Categories of Safety Signs

There are government sectors monitoring and encouraging the use of caution and safety signs and symbols to warn people of the possible hazards that might happen. There are regulations that are implemented for the standardization of safety signs and symbols for them to be easily recognizable and understandable by the public. 

1. Prohibition Signs

These are the signs that prohibit an action to achieve safety. It should be used to convey the “do not” types of commands. Examples of prohibition signs are as follows:

·         No smoking

·         No blowing of horns

·         Do not touch

·         Do not use incomplete scaffolding

·         Do not distract the machine operator

·         Do not extinguish with water

·         Cameras prohibited

·         No entry

·         No parking

·         No pets allowed

2. Warning Signs

These are signs that give warnings of potential risks or a nearby danger. The required color for this type of safety sign is yellow background and black text or a pictogram indicating the type of hazard on the center of the sign. Examples of warning signs are as follows:

·         Highly flammable material

·         Existential threat

·         Macroscale quantum system

·         Nanoparticle hazard

·         Radio frequency energy

·         Overhead electriv power lines

·         Biological Hazard

·         Antimatter

·         Non-potable water

·         Danger of infection

3. Mandatory Signs

These signs require actions or activities that will contribute towards safety. These must be carried out in order to comply with statutory requirements. Examples of mandatory signs are as follows:

·         Keep this area litter free

·         Wear face shield

·         Protective footwear must be worn

·         Respirators must be worn

·         Eye protection must be worn

·         Protective gloves must be worn

·         Hard hats must be worn

·         Safety vest must be worn

·         Lift heavy objects correctly

·         Aisle must be kept clear

4. Safe Condition Signs

These signs usually suggest routes in case of emergency such as fire and earthquake. Moreover these signs also indicate emergency exits, first aid equipment, emergency showers, and other similar safety routes. Examples of these signs are the following:

·         Fire exit

·         Fire assembly point

·         First aid

·         Emergency shower

·         Emergency eye wash

·         Refuge point

·         Emergency stop

·         First aiders

·         Emergency exit

·         Emergency telephone

5. Exit Signs

To comply with statutory requirements, an exit sign must be placed every doorway or other exit providing access to a means of escape, other than exits in ordinary use. Exit signs are easily recognizable because there are usually no other terms that are in replacement for the word exit. Thus, these signs can be easily seen and understood.

6. Fire Fighting Equipment Signs

These are the signs that indicate the location of fire equipment to be used in case of fire and emergency and fire alarm activation points. The sign must be placed on areas that is clearly visible in case of emergency. Examples of fire fighting equipment signs are as follows:

·         Fire alarm call point

·         For use on live electrical equipment

·         Fire hose reel

·         Fire extinguisher

·         Fire blanket

·         Dry riser

·         Fire emergency telephone

·         Fire hydrant and hose reel

·         Fire alarm control panel

·         Fire axe

Common Signage Shapes

You must also note that the shape of a signage can also help to convey a message to the audience. Although the usage of particular shapes may vary by country and culture, there are common signage shape conventions which are as follows:

·         Rectangular signs – These are often used to convey general information to the public.

·         Circular signs – Most often, circular signs portray instructions that is either mandatory or prohibitive.

·         Triangular signs – Triangular signs are often used in a warning sign for danger or caution.

Pictogram Requirements

Pictograms, also known as pictographs, convey information through the use of graphics with resemblance to a physical object. It is required that any caution sign must contain a pictogram for an easy recognition. It must be recognizable across cultures and languages for it to be successful in conveying a message. It must contains features which are as follows:

1. Appropriate Colors

There are different colors to be used for different types of safety signs which can be summarized as follows:

·         Prohibition signs – The signs are usually circular in shape with a red lining, white background, and red crossbar.

·         Warning signs – These signs are usually triangular with black borders, yellow background, and black symbols or text.

·         Mandatory signs – They are usually circular with blue background and white symbols or text.

·         Safe condition signs – Usually in a rectangular form, these signs have green background with white symbols or text.

·         Fire equipment signs – These come in either rectangular or circular shape with red background and white symbols or text. 

·         Supplementary information signs – These are usually in rectangular shape that may be in green, yellow, or red background with white or black symbols or texts.

2. Simplicity

It is also encouraged that the pictogram must be simple and should only contain essential details. It does not need words to explain the meaning of the symbol; hence, it should be simple enough for it to be easily recognized. The message should be direct enough that even those who are in panic and in a rush can immediately understand what the picture is all about. 

3. Similar Graphics

There are really no standard graphics when it comes to safety signs. You can use similar graphics, either with more details or less details, as long as it conveys the same information and it is not misleading to the public.

4. Understandable

It is recommended that the dimensions and colorimetric and photometric features of the safety signs must be understandable enough in whatever culture and language. Although text can also be helpful, but a pictogram is preferred since there are language and cultural differences when a word is incorporated in the sign and there are also those who do not know how to read.

General Advice for Fire Safety

The most common safety and precautionary measures that almost every establishment is for the prevention of fire. Wih this, we will be discussing a short general advice for fire safety. Following fire risk assessment, if it is deemed necessary to provide any fire safety signs for a certain building, then they must comply with the appropriate colors as mandated by the law. 

Every country has its own law with regard to the color coding of safety signs so it is necessary that you must be aware of each of them. The above discussion for the colors of the different safety signs is the commonly used color by most of the countries. Signs that are only in text are not acceptable and therefore should no longer be used.

ANSI Z535 Definitions for Danger, Warning, Caution, and Notice

As per ANSI Z535.5, here are the definition of the terms danger, warning, caution, and notice.

1. Danger

Indicate[s] a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. The signal word “DANGER” is to be limited to the most extreme situations. DANGER [signs] should not be used for property damage hazards unless personal injury risk appropriate to these levels is also involved. Y

2. Warning

Indicate[s] a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. WARNING [signs] should not be used for property damage hazards unless personal injury risk appropriate to this level is also involved.

3. Caution

Indicate[s] a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury. CAUTION [signs] without a safety alert symbol may be used to alert against unsafe practices that can result in property damage only.

4. Notice

[this header is] preferred to address practices not related to personal injury. The safety alert symbol shall not be used with this signal word. As an alternative to “NOTICE” the word “CAUTION” without the safety alert symbol may be used to indicate a message not related to personal injury.

Sum Up

Caution signs are important for safety purposes of the people. They warn people of possible hazards and serve as a reminder that extra care should be taken. The caution signs can be segregated into different categories which are as folows: prohibition signs, warning signs, mandatory signs, safe condition signs, exit signs, fire fighting equipment signs, and supplementary information signs. 

Caution signage also come in difference shapes: rectangular, circular, and triangular. Each shape entails different meaning and purpose. It is important that you are familiar with the shape and purpose of a caution for you to be aware of the message of the signage.

Lastly, you have to note that all signs should use graphic symbols or pictographs; a supplementary text is not a must. There are certain requirements for the features of pictograms which are as follows: appropriate colors, simplicity, the use of similar graphics, and understandable. 

 caution

noun

UK  /ˈkɔː.ʃən/ US  /ˈkɑː.ʃən/

caution noun (CARE)

片語

caution sticker小心屠夫

caution mark注意標志；小心標志

Label caution標簽

Caution Pedestrians注意行人

caution sign警告標志

caution zone警戒區

caution label警告標簽

with cautionad 慎重；留心

caution area危險區

caution against警告；告誡

Caution hanging謹慎掛

相似詞

alert警戒，警惕；警報；警戒期；（電子設備的）提示信號

admonition警告admonish告誡；勸告

threat威脅，恐嚇；兇兆

warn警告，提醒；通知

threaten威脅；可能來臨

great care and attention

謹慎，小心，慎重

We need to proceed with/exercise caution (= be careful in taking action, making decisions, etc.)

我們必須謹慎行事。

They treated the story of his escape with (some/great/extreme) caution (= thought that it might not be true).

他們對他逃跑的報道有些／相當／極為懷疑。

caution noun (WARNING)

[ C ] UK

a spoken warning given by a police officer or official to someone who has broken the law

（警察對違法者的）口頭警告

As it was her first offence, she was only given a caution.

由於是初犯，所以只給了她一個口頭警告。

告誡；警告，提醒

Just a word of caution - the cheaper models probably aren't worth buying.

只是提醒一句——便宜一點的型號很可能不值得購買。

caution noun (FOOTBALL) 

[ C ]

a punishment for breaking the rules in a football game in which the referee writes the player's name in a book and holds up a yellow card

（足球比賽中，裁判出示黃牌作出的）警告

同義詞

booking (punishment)

caution

verb [ T ]

UK  /ˈkɔː.ʃən/ US  /ˈkɑː.ʃən/

caution verb [T] (POLICE)

UK

If the police caution someone, they give them an official warning.

（警察）正式警告

C2 formal

to warn someone

告誡；提醒

The newspaper cautioned its readers against buying shares without getting good advice first.

報紙告誡讀者事先沒有獲得好的建議，就不要購買股票。

caution verb [T] (FOOTBALL)

If a football referee cautions a player, he punishes them for breaking the rules by writing their name in a book and holding up a yellow card.

（足球比賽中，裁判出示黃牌）警告

·         patience and caution are your advantages.

你的優點是堅持不懈和謹慎。

·         however, extreme caution must be observed in doing so as it could result in unexpected application behavior if not done properly.

不過，這樣做時必須格外小心，因為如果處理不當可能會導致意外的應用程序行為。

·         television broadcasters were warned to exercise caution over depicting scenes of violence.

電視臺受到警告，要求對暴力場面的描繪采取謹慎態度。

·         the emerging caution over numbers is perhaps only to be expected.

對數字顯露出來的謹慎可能完全是正常的。

·         「but years of observation of geochemistry have taught me that caution is wise,」 he says, "whether it be for the earlier claims on water or this latest work on chlorine isotopes.

「但是，多年來對地球化學的觀察讓我知道謹慎是明智的，」他說，「無論是這次對於氯同位素的研究還是早期對於水的研究都需要謹慎。」

·         only the worthy canadians – who benefit from american financial expertise and products but retain the thrift and caution appropriate to their chilly climate – are an exception to the general rule.

只有可敬的加拿大人是這個一般規則的例外——加拿大人得益於美國的金融專長和產品，卻保留了與寒冷氣候相稱的節儉與謹慎。

·         there was a note of caution for the treasury in the figures.

統計數字向財政部亮出了警告。

·         caution is needed, however.

然而，謹慎是必須的。

·         their caution has been richly rewarded.

他們的謹慎得到了很好的回報。

·         the italian did what generations of his managerial countrymen have done before him and opted for caution away from home.

這位意大利人所做的都是他的前輩教練已經做過的事，在客場做戰時都傾向於謹慎。

·         caution has been one of mr allan's watchwords.

「小心謹慎」是艾倫先生的座右銘。

·         and when one of you falls down he falls for those behind him, a caution against the stumbling stone.

當你們中的一個人跌倒，他是為后面的人失足，使他們小心避開絆腳的石頭。

·         extreme caution should be exercised when buying part-worn tyres.

購買部分磨損輪胎時要格外當心。

·         but such groups are also benefiting from the caution of those they are buying from.

但是這些集團也從那些公司賣主的謹慎上得到好處。

·         caution in blasting is most important within the immediate vicinity of buildings and installations.

在十分靠近建筑物和設備的地點爆破時，謹慎是最重要的。

·         unfortunately, however, americanized versions of these ethnic foods tend to be much higher in fat and calories – so caution is needed.

不過很可惜，這些民族食品的美國化口味傾向較高的脂肪和熱量，因此，謹慎是必要的。

·         caution i like in bankers – even boring.

我喜歡銀行家謹慎甚至乏味。

·         i suggest you use caution with this one.

對於這個方法我建議謹慎使用。

·         nevertheless, caution is needed.

然而，還是需要謹慎。

cautious

adjective

UK  /ˈkɔː.ʃəs/ US  /ˈkɑː.ʃəs/

a. 小心的，謹慎的，細心的

·         careful

·         , prudent

·         , wary

·         , ware

·         , scrupulous

·         , guarded

·         , precautionary

·         , watchful

·         , vigilant

·         , sleepless

·         , wakeful

·         , chary

·         , alert

·         , headful

·         , circumspect

·         , discreet

·         , on guard

Someone who is cautious avoids risks.

謹慎的，細心的，小心翼翼的

He's a cautious driver.

他開車很小心。

A cautious action is careful, well considered, and sometimes slow or uncertain.

經過仔細考慮的，斟酌過的

a cautious approach謹慎的方式

cautious criticism小心謹慎的批評

The old lady is very cautious with money. 那位老太太用錢很謹慎。

My nephew is a cautious investor. 我侄子是個小心謹慎的投資者。

·         you should be particularly cautious about drinking alcohol if you take methotrexate.

如果你服用甲氨蝶呤的話，還得對飲酒格外小心。

·         he was cautious of his footing, wary of the edge.

他小心翼翼地站在邊緣。

·         but cao said those who are considering getting a quick divorce should be cautious that the tactic does not backfire because the divorce might give an unhappy spouse a convenient exit.

然而，曹教授說那些考慮短時間內離婚的夫婦需要謹慎，策略也可能導致事與愿違的結果，因為離婚會給那些不愉快的夫婦一個方便出口。

·         he was even more cautious than ever, and did his utmost to win the trust and favour of the superior.

他更加謹小慎微， 兢兢業業， 以盡力取信討好其上司。

·         australia, put in to bat, made a cautious start.

輪到澳大利亞隊出場擊球，他們開始打得很謹慎。

·         being a cautious politician, however, he hedges his message with promises not to abolish all the rights of the bumiputra (「sons of the soil」), as his core malay constituency is called.

作為一個謹慎的政治家，但是，他在承諾的同時也提及遵照核心選民的意愿不廢除馬來西亞土著人（簡稱「大地之子」）所有權利。

·         employers may become overly cautious about taking on new staff.

雇主在雇用新職員時可能會變得過於謹慎。

·         if there is a flaw, it is that he is too cautious in some of his conclusions, shying away from saying outright what his narrative implies.

如果說該書有某種瑕疵，那就是作者在下某些結論的時候過於謹慎，不直接說明其所述事實的含義。

·         having outlined all his research, ong points out, in an equally cautious tone, that it could also be that early puberty triggers obesity.

王在總結了自己所有的研究后，以同樣謹慎的語調指出，也有可能是青春發育期提前引起肥胖。

·         he is a cautious person, so whatever he does, he is not only discreet but careful as well.

他是一個很謹慎的人，所以無論他在做什么的時候，總是小心翼翼，而又非常的細心。

·         people are more cautious because they know they can lose not just a friendship but a job.

人們會更謹慎，因為他們知道他們失去的可能不僅是友誼，甚至還有工作。

·         after several days of cautious sniffing about at the cagedoor, she began to investigate the world outside.

經過數天在籠門口謹慎的嗅來嗅去，她開始考察外面的世界了。

·         his critics write him off as too cautious to succeed.

批評他的人不把他當回事，認為他太過謹慎，不能成事。

·         however, as the more cautious of them admit, that cannot be verified until the animal experiments are scaled up to proper, long-term human studies which can verify their hypothesis.

但是正如他們當中比較謹慎的一派承認的那樣，只有將動物實驗上升到正確的、長期的人類研究，才能證實他們的推斷。

·         he was very cautious about committing himself to anything.

他謹小慎微，從不輕易表態。

·         you should be cautious of these distractions, but allow yourself the occasional distraction to break up your day.

對於這些讓人分心的事物你應該謹慎，但是你也要允許自己偶爾的分心去分解你的一天。

·         obviously, you should be cautious when modifying the existing configurations as they are shared by multiple components.

明顯地，在修改現有的配置時應該很謹慎，因為它們是由多個組件共享的。

·         a degree of cautious optimism is justified.

表現出一定程度的謹慎樂觀是合乎情理的。

·         to one degree or another, though, they said investors should be extremely cautious over the short term.

不過，他們表示，投資者或多或少都應對市場短期表現采取極為謹慎的態度。

·         doctors are understandably cautious about this new treatment.

醫生對這個新療法很謹慎是可以理解的.