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Home › Safety Signs Explained › Warning signs

A Plain Guide to Warning (Hazard) Signs

Yellow triangle signs alert people to a hazard before they get close to it, whether that’s live wiring or forklifts on the move.

What warning signs tell you

A yellow triangle with a black border and black symbol flags a hazard. South African catalogues often list these under WW codes in SANS 1186. The triangle points upwards, and its colour is picked so it stands out from far away.

!

General warning

An exclamation mark: a general hazard that has no specific symbol.

!

Electrical hazard

A lightning bolt: a risk of electric shock.

!

Forklift trucks

Vehicles moving through the area.

Common warning signs and where to put them

WarningTypical places
Electrical hazard / high voltageDistribution boards, substations, transformers and generator rooms
Forklift trucksWarehouses, loading bays, aisles and pedestrian crossing points
Slippery floorKitchens, wash bays, and entrances on wet days
Corrosive or toxic materialsChemical stores, cleaning cupboards, labs, battery rooms
Flammable materialFuel stores, paint stores and gas cylinder cages
Hot surfaceKitchens, boilers, pipework, presses and heat-producing machines
Overhead load / craneWorkshops and yards that have cranes or hoists
Tripping hazard / uneven floorSteps, ramps and level changes
Guard dogs / electric fenceGates, walls and perimeter fencing

Tips for using warning signs well

  • Put the sign where people spot it before they reach the hazard, not right on top of it
  • Avoid crowding a wall; too many signs in one spot tend to be ignored
  • Add a text panel for visitors and contractors who might not recognise the symbol
  • Pair it with a mandatory sign when the hazard calls for PPE, for example “electrical hazard” plus “wear insulating gloves”
  • Replace faded signs; yellow fades in direct sunlight, so choose UV-resistant material for outdoor use

Questions we are often asked

What do yellow warning signs stand for?

A yellow triangle with a black border flags a nearby hazard. It doesn’t tell you what to do; it simply reminds you to take care.

How does a warning sign differ from a prohibition sign?

A warning sign (yellow triangle) points out a danger. A prohibition sign (red circle with a bar) tells you that an action is not allowed.

Can I add my own text below a warning sign?

Yes. A supplementary text panel, such as “Danger: high voltage” or “Forklifts operating”, helps visitors understand the symbol. We print symbol-and-text combination signs to order.

Which warning signs should an electrical board have?

At minimum, an electrical hazard warning sign. Many sites also add a “Danger: authorised persons only” sign and an electrical shock first aid poster. Your electrician or safety officer can confirm.

Order Your Safety Signs Now

Express Print produces SABS-style safety signs on ABS, aluminium, Chromadek, Correx and photoluminescent vinyl from Rivonia, Johannesburg. Send us the sign codes and sizes and we will give you a quote.

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