Laws are regulations and/or rules issued by government agencies. Rules and regulations command or prohibit; they require us to perform an action or desired behavior in accordance with the provisions. Standards in themselves are not laws, rather best practices. Everyone can benefit from them. In business agreements, standards have an important function. They offer market parties clarity about and confidence in products, services or organizations and challenge society to innovate. Standards can be given the same status by reference in legislation. Blomsma Signs & Safety, with its knowledge and experience, is actively involved in the development and testing of new standards, keenly aware of the topicality, application and content of existing standards and laws for safety signage.
Depending on the application and sector, different standards and laws apply. In the great land of standards, considerable strides have been made in harmonization. The synchronization of symbols and design guidelines for both the ISO 3864, ISO 7010, ISO 24409, ISO 16069 and a technical specification ISO TS 20559 are telling examples of this. But with all the standards and laws out there, choosing the right one can be tricky. To give you an insight into the available and relevant laws and standards, we have compiled an overview.
Our overview shows the most important standards and laws to which Blomsma Signs & Safety conforms when executing safety signage projects. We have also written an explanation of a number of frequently occurring standards, which can be accessed via the relevant tiles.
Safety information for the contents of pipelines and tanks
International standard identification colors for the content of piping systems
Graphical symbols - Safety signs - Escape route marking systems
Graphical symbols - Safety colors and safety signs - Registered safety signs
Guidelines for the Evaluation, Testing and Application of Low Location Lighting on Passenger Ships
Identification of pipelines according to the substance transported in the pipeline
Ordinance on Workplaces
This regulation serves to implement the EC Directive 89/654 / EEC of the Council of 30 November 1989 on minimum requirements for safety and health protection in workplaces and the Directive 92/58 / EEC of the Council of 24 June 1992 on minimum requirements for health and safety signage at the workplace and Annex IV (minimum requirements for health and safety on construction sites) of Council Directive 92/57 / EEC of June 24, 1992 on temporary or mobile construction sites applicable minimum health and safety requirements.
To websiteWorking Conditions Decree Article 8.4
The Working Conditions Decree Chapter 8, Section 2, Article 8.4 describes the general requirements for health and safety signage.
To websiteWorking Conditions Regulations Chapter 8
Working Conditions Regulations Chapter 8 provides detailed implementing regulations for safety and health signs, supplementing the general requirements established in the Working Conditions Decree.
To websiteFloors
This ASR A1.5/1.2 specifies the requirements of the Ordinance on Workplaces within the scope of application. If the technical rules are complied with, the employer can insofar assume that the corresponding requirements of the ordinance are met. If the employer chooses a different solution, he must achieve at least the same safety and health protection for the employees. The annexes to this Technical Rule are based on BGR/GUV-R 181 “Floors in workrooms and work areas with slip hazards” of the subject area “Structural facilities and trade” in the specialist area “Trade and logistics” of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). The Committee for Workplaces has adopted the basic contents of the annexes to BGR/GUV-R 181 as ASR in its regulations in application of the cooperation model (cf. guideline paper1 on the reorganization of the body of rules and regulations in occupational safety and health of August 31, 2011).
To websiteEscape routes and emergency exits, escape and rescue plan
This workplace regulation specifies the requirements for the installation and operation of escape routes and emergency exits as well as the escape and rescue plan according to § 3a para. 1 and § 4 para. 4 as well as point 2.3 of the annex of the – 2 – – Committee for Workplaces – ASTA Management – BAuA – www.baua.de – Workplace Regulation in order to ensure the safe exit from the workplace in case of danger.
To websiteSafety lighting, optical safety guidance systems
This ASR applies to the installation and operation of safety lighting and optical safety guidance systems in workplaces. It gives examples of workplaces for which safety lighting or a safety guidance system may be required. It contains the lighting requirements for safety lighting and safety guidance systems as well as information on their operation.
To websiteDirective 1999/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1999
The ATEX 153 guideline (formerly ATEX 137) describes the safety requirements that employers or owners of ATEX installations are obliged to implement so that employees can work safely and healthily in environments with a risk of explosion. The directive is applied to the environment, the procedures and the instructions of employees and is included in the Health and Safety Act.
To websiteCouncil Directive 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992
Minimum requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at work.
To websiteRegulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
To websiteCouncil Directive 89/654/EEC of 30 November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace
This Directive, which is the first individual directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down minimum requirements for safety and health at the workplace, as defined in Article 2.
To websiteRoad Traffic Administrative Provisions Decree
In BABW Chapter II requirements are described regarding traffic signs, in Chapter IIa requirements are described regarding signage.
To websiteSafety and Health Protection Signage at the workplace
This accident prevention regulation serves to implement Council Directive 92/58/EEC on minimum requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at work.
To websiteSpecification for identification of pipelines and services
BS 1710 outlines the requirements for colours for identifying pipes conveying fluids in above ground and below ground installations. This includes ducts for ventilation and conduits used for carrying electrical services. Improved regulations from the water supply industry now require explicit content relating to different pipes, to avoid any form of contaminated drinking water.
To websiteOffshore Helicopter Landing Areas - Guidance on Standards
The CAP 437 includes regulations regarding platform identification signs, and requirements regarding the marking of obstacles that pose a danger to helicopters.
To websiteCodex on well-being at work
Transposition into Belgian law of European Council Directive 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992 on the minimum requirements for safety and/or health signs at work
To websiteDepartment of Energy & Climate Change - Standard Marking Schedule for Offshore Installations
The DECC 04/11 describes the requirements for the illuminated or retro-reflective identification panels for offshore structures, installations and vessels.
To websiteIdentification of pipelines according to the fluid conveyed
This German standard applies to the markings of non-installed pipelines according to the flow substance.
To websiteGraphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Part 1: Observation distances and colorimetric and photometric requirements
This German standard specifies safety colors and photometric requirements for illuminated and backlit safety signs used in workplaces and public areas for the purpose of accident prevention, fire protection, protection against health hazards and escape routes.
To websiteGraphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Part 2: Registered safety signs
This German standard specifies safety signs used for the purpose of accident prevention, fire protection, protection against health hazards and escape routes.
To websiteGraphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Part 4: Code of practice for the use of safety signs
This German technical report serves to supplement the basic standards for safety marking: DIN 4844 series of standards, DIN EN ISO 7010 series of standards, DIN ISO 3864 series of standards and DIN ISO 23601 series of standards. This technical report contains recommendations and explanations for the practical application of safety marking.
To websiteFire precaution regulation - Rules for drafting and placarding
The German DIN 14096 Fire Protection Regulations – Rules for the preparation and posting is a summary regulation for the behavior of persons within a building or company in case of fire as well as for measures to prevent fires.
To websiteHazardous Substances Ordinance
Ordinance on protection against hazardous substances (Ordinance on hazardous substances – GefStoffV) § 4 Classification, labeling, packaging.
To websiteGraphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Registered safety signs
This document prescribes safety signs for the purposes of accident prevention, fire protection, health hazard information and emergency evacuation.
To websiteSafety Instructions to passengers
The IMO Resolution A.691(17) describes the need to provide emergency instructions to passengers.
To websiteGraphical symbols for fire control plans
The IMO Resolution A.952(23) displays the graphical symbols for use on shipboard fire control plans.
To websiteEscape Route signs and equipment location markings
The IMO A.1116(30) provides signs to be used as location markings of fire-fighting safety equipment on board, required by SOLAS regulations II-2/15.2.4 (Fire control plans), II-2/13.3.2.5.1 (Marking of escape routes) and II-2/13.7 (Additional requirements for ro-ro passenger ships).
To websiteGraphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 2: Design principles for product safety labels
ISO 3864-2:2016 establishes additional principles to ISO 3864‑1 for the design of safety labels for products, i.e. any items manufactured and offered for sale in the normal course of commerce, including but not limited to consumer products and industrial equipment. The purpose of a product safety label is to alert persons to a specific hazard and to identify how the hazard can be avoided.
To websiteGraphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 4: Colorimetric and photometric properties of safety sign materials
ISO 3864-4:2011 establishes the colorimetric and photometric requirements and test methods for the colours of safety signs to be used in workplaces and public areas. It provides the colorimetric and photometric specifications for the named safety and contrast colours prescribed in ISO 38641. The physical requirements that safety signs have to meet are primarily related to daytime colour and normally lit environments. ISO 3864-4:2011 also includes the colorimetric requirements and test methods for safety signs and phosphorescent material which also operate in unlit environments.
To websiteGraphical symbols for use on equipment — Registered symbols
The ISO 7000 database provides a collection of graphical symbols which are placed on equipment or parts of equipment of any kind in order to instruct the person(s) using the equipment as to its operation. Each graphical symbol is identified by a reference number and contains a title, graphical representations in vectorized and non-vectorized formats, and some additional data as applicable, such as the function or the description of the symbol, the intended use, related symbols or publications.
To websiteGraphical symbols — Public information symbols
ISO 7001:2007 specifies graphical symbols for the purposes of public information. It is generally applicable to public information symbols in all locations and all sectors where the public has access.
To websiteGraphical symbols — Safety signs — Safety way guidance systems (SWGS)
ISO 16069:2017 describes the principles governing the design and application of visual components used to create a safety way guidance system (SWGS).
ISO 16069:2017 contains general principles valid both for electrically powered and for phosphorescent components. Special information which is related to the type of component is given to assist in defining the environment of use, choice of material, layout, installation and maintenance of SWGS.
Safety colours and safety signs — Classification, performance and durability of safety signs
ISO 17398:2004 specifies requirements for a performance-related classification system for safety signs according to expected service environment, principal materials, photometric properties, means of illumination, fixing methods and surface. Performance criteria and test methods are specified in ISO 17398:2004 so that properties related to durability and expected service life can be characterized and specified at the time of the product’s delivery to the purchaser.
To websiteSafety information for the content of piping systems and tanks — Part 2: Tanks
This document specifies a safety information system for tanks made by combining several elements onto a single marking to communicate health and hazard safety information and information in case of an emergency for the purpose of accident prevention.
To websiteWater safety signs and beach safety flags — Part 3: Guidance for use
This document gives guidance for the selection and use of water safety signs as specified in ISO 7010 and beach safety flags as specified in ISO 20712-2 in aquatic environments. It provides guidance on their location, mounting positions, lighting and maintenance. It also provides guidance on the design and location of multiple signs.
To websiteSafety identification — Escape and evacuation plan signs
This document establishes design principles for displayed escape plans that contain information relevant to fire safety, escape, evacuation and rescue of the facility’s occupants. These plans may also be used by intervention forces in case of emergency.
To websiteShips and marine technology — Design, location and use of shipboard safety signs, safety-related signs, safety notices and safety markings — Part 2: Catalogue
ISO 24409-2:2014 prescribes standardized signs and safety notices specifically for use on board ships. Each sign is categorized and indexed according to the safety message that is to be conveyed. Each sign is provided with relevant information on the preferred format of use, the context in which it is used and displayed as well as a description of the intended audience. The shape and colour required to be used for each sign, as prescribed by ISO 3864-4, are given together with the graphical symbols contained within each sign.
ISO 24409-2:2014 specifies the sign originals that may be scaled for reproduction and application purposes. It includes signs which require supplementary text signs to be used in conjunction with them to improve comprehension. This catalogue is intended to be under continual revision as new shipboard signs and notices are added and as new requirements are identified and corresponding safety signs and notices are developed and standardised. Where an ISO 7010 reference number is given in ISO 24409-2:2014 it means that the sign is identical to the one in ISO 7010.
To websitePublic information guidance systems — Part 2: Guidelines for the design and use of location signs and direction signs
ISO 28564-2:2016 gives a range of guidelines for various stages of preparation, design, construction, inspection, updating and testing which comprise a location sign or a direction sign used in public places and working areas.
To websitePublic information guidance systems — Part 3: Guidelines for the design and use of information index signs
This document specifies requirements and gives a range of guidelines for various stages of preparation, design, construction, inspection and updating that comprise an information index signs used in public places.
To websiteGraphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Guidance for the development and use of a safety signing system
This document serves to complement the basic standards for safety signs: the ISO 3864 series, ISO 7010, ISO 16069, ISO 23601 and ISO 17398, as well as ISO 45001. This document contains recommendations and explanations on the practical application of safety signs to form a system of communication intended to reduce risk.
To websiteSymbols for safety features on drawings and plans - Part 1: Evacuation plans and accessibility maps
NEN 1414-1 describes the representation of escape routes and safety facilities on evacuation and accessibility maps. This standard also contains requirements for the layout and design of evacuation plans and accessibility maps. This standard applies to evacuation plans and accessibility maps of buildings, public facilities, technical installations and factories.
To websiteGuidelines Marine Signs
The 2008 Waterway Guidelines provide the framework for waterway authorities for uniform placement and application of shipping signs.
To websiteTraffic Rules and Signs Regulations
Appendix 1 of the RVV 1990 contains an overview of the traffic signs used in the Netherlands for traffic signs.
To websiteRoad Traffic Regulations
The German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) regulate and guide public traffic.
To websiteClassification and labeling for activities with hazardous substances
The Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) reflect the state of the art in technology, occupational medicine and industrial hygiene, as well as other established occupational science findings for activities involving hazardous substances, including their classification and labeling. They are determined or adapted by the Committee for Hazardous Substances (AGS) and published by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in the Joint Ministerial Gazette.
To websiteThe Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995
Regulation 19 requires the duty holder of an offshore installation to provide clearly legible identification when approaching by sea or air.
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