Warning signs have been used for ages to guide and inform people on the action they should take in the event of a variety of occurrences.
They can be used to give safety directions to prevent injury, damages and accidents.
They can also be used to prevent escalation of a situation such as fire, accident and heightened pollution.
Most warning signs abide by certain specific colour codes and patterns which are associated with distinct directions.
The colour is usually complemented by a pictogram or symbol that can be immediately perceived for the messages they give.
Warning signs are therefore used to warn people about the existence of danger, need to take precaution and extra care and things to avoid doing.
Here are some of the most common colours of warning signs used today.
• The red colour - Red is one of the most common warning sign colour used in modern environments including workplaces.
Red is used to indicate danger, alarm or prohibition on a certain activity.
It warns one on dangerous behaviours, indicates emergency call-out devices, stop or shut down, evacuation among others.
The red colour is usually a round shape in a white background and a pictogram.
There is also a red line running diagonally across the red circle to indicate a warning.
The red colour must not be lower than 35% of the entire area.
Red is also used in fire fighting equipment on a rectangular shape, red background and with white pictograms.
• Yellow and Amber - These two colours are also very common in warning signs and are mainly used to urge more precaution, examination and heightened carefulness.
Amber and yellow colours of warning signs are usually triangular with black borders and a black pictogram.
The yellow is a fill/foam colour that is within the black border and surrounding the pictogram.
The shade must therefore be at least 50% of the entire sign area.
• Blue colour - Blue warning colours are less popular than the others, but still very commonly used in many workshops and even roads.
They are basically for mandatory advice and requirement.
They warn people on the dangers of certain actions while clearly indicating the best practice set in place.
For example, blue warning signs are used to advise one to wear protective garment, shades or masks.
It is always circular in a blue background with a white pictogram.
Like amber, blue shade covers the entire circle minus the pictogram.
It should be not less than 50%.
• Green warning colour - The green warning sign is used for a variety of actions and occurrences that range from danger to normalization.
They are used in emergency doors and exits, first aid kit locations, equipment and facilities.
They are also used to indicate a return to normal.
They are usually rectangular or square with a white pictogram on a green background which should be at least 50% of the entire area.
Conclusion There are many other colours of warning signs used, including the yellow and black and red and white striped tapes.
Most of the colours, pictograms and signs have no text and readers can easily understand the language and communicated message.
There may be other colours used depending on the location.
However, the aforementioned ones are very popular, recognized and specified by the law.