In Finland as well as in other parts of Europe, a growing concern is the proliferation of safety signs produced by general printing companies with little to no expertise in industrial labelling. These businesses, often focused on commercial graphics or promotional materials, lack the technical understanding required to create safety signs that comply with ISO 7010, the internationally recognized standard for safety signs.
Safety signs are not just visual aids, they are critical tools for protecting lives, guiding behaviour, and ensuring legal compliance in industrial environments.
ISO 7010 defines strict rules for the Graphical symbol, Geometric shape and Colour coding of each type of safety sign:
| Sign Type | Meaning | Color | Shape |
| Warning | Warn of hazard | Yellow | Triangle |
| Prohibition | Must not do | Red | Circle with slash |
| Mandatory | Must do | Blue | Circle |
| Safe Condition | Emergency/Safety info | Green | Square/Rectangle |
| Fire Safety | Firefighting equipment | Red | Square |
Unfortunately, many signs produced by non-specialist vendors violate these standards. For example, mandatory signs are sometimes printed with yellow backgrounds, a colour reserved for warning signs which can lead to confusion, misinterpretation, and serious safety risks.
With international workforces increasingly mobile across borders, standardized safety signage is essential. ISO 7010 was developed to ensure that safety messages are instantly recognizable and universally understood, regardless of language or cultural background.
Incorrect signage undermines this goal. It introduces ambiguity, increases liability, and can result in non-compliance with occupational safety regulations.
Many online shops and local printers claim to offer safety signage, but they often lack the certifications, experience, and technical knowledge required to produce compliant signs. These vendors may prioritize speed and cost over accuracy and safety and the consequences can be severe.
If your supplier doesn’t specialize in industrial labelling or understand ISO 7010, they shouldn’t be producing safety signs.
Signwell is a leading expert in the Nordics in industrial labelling and ISO 7010-compliant safety signage. We are deeply involved in maintaining and developing the standards for process labelling both onshore and offshore. Our team works closely with international standardization bodies to ensure our products meet the latest safety requirements.
We offer:
Explore our full range of safety signage and industrial labeling solutions on our official product page.
Safety signage is not an area where compromise is acceptable. Whether you’re managing a factory, a logistics hub, or an offshore platform, your signs must be clear, compliant, and universally understood. Don’t risk your workforce’s safety by purchasing from generalist vendors. Choose a partner who understands the standards, choose Signwell for your sign solutions.
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