Safety Signs
Shop safety signs for UK workplaces, construction sites, warehouses, schools, offices and commercial premises. The Sign Shed manufactures a huge range of clear, durable safety signage in Britain, including warning, mandatory, prohibition, first aid, fire safety and PPE signs.
Choose from signs for indoor and outdoor use in a range of sizes and materials, including self-adhesive vinyl, recycled plastic and aluminium composite. Many of our health and safety signs use recognised BS EN ISO 7010 safety symbols to provide clear, consistent instructions and warnings.
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Electrical Cupboard Warning Sign -
No HGVs Beyond Sign -
Children Playing Please Drive Slowly Sign -
Construction Work Site Sign -
Uneven Surface Warning Sign -
Deep Water No Entry Sign -
Gas Cupboard Sign -
Do Not Use Sign -
Do Not Climb The Fence Sign -
Fragile Roof Hazard Sign -
Construction Keep Out Sign -
No Ball Games Prohibition Sign -
Flammable No Smoking Sign -
Blind Spot Warning Sign -
Electrical Cupboard Sign -
Mind Your Head Warning Sign -
Mind The Step Sign -
LPG Flammable Warning Sign -
No Littering Sign -
Hand Wash Only Sink Sign -
Flammable Liquid Warning Sign -
Construction Site Keep Out Sign -
Hot Water Warning Sign -
Clean As You Go Sign
Shop Safety Signs by Type
Choosing the correct safety sign starts with understanding the message you need to communicate.
Warning & Hazard Signs
Warning signs draw attention to hazards and potential dangers. Typically recognised by their yellow-and-black triangular design, they can be used to identify risks including electrical hazards, hazardous substances, moving vehicles, machinery, slippery surfaces and other workplace dangers.
Mandatory Safety Signs
Mandatory signs tell people about an action or behaviour that must be followed. Their familiar blue-and-white design is commonly used for instructions such as wearing safety footwear, eye protection, hard hats, hearing protection and other PPE.
Prohibition Signs
Prohibition safety signs identify actions that are not permitted. These include No Smoking, No Entry, No Pedestrians and other restrictions designed to prevent unsafe behaviour or unauthorised access.
Fire Safety & Fire Exit Signs
Help employees, visitors and contractors identify escape routes, fire doors, fire-fighting equipment and important emergency information. Our range includes fire exit, fire action, fire door, fire extinguisher, assembly point and photoluminescent fire safety signs.
First Aid Signs
Make first aid equipment and facilities easier to locate with clear green-and-white safety signage. Choose signs for first aid kits, first aid rooms, eyewash stations, emergency showers, AEDs and other first aid locations.
PPE Safety Signs
Clearly communicate where personal protective equipment is required. Our PPE safety signs cover head, eye, ear, hand, face and foot protection as well as multi-PPE requirements for workplaces and construction sites.
Construction Safety Signs
Construction sites can require a combination of hazard warnings, PPE instructions, access restrictions, traffic management and emergency information. Choose individual construction safety signs, multi-message site boards, safety banners and sign multipacks.
Shop Construction Safety Signs →
UK Safety Signs for Workplaces and Businesses
Under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, employers must provide appropriate safety signs where a significant risk to health and safety remains after other measures have been taken to control that risk.
The right signage therefore depends on your risk assessment and the hazards, activities and people present at your premises. A safety sign should support appropriate risk controls rather than replace them.
Recognised symbols and consistent colours make safety information easier to understand quickly. BS EN ISO 7010 provides standardised graphical symbols used across many modern workplace safety signs.
Safety Signs FAQs
What safety signs does a UK workplace need?
There isn't one fixed set of safety signs required for every workplace. The signs you need depend on the risks identified through your workplace risk assessment. Where a significant risk cannot be adequately controlled by other measures, appropriate safety signage may be required to warn, prohibit, instruct or provide emergency information.
What do the colours of safety signs mean?
Safety sign colours help communicate different types of information quickly. Yellow is commonly associated with warnings, blue with mandatory actions, red circles with prohibitions, green with safe conditions and emergency escape information, and red rectangular or square signs with fire-fighting equipment.
What is BS EN ISO 7010?
BS EN ISO 7010 specifies registered safety signs and graphical symbols intended to make important safety information consistent and easy to recognise. Using recognised symbols helps employees, contractors and visitors understand safety information quickly.
Are safety signs a legal requirement in the UK?
Safety signs can be a legal requirement where a significant health and safety risk remains after other appropriate control measures have been taken. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 set out requirements relating to safety signs and signals at work.
Where should safety signs be positioned?
Signs should be positioned where people can see and understand them before encountering the relevant hazard or reaching the area where an instruction applies. They should remain clearly visible, legible and unobstructed.
Can safety signs be used outdoors?
Yes. Choose a material suitable for the environment and consider exposure to weather, sunlight and the fixing surface. Rigid plastic and aluminium composite options can be suitable for many external applications.
Can I order safety signs in bulk?
Yes. The Sign Shed offers automatic bulk discounts, making it easier to purchase safety signage for larger workplaces, construction projects, property portfolios and multiple sites.
Can I create a custom safety sign?
Yes. If a standard sign doesn't communicate your particular site requirement, you can create a custom sign with your required wording, size and material.
Frequently asked questions
Get quick solutions to your common safety sign buying questions
General safety signs should be displayed in any location where there is a need to inform or warn employees, visitors, and the public about potential hazards, mandatory actions, or safe practices. Common locations include:Workplaces – Offices, factories, and warehouses must display relevant safety signage as part of their Health and Safety policies.Construction Sites – Clear signage is required to highlight dangers such as falling debris, restricted access, or PPE requirements.Public Spaces – Places like parks, shopping centres, and car parks benefit from safety signs to guide people safely.Schools & Educational Institutions – Schools use safety signs for fire exits, hazardous areas, and first aid points.
Safety signs play a crucial role in accident prevention by:Raising Awareness – They alert people to potential dangers before they encounter them.Providing Instructions – Signs such as "Keep Clear" or "Wear Eye Protection" ensure that safety procedures are followed.Reinforcing Regulations – They remind employees and visitors of mandatory safety measures, reducing the risk of non-compliance.Guiding Emergency Responses – Fire exit and first aid signs help people navigate quickly in emergencies, reducing panic and confusion.
Employers and business owners must comply with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, which require:The use of safety signs where there is a significant risk that cannot be controlled by other means.Clear and easily understood signage with standardised symbols and colours, following BS EN ISO 7010 guidelines.Proper maintenance of signs to ensure visibility and legibility.Training and information for employees on the meaning and importance of safety signage.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) categorises safety signs into four main types:Prohibition Signs (Red & White) – Indicate actions that must not be taken, e.g., "No Smoking."Warning Signs (Yellow & Black) – Highlight potential hazards, e.g., "Caution: Slippery Floor."Mandatory Signs (Blue & White) – Show actions that must be taken, e.g., "Wear Safety Goggles."Emergency & Safe Condition Signs (Green & White) – Direct people to safe areas, e.g., "Fire Exit."
Yes, under UK law, employers have a duty to ensure that safety signs remain visible, legible, and in good condition. This includes:Regular Inspections – Checking for damage, fading, or obstructions.Prompt Replacements – Updating signage when necessary, such as after layout changes or new risk assessments.Adequate Lighting – Ensuring that signs are well-lit and visible, even in low-light conditions.
Safety signs are an essential part of a workplace risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. They help by:Identifying hazards and ensuring appropriate warnings are in place.Providing clear instructions to employees, reducing the likelihood of accidents.Demonstrating compliance with legal health and safety obligations.By displaying the correct general safety signs, businesses can protect employees, visitors, and the public while meeting their legal responsibilities. Explore our collection of General Safety Signs to enhance workplace safety today.