Pointers

Workplace Safety Signs: What Colours and Shapes Mean

Workplace safety signs are symbol signs that communicate through colour, shape and pictogram, with no need to read text. Because they are understood at a glance, they also work for staff and visitors who speak different languages. This category holds more than 500 symbol signs across warning, mandatory, prohibition, emergency and fire categories. Ilgi Trafik manufactures every sign in its own factory in Akyurt, Ankara, and sells directly to customers.

The Five Types of Safety Signs

The Turkish Health and Safety Signs Regulation groups signs by colour and shape. The meaning of each group is fixed, so choosing the correct type is the first step to a sign being understood correctly.

• Prohibition signs: a red circle with a diagonal bar and a black pictogram on white. They forbid behaviour that could cause danger, such as smoking, naked flames, entry or mobile phone use.
• Warning signs: a yellow triangle with a black border and black pictogram. They draw attention to a hazard such as electricity, slippery floors, suspended loads, forklifts or hot surfaces.
• Mandatory signs: a white pictogram in a blue circle. They state a required action, such as wear a hard hat, use eye protection or wash your hands.
• Emergency signs: a white pictogram on a green square or rectangle. They show emergency exits, escape directions, first aid and assembly points.
• Fire equipment signs: a white pictogram on a red square or rectangle. They mark the location of fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire alarms and similar equipment.

Where and How to Place Safety Signs

The number and position of signs depend on the size of the hazard and the area. For a specific hazard, mount the sign right next to its source; for a general hazard, place it at the entrance to the area. Signs should sit at a suitable height for the line of sight, taking obstacles into account, in a well-lit and clearly visible spot. Where natural light is poor, photoluminescent or reflective surfaces or additional lighting are recommended. Too many signs in one spot dilute attention, so prioritise the key message.

Why Regulations Matter

Turkish Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 obliges employers to inform workers about risks and give them suitable instructions. The Health and Safety Signs Regulation requires safety signs to be provided and used in appropriate places wherever the risk assessment shows risks that cannot be eliminated or sufficiently reduced. The right sign helps prevent accidents and shows inspectors that the workplace is prepared.

Materials and Sizes

Symbol signs in this category are square and come in six sizes from 10×10 cm to 60×60 cm. Choose 1 mm galvanized steel for long outdoor life, light 3 mm PVC foam board (dekota) for indoor use, or vinyl stickers for doors, machines and cabinets. All fire signs and most emergency signs are photoluminescent. Contact us for custom sizes or symbols.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the colours on safety signs mean? Red means prohibition and firefighting equipment, yellow warns of a hazard, blue means a mandatory action, and green indicates a safe condition such as an emergency exit or first aid.

Which size should I choose? Choose by viewing distance; as a rule of thumb, 10–20 cm for machines and above doors, 30–40 cm for corridors and rooms, and 50–60 cm for large halls, warehouses and outdoor areas.

What are the shipping and return terms? Shipping is free on orders of 2,500 TL and above, and products can be returned free of charge within 14 days (custom-made items excluded).