South African workplace safety signs follow SANS 1186. The idea is simple: colour and shape carry the meaning, so a person knows whether a sign forbids, instructs, warns or guides before reading a single word. Here is what each group means and where it belongs.
Prohibition signs PV
Looks like: a white circle with a red ring and red diagonal bar over a black symbol.
Means: “do not”. Use them where an action could cause harm – no smoking near fuel, no naked flames, no pedestrians in forklift areas, no unauthorised entry, no cellphones at fuel points.
Mandatory signs MV
Looks like: a solid blue circle with a white symbol.
Means: “you must”. Put them at the entrance to the area where the rule applies – hearing protection in noisy zones, safety boots and hard hats on site, eye protection at grinders, hand washing in food areas.
Hazard warning signs WW
Looks like: a yellow triangle with a black border and black symbol.
Means: “be careful – danger nearby”. Typical uses are high voltage, forklift traffic, slippery floors, overhead loads, hot surfaces, corrosive or flammable substances.
General information & escape signs GA
Looks like: a green square or rectangle with a white symbol.
Means: “this way to safety”. Emergency exits and escape routes (the running man with arrows), first aid boxes, eyewash stations, emergency showers and assembly points.
Fire fighting signs FB
Looks like: a red square with a white symbol.
Means: “fire equipment is here”. Mount them above extinguishers, hose reels, fire alarm call points and fire blankets so they can be seen from a distance, even when the equipment itself is hidden behind people or stock.
Photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) signs
Photoluminescent signs absorb light and glow when the power fails, so exits, escape routes, stairs and fire equipment stay visible in smoke or darkness. Use them for every escape-route and fire-equipment sign in buildings where people may need to get out in the dark.
Placing signs correctly
- Walk the site and list each hazard, rule and piece of safety equipment.
- Pick the right group for each one – prohibition, mandatory, warning, information or fire.
- Mount signs at eye level (roughly 1.5–2 m) where people approach the hazard, not after it.
- Choose a size people can read from where they stand – bigger signs for warehouses, yards and long corridors.
- Keep signs clean and replace faded ones – a sign that cannot be read does not count.
Materials & sizes
| Material | Best for |
|---|---|
| ABS / PVC board | Indoor walls and doors – light and easy to fix |
| Self-adhesive vinyl | Smooth surfaces, machines, glass and equipment |
| Aluminium / Chromadek | Outdoors, yards and sites – weather resistant |
| Photoluminescent | Escape routes, stairwells and fire equipment |
Most signs come in several sizes (from small door signs up to large yard boards). If you are unsure, tell us where the sign goes and how far away people will be – we will recommend the size.
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