Keeping people safe at work isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about protecting lives. Clear, visible, and legally compliant health and safety signs are one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents and meet your legal obligations.
Whether you run a warehouse, retail store, hotel, restaurant, or office, you must have the right signs in the right places.
SignArt Pro, Luton’s trusted sign experts, design, manufacture, and install custom health and safety signs that comply with UK regulations and fit your site perfectly.
Here’s your practical guide to the different types of safety signs every UK business needs.
Why Health and Safety Signs Matter
Workplace safety signs:
- Warn people about hazards.
- Show safe routes in an emergency.
- Explain what actions are required.
- Reinforce a strong safety culture.
UK law requires employers to comply with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Failing to do so can lead to injuries, fines, invalidated insurance, or legal action.
The 5 Main Types of Health and Safety Signs
Each safety sign type has a standard colour, shape, and purpose under UK law.
1. Prohibition Signs
- Colour: Red circle with a diagonal line.
- Meaning: Shows actions you must not do.
- Examples: No Smoking, Do Not Enter, No Naked Flames
- Common Locations: Fuel storage, chemical stores, hospitals, labs.
2. Mandatory Signs
- Colour: Blue circle with a white symbol.
- Meaning: Tells you what you must do.
- Examples: Wear Gloves, Wear Eye Protection, Keep Fire Door Closed
- Common Locations: Construction sites, kitchens, factories, labs.
3. Warning Signs
- Colour: Yellow triangle with black border.
- Meaning: Warns of hazards or dangers.
- Examples: Caution Slippery Floor, High Voltage, Forklift Trucks Operating
- Common Locations: Warehouses, kitchens, construction areas.
4. Safe Condition Signs
- Colour: Green rectangle or square with a white symbol.
- Meaning: Shows safe routes or equipment.
- Examples: Emergency Exit, First Aid Point, Assembly Point
- Common Locations: Hotels, schools, shopping centres, offices.
5. Fire Safety Signs
- Colour: Red rectangle or square with a white symbol.
- Meaning: Shows fire equipment or exit instructions.
- Examples: Fire Extinguisher, Fire Alarm Call Point, Fire Exit
- Common Locations: Every business must display clear fire safety signage as part of UK fire regulations.
Where These Signs Are Used (Real Examples)
We’ve supplied health and safety signs for hundreds of local businesses, including:
- Warehouses: PPE required signs, forklift warnings, fire exits
- Retail Stores: Fire extinguisher points, spill warnings, no smoking signs
- Construction Sites: Site safety boards, hazard signs, mandatory PPE
- Hotels: Emergency evacuation maps, no smoking room signs, fire exits
- Offices: First aid kits, safe exit routes, electrical hazard warnings
Standard vs. Custom Safety Signs
Off-the-shelf signs work in many settings — but custom signs help you highlight unique risks or site-specific instructions and look more professional.
With custom signs, you can:
- Add your logo to reinforce your brand.
- Choose durable, weatherproof materials.
- Include multilingual instructions or braille for accessibility.
At SignArt Pro, we help you design custom safety signs that show you care about compliance and quality.
Best Materials for Durable Safety Signs
The right material keeps your signs clear and visible, even in tough conditions. We supply:
- Foamex or Correx: Lightweight, budget-friendly for indoor use
- Aluminium Composite (Dibond): Perfect for long-term outdoor safety signs
- Acrylic: Modern finish for offices and receptions
- Vinyl Stickers: Great for windows, mirrors, floors, and temporary notices
- Photoluminescent (Glow-in-the-Dark): Ideal for emergency exits and low-light areas
Staying Compliant
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires that safety signs must be:
- Clear and easy to read
- Maintained in good condition
- Correctly placed
- Used when hazards can’t be eliminated or reduced by other means
At SignArt Pro, we can visit your site, advise you on correct placement, and ensure you stay fully compliant.
Why Choose SignArt Pro for Safety Signs?
- Over 10 years of experience
- Fully custom signage design
- Fast local turnaround and installation
- Weather-resistant, high-quality materials
- Trusted by more than 150 businesses across Luton, Bedford, Dunstable and beyond
From a single fire exit sign to a complete site safety system, we handle it all — design, manufacture, delivery, and installation.
Get Compliant and Keep People Safe
Health and safety signs are not just legal requirements — they prove you care about your team, your customers, and your reputation.
SignArt Pro is ready to help your business stay safe and meet every legal standard.
Call us for a free quote: +44 7469 814114
Email: hello@signartpro.co.uk
Visit us: Unit 1, 184 Camford Way, Luton, LU3 3AN
Website:www.signartpro.co.uk
