You see safety signs in your school every day, but do you know why they are placed here? Actually, your school is full of kids, tools, play areas and busy halls. Therefore, a small mistake can turn into a big problem.
This short article will tell you about school safety signs and symbols. You will also find which signs are required inside or outside of your school.
Required Signage For Schools
There are many sign boards that you place in your school. These signs can be informational, manadatory & regulatory as well. Basically, informational signs are installed for visitors and parents. Because they are unaware about the path. On the other hand, regulatory sign boards are used to warn about the upcoming dangers.
Roadside Safety Signs
You may see many safety signs on the main road of a school. Well, they are here for the safety of your kids. Therefore, you have to follow them according to their shape and text written on them.
- School Zone Sign: This is a yellow sign board with a pentagon shape. It tells you that there is a school on the way. So, you have to be very careful, you may face children on the road. There is a figure of children or text “School Zone” on the sign board.
- Crossing Guard Ahead Sign: School authorities also place this type of sign board on the road. This sign board is placed exactly on the spot where a guard helps students to cross the road. Sometimes, guards use a stop sign board or safety flag in their hand to warn drivers.
- Student Crossing: You get this type of sign board on the exact student crossing spot. You will also notice white lines or yellow reflective markings near this sign board. So, when you see it, you should slow down your speed and watch for the kids.
- Slow Down School Zone Sign: Slow down or speed limit school sign boards are also installed near schools. Because a student can suddenly come in your way. Therefore, speed limit sign boards are used to reduce the risk of accidents. These are yellow or green rectangular signs aboard that show a specific speed limit.
- Stop Sign School Bus: You may see this stop sign board near the bus stops where buses pick up and drop off students. Sometimes, a red top sign is also placed on the school buses to warn drivers from a distance. Because such buses stop at multiple spots to pick up students.
- No Horn Sign: Usually, you see a red circle sign board with a crossed horn icon on it. Actually, this sign board prohibits you from honking near the school. You may also find this sign board near hospitals, courts and residential areas.
- No Trespassing Sign: Sometimes, you encounter a trespassing sign on the gate of the school. Well, it is placed to inform you that unauthorized people are not allowed in the school. This is also used for the protection of children and staff.
Warning Signs in School
As you know, there are many dangerous places in schools. So, warning sign boards are installed to inform the students and visitors about them.
- Hazard Signs: This is a universal pictogram-shaped sign board. It tells you about the presence of potential danger. You can encounter such symbols near electrical hazards, dangerous chemicals plus radiation risk in your school.
- Emergency Signs: In case of emergency, you also need guidance. Therefore, sign boards near fire extinguishers & first aid rooms are installed on your clear view.
- Evacuation Signs: These are informational sign boards. They tell you about the emergency routes like fire exits and emergency evacuations. So, when you encounter them, always keep the route in your mind and follow.
School Workshop Safety Signs
When it comes to school workshop signs they use color codes for quick response. For example red for prohibition, yellow for warning, blue for mandatory actions and green for emergency exits. Furthermore, red and white inform you about equipment and guidelines.
- Machine Hazard Signs: When you attend any workshop in school you encounter many dangers. Because there are many machines or equipment that are active. So, when you see this sign board, be careful of sharp objects and machines.
- Noise Warning Sign: This is a PPE sign board. You find this sign near machines or tools where loud noise hurts you. So, it guides you to protect your ears before you enter the area. You get a blue colored sign board for this warning.
- Wear PPE Sign: You see this sign at the gate because your safety starts from the gate. It tells you to use your gloves, helmet, mask or goggles before you touch any tool. Because, the machines stay loud and sharp. So your eyes, ears & hands need full safety.
- No Food and Drink Sign: As we have discussed, school workshops are full of machines, chemicals, dust and hazardous material. So, you can’t eat food and drink juices or water. When you see this sign, keep your snacks outside.
Laboratory Safety Signs
Each school has its own laboratories where you do experiments and practical work. But these places also come with some risks. This is why you see warning boards inside or outside of laboratories.
- No Open Flame Sign: It means that you can’t take anything in the lab that can create flame (cigarette, lighter, matches and candles). The reason is flammable material, which can catch fire.
- Chemical Hazard Sign: In chemistry labs, you work with a wide range of chemicals. Some chemicals may pose danger for your skin, eyes or lungs. So, you should handle chemicals with care when you see such a sign board.
- Eye Protection Sign: Splashes of dangerous chemicals can affect your sight very badly. This is why eye protection signs are used in labs. When you encounter such a sign board, wear your safety glasses first.
- Electrical Hazard Signs: You may know there are many power machines and equipment in the labs that use high voltage to work. These machines are useful as well as risky for students and staff members. Therefore, a yellow warning sign is installed to alert you about the high voltages.
Classroom Safety Signs
In your classrooms, there are many signs that are used to inform you about some basic rules and regulations. For instance no mobile, no food and drink, no smoking, be silent or do not touch plugs and sockets. Usually, these signs are designed in blue and white color with figures and text on them.
Playground Safety Signs
The playground is the central portion of schools, where students get many injuries. Therefore, you must place safety boards to organize students. Like, you can install safety signs like no running, no jumping, slippery place, wet ground, no bare feet etc.
School Directional Signs
As its name shows, these sign boards are used to direct you when you enter a school. Usually, the symbol of arrows are used for this purpose. For example, when you enter a school, first of all you see the direction for the clerks office.
In this way, assembly ground, playground, staff room, classes these all spots are directed with arrows. Basically, these signs are placed for new students, visitors & parents that do not know the path.
School Office Signs
This sign is used as a name plate or identification of the principal’s office or manager’s sitting place. Because any visitor or new students have to meet higher authorities. Therefore, this sign board is placed outside the office of your principal.
School Parking Lot Sign
Each school has its own parking lot where school buses and student’s vehicles are parked. So, to avoid unauthorized vehicles sign boards like “School Parking” or “Only For Students” are installed.
So, as an outsider you should not stop your car here. Because you can face legal consequences. That’s why, you may also find safety barriers in school parking lots to set clear boundaries.
Safety Signs Standards For School
Safety sign rules stay the same in many countries. Because ISO 7010 and ANSI Z535 set the colors, shapes, symbols and text. According to these regulatory bodies;
- A red circle tells you what to avoid or things that are prohibited.
- A triangle in yellow color represents a hazard. And mostly you see words like “Naked Wires” or “High Voltage” on it.
- When you see a blue circle it gives you guidelines that you have to follow. For example: “Wear Your Safety Vest” or “Wear Safety Glasses”.
- In the case of a green shape, it tells you about the safe space or exit. Because green color is the sign of peace and safety.
School Safety Sign Suppliers
Our company JACKWIN manufactures high quality safety signage for schools worldwide. We have the experience of 18 years with 20000 plus customers. We offer you a wide range of options in different shapes and materials.
Each sign board is designed according to OSHA, ANSI & ISO standards. Furthermore, we also provide customized safety signs for your private sectors. So, if you need more details, let’s talk to our team.
To Conclude
These are the common sign boards that you may see in schools. We tried to clear the meaning and shape of each sign board. And hope you understood why they are needed in your school and at which place. Contact us if you want to buy all school safety signs at factory rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often do Schools Update Safety Signs?
You have to change your safety sign at least one time in a year. But in case of a sudden change in rules you have to replace your sign immediately. In addition, when a new risk arrives like a pandemic, you must place sign boards.
Do School Safety Signs Reduce Accidents?
Yes, school safety signs reduce many accidents because they warn you fast. Some studies show that good signs reduce accidents up to 80%. Especially, when signs use reflective material or LEDs.
More helpful articles:
An Ultimate Guide To Stop Sign Rules
Road Sign Meaning and Types: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding Safety Sign Types, Regulations and Applications
