Essential Types of Safety and Security Signage
This article explores various essential safety and security signs used across industries to prevent accidents and promote awareness. It covers prohibition, emergency, hazard, notice, and warning signs, emphasizing their purpose and proper usage to ensure workplace safety. Custom signage options are also discussed, along with best practices for effective communication and installation.

Key Categories of Safety and Security Signage
Safety and security signs serve as visual cues to highlight hazards and direct appropriate actions to prevent accidents. You'll spot these signs in offices, public venues, retail spaces, and more. Each sign type has a distinct purpose and communicates specific safety messages. This article covers the main classifications of these essential signs.
- Prohibition Signs
Designed to restrict certain activities or access, these signs typically feature a red circle with a diagonal line, indicating what is not allowed.

These signs are crucial during urgent situations, guiding individuals towards emergency exits, evacuation routes, or first aid stations. In case of fire or other hazards, they help occupants evacuate safely and locate safety equipment swiftly.
Used in industrial or high-risk zones, hazard signs warn of dangerous conditions or areas. Such signs help prevent accidents by keeping people aware of potential threats. Common examples include “Restricted Area” and “High Voltage” signs, which alert about voltage hazards or restricted zones.
Typically blue with white text or symbols, notice signs communicate rules or policies. They might inform about security protocols, safety procedures, or operational warnings, such as security checks or safety regulation compliance.
In situations where hazards are present but not immediately life-threatening, warning signs are used. Recognizable by yellow backgrounds with hazard icons or orange panels with black lettering, they caution about electrical dangers, construction risks, or health hazards. These signs aim to alert individuals before they encounter risky conditions.
Custom safety signage can be tailored to particular workplaces, but clarity and concise messaging are vital. Proper installation and employee awareness ensure the signs serve their purpose effectively.