The ISO 7010 standard harmonises safety signage worldwide: a shape and a colour immediately identify the nature of the message, regardless of language.
On a construction site, an industrial facility or a public-access building, a sign must be understood in a split second, even by someone who does not read the local language. The ISO 7010 standard meets this need by fixing, for each family of message, a shape and a colour that never change: red and a barred circle for a prohibition, yellow and a triangle for a warning, blue and a circle for an obligation, green for emergency information, red and a square for fire-fighting equipment. Consistent, well-positioned and regularly checked signage is one of the baseline requirements of any QHSE prevention approach. Not to be confused with the chemical hazard pictograms of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS/CLP): these fall under a separate standard, dedicated to product labelling and safety data sheets rather than on-site signage.
Red circle, white background, black pictogram crossed by a diagonal bar. They signal behaviour that is formally forbidden because ignoring it creates a direct danger.
Yellow triangle with a black border, black pictogram. They signal a specific hazard or risk present in the area, without forbidding or requiring a particular action.
Blue circle, white pictogram. They require a specific action or the wearing of personal protective equipment before entering the area or carrying out a task.
Green square or rectangle, white pictogram. They indicate emergency exits, escape routes and first-aid resources available on site.
Red square or rectangle, white pictogram. They precisely locate fire-fighting equipment available for rapid intervention.
White diamond with a red border, black pictogram. These are the 9 pictograms of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS), used to label hazardous chemical products — a standard distinct from ISO 7010, which governs packaging and safety data sheets rather than on-site signage.
In France, the employer provides health and safety signage when risks cannot be avoided or sufficiently reduced by other measures. In Benin and any other country, applicable requirements must be checked according to the site, activity and local regulations.
ISO 7010 defines safety signs for accident prevention, fire protection, hazard information and emergency evacuation. Its use should be coordinated with ISO 3864 principles and applicable national or sector-specific rules.
Adding machinery, creating a storage area or changing traffic routes may alter risks. The relevance, position and legibility of signage should then be reassessed.
As a good practice, an inventory may record each sign’s location, installation date, condition and latest check to support internal monitoring.
The choice depends on the environment, installation surface, site constraints and required durability.
Rigid PVC may suit some indoor uses. Its fire behaviour and compatibility with the exposure environment should be checked before selection.
Compatible indoor uses after assessment
Aluminium or composite may suit outdoor use when the coating, fixing and substrate withstand UV exposure, corrosion and site conditions.
Outdoor and demanding environments, subject to specification
Vinyl may be installed without drilling when the surface, adhesive, temperature and chemical exposure are compatible with the intended use.
Prepared, compatible surfaces
Photoluminescent signage may supplement wayfinding in low light. It does not replace emergency lighting or any other system required by applicable regulations.
Routes and equipment after site assessment
Responsibility depends on the country, the establishment’s status and identified risks. In France, it notably falls to the employer as part of their prevention duties. In Benin or another country, applicable rules and site responsibilities must be checked.
A custom solution may be considered after assessing the site, the intended message and applicable standards. Customisation must not impair understanding of standardised safety signs.
The need for an evacuation plan, its content and its location depend on the country, establishment type, occupancy and risks. It should be designed from the site’s actual layout and remain consistent with instructions, escape routes and emergency equipment.
There is no universal interval suitable for every site. Check frequency should reflect applicable requirements, risks, the environment and possible deterioration, with reassessment after any change to the site or activity.
We support the selection, design and deployment of signage suited to your site, risks and applicable requirements.
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