are different from fire prohibition sign boards, which are usually red. The blue signs often have one clear direction, such as “Fire Door Keep Shut,” or a list of “Fire Actions” to take, which include both text and pictograms for people to follow in the case of a fire incident or emergency.
Most instructions for “what to do when there is a fire” are traditionally designed in a circular format instead of white writing on a blue background. The necessary nature of the instructions is communicated through the use of colour, although a rectangular shape is employed due to the usual amount of text required. A fire instruction notice may be used in conjunction with the general obligatory sign, which is a blue circle with a white exclamation mark.
So how do blue fire safety signs differ from red ones? Blue always denotes how to do it, while the red signs denote where to find the equipment, which way to go, and so on. For example, you will find the fire alarm symbol in red, whereas, the instruction to “raise the alarm in case of a fire” would be in blue.
Common Examples of Blue Safety Signs
- Eye Protection Signs are mandatory PPE signs that are BS EN ISO 7010 compliant, and are widely used in factories, woodworking workshops and chemical factories.
- Mandatory Hygiene-related Signs are frequently used in public spaces, workplaces, healthcare institutes, and other locations where it is necessary to take preventative steps to control the spread of diseases and viral infections in order to help stop the spread of the flu and other viruses.
- Pedestrians Must Use This Route Signs are used to direct pedestrians towards the safest routes in a roadway, they are also used to keep indoor and outdoor routes separate to maintain smooth, dry clean surfaces.
These are just a few examples of mandatory blue signals, but you must have understood how they function. Visit 3-Signs to view the full selection of our blue mandatory safety signage, which come in a number of sizes, shapes, and materials. Create your signs online or give us a call at 01305 303123 to speak with someone who will understand your needs.
