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ISO R 408:1964
Safety colours
StatusWithdrawn
Year started1952 (1952)
First publishedDecember 1964 (1964-12)
Latest versionFirst Edition
OrganizationInternational Organization for Standardization
CommitteeISO/TC 80, Safety Colours
Related standardsISO/R 557:1967
SuccessorISO 3864:1984
Websitewww.iso.org/standard/4412.html

ISO R 408 was an ISO standard for safety colours. The objective of the standard was to prevent accidents and enable effective responses to emergency situations through the easy and rapid identification of dangers, as well as the location of critical safety equipment via specific designated colors.

Key design aspects

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ISO 408 had two primary components that it laid out guidance for, the colors used on safety signs, and what shape the sign should be.

Colours

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Four colors were specified in the standard using CIE chromaticity coordinates, along with a luminance factor. These colors were identified as 'Safety red', 'Safety yellow', 'Safety green' and 'Auxiliary blue'. Additionally, black and white were noted to be used as contrast colors, but color information was not provided.

Colour Meaning Applications
Red stop, prohibition
  • Stop
  • Emergency stop controls
  • Firefighting equipment
Yellow Danger,
hazard
Marking a hazard

Machinery guards
Hazard signage

Green Safety
  • Proceed/go signals,
  • Egress routes and places of refuge,
  • First aid equipment[a]
Blue Information Instructions,

Information boards,
non-safety related messages

Shapes

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ISO 557 had a simple three shape approach

Shape Message
Circle Prohibition
Equilateral Triangle Warning/Hazard
Rectangle/square Information/instructions

The draft of the standard was approved in 1962 by the 29 members, with none opposed to the standard.[1] The ISO Council accepted the recommendations of the committee in December 1964.[1]

ISO R 557:1967

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ISO/R 557:1967
Symbols, dimensions and layout for safety signs
StatusWithdrawn
Year started1956 (1956)
First publishedMarch 1967 (1967-03)
Latest versionFirst Edition
OrganizationInternational Organization for Standardization
CommitteeISO/TC 80, Safety Colours
Related standardsISO R 408:1964
SuccessorISO 3864:1984
Websitewww.iso.org/standard/4645.html

ISO R 557 was an ISO standard for safety symbols, and safety sign design. The objective of the standard was to define symbols for use with safety signs, provide specific designs for the shapes in ISO R 408, and describe the layout of the sign. It was intended to be a used with ISO R 408.[2]

ISO 577 would be unusual compared to subsequent versions of the standard, as it did not contain any symbol designs; only a list of the symbol's purpose (ex: Flammable material) and what it should look like (ex: A flame).[3] This left actual implementation and design up to end users: sign manufacturers, industries and national legislatures. The standard did state that symbols should strive for simplicity, omitting any excess detail not required to convey the message.[3] It was stressed that symbols design should not scare or upset the viewer through use of macabre elements.[3]

A list of 18 messages and symbol designs that were recommended.[3]

  • First Aid Equipment
  • Escape/directional arrow
  • Eye protection
  • Head protection
  • Respiratory protection
  • Hand protection
  • Flammable material
  • Explosive material
  • Toxic material
  • Corrosive material
  • Radioactive material
  • Electricity
  • Suspended loads
  • Falling objects
  • Dangerous temperatures
  • Risk of loss of balance, slipping or falling
  • Smoking prohibited
  • Open fire prohibited

In 1964 the draft was presented to the ISO Member Bodies, and ultimately approved by 23 members, with 3 members: Belgium, France and India, opposing approval of the draft.[4]

Notes

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  1. ^ Red could be used when authorized by a Red Cross/Red Crescent organization, and the group's emblem was being used instead.

References

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  1. ^ a b ISO 1964, pp. 2.
  2. ^ ISO 1967, pp. 3.
  3. ^ a b c d ISO 1967, pp. 4.
  4. ^ ISO 1967, pp. 2.

Bibigography

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  • "ISO R 408 - Safety Colours". iso.org. International Organization for Standardization. December 1964. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  • "ISO R 557 - Symbols, Dimensions and Layout for Safety Signs". iso.org. International Organization for Standardization. March 1967. Retrieved 11 January 2024.


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