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International · International Organization for Standardization
ISO 7010
The international standard for safety pictograms.
ISO 7010 establishes a globally recognised set of safety pictograms covering prohibition, mandatory, warning, safe condition and fire equipment signs. Adoption ensures the same symbol means the same thing across plants, countries and languages.
Where this standard applies
- Multinational manufacturing and logistics
- Airports, ports and large public infrastructure
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Any site with multilingual workforce
Key requirements
- 1Use only ISO 7010 pictograms — do not mix in bespoke symbols for the same hazard.
- 2Shape carries meaning: circle for prohibition and mandatory, triangle for warning, square for safe condition and fire equipment.
- 3Signs must be legible at the observation distance for the space (ISO 3864-1 sizing formula: side length ≥ observation distance ÷ 40).
- 4Photoluminescent finishes are required on escape-route and fire equipment signs where lighting can fail.
Signal words & colours
| Signal | Meaning | Colour rule |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibition | Do not do — smoking, entry, open flame. | Red circle, black pictogram on white |
| Mandatory | Must do — wear PPE, follow instruction. | Blue circle, white pictogram |
| Warning | Beware of a hazard. | Yellow triangle, black pictogram and border |
| Safe condition | Escape route, first aid, assembly point. | Green square, white pictogram |
| Fire equipment | Location of firefighting equipment. | Red square, white pictogram |
Recommended signage
References
External links open the issuing authority. This guide is a plain-English summary — always refer to the official text for certification work.