Safety signs and warnings symbols and their respective meanings are unknown to the majority of people. Save for the most obvious ones, people aren’t likely to know that safety signage’s colors and shapes have specific meanings. Safety signage or health signs are commonly seen as sign boards or illuminated signages that show information or instruction regarding health and safety at work.
Safety signs usually give a specific warning to people who may be exposed to hazards, especially in the workplace. The warning or message that safety signs give are important in the prevention of accidents, and alerting people towards avoiding health hazards so it is important to know what they mean.
There are 4 important safety signs categories:
Prohibition, Warning, Mandatory and Emergency. Each of the four categories have color and shape that is specific to that category and Signsmart, custom safety signage maker in Australia has broken the categories down in an easy to understand infographic here:
Infographic Source: https://signsmart.com.au/quick-matrix-guide-for-safety-signs-and-meanings/