The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 bring into force the EC Safety Signs Directive on the provision and use of safety signs at work. The Regulations cover a variety of ways of communicating health and safety information. When there is a hazard that has not been avoided or controlled by other methods, for example by industrial controls and secure structures of work, the Regulations call for employers to supply specific safety signs.

The installation of safety signs is part of an employer’s responsibility under the law to ensure, so far as is possible, their employees’ and the general public’s health, safety and welfare at work. There are a number of styles for safety signs. Blue circles are called "mandatory" signs. Yellow triangles are called "caution” signs. Red signs are called "fire safety" signs. They are used only for showing the location of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

Green signs are called "safe condition" signs. These signs can either tell people the location of certain safety equipment, such as first aid equipment and fire exits, or tell people that it is safe to do something in case of an emergency. Red circles with a diagonal line through a pictogram are called "prohibition" signs. You must not do whatever is shown on the sign. The fact that these signs have circles on them means that the instructions they contain must be followed.

Other signs may be used to point to toilets, et cetera. These can be any format you wish, but you must not be able to confuse them with safety signs. Note that a lot of safety signs do not require text. Symbols are used instead to give a multi-lingual sign. Use a blue mandatory sign for doors that need to be kept shut for fire safety reasons, for example those doors that are designed to hold back fire and smoke.

The Code of Practice for escape route signing states:

1. That a fire exit/exit sign with an arrow should be used where the escape route from a building is not obvious or uncertainty could occur.
2. Supplementary signs should indicate all changes in direction in passageways, staircases and open spaces forming part of the escape route.

In all types of premises it is crucial that selected escape routes can be readily recognised in urgent situations, particularly if they are thrown into darkness or if visibility is considerably reduced. Advances in light emitting diodes (LEDs) make these light sources among the most cost effective and energy efficient for illuminating exit signs. The first such emergency exit signs available in the UK were launched about six years ago. Known as "photo-luminescent," some signs are available in glow-in-the-dark finishes.

Apart from fire exit signs, you must have signs that show where your fire extinguishers are. You can add any other signs that you think you need depending on your circumstances. Certainly the best option for places of work is to use rigid plastic signs fixed with self-adhesive pads or screws. You might also need to display some posters that give people information about safety. Regardless of the language your employees and customers speak, all signs must be quickly understood.

In order for people to rapidly and effortlessly locate what they need in a crisis, every business owner must provide safety signs as part of their Health and Safety measures. In addition to the signs, under the new law, you will need to appoint a ‘Responsible Person,’ who will be required to do an adequate assessment of the risks from fire, record and take technical steps to minimise those risks.