Safety signs, first aid and spill kits
Safety sign shapes and colours (ISO 7010), first-aid kits in GB/NI (BS 8599-1) and Ireland (HSA), and which spill kit to choose.
- ISO 7010
- ISO 3864-1
- BS 8599-1:2019
Read this ifYou need safety signs, a first-aid kit or a spill kit
Safety signs: shape + colour
Learn the shape and colour and you can read any sign, even without words.
- Circle with bar · Red
Do not
e.g. no smoking
- Triangle · Yellow
Warning
e.g. danger nearby
- Circle · Blue
You must
e.g. wear gloves
- Square · Green
Safe way / first aid
e.g. first aid
- Square · Red
Fire equipment
e.g. fire extinguisher
Example signs from ISO 7010.
| Shape | Colour | Means |
|---|---|---|
| Circle with bar | Red | Do not |
| Triangle | Yellow | Warning |
| Circle | Blue | You must |
| Square | Green | Safe way / first aid |
| Square | Red | Fire equipment |
- Signs do not replace other controls. They warn about what is left.
- Official ISO 7010 symbols are copyright. Buy signs from licensed manufacturers.
First-aid kits - GB and NI
BS 8599-1 is best practice, not law. Your first-aid needs assessment decides (HSE L74).
| Hazard level | Fewer than | In between | More than |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low hazard (offices, shops, libraries) | 25 staff: 1 small kit | 25-100 staff: 1 medium kit | 100 staff: 1 large kit per 100 |
| Higher hazard (construction, warehousing, food processing, engineering) | 5 staff: 1 small kit | 5-25 staff: 1 medium kit | 25 staff: 1 large kit per 25 |
- BS 8599-1 is good practice, not law.
- The law says: do a first-aid needs assessment, then provide what it shows.
First-aid kits - Ireland
Ireland uses HSA guidance on the General Application Regulations 2007, Part 7 Ch.2 - not BS 8599-1. No medicines in first-aid boxes.
| Item | Travel kit | 1-10 people | 11-25 people | 26-50 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterile plasters, assorted | 20 | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Sterile eye pads (No. 16) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Triangular bandages | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Wound dressing medium (No. 8) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Wound dressing large (No. 9) | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Wound dressing extra large (No. 3) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Disinfectant wipes | 10 | 10 | 20 | 40 |
| Paramedic shears | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
- Ireland follows HSA guidelines, not BS 8599-1.
- No medicines (e.g. painkillers) in first-aid boxes.
Spill kits
- Grey
- White
- Yellow
- Red
Colour coding is common industry practice, not law.
- Oil only - floats on water, repels water.
- General purpose - oils, coolants, water-based liquids.
- Chemical - acids and alkalis. Check the safety data sheet.
- Body fluid - blood, vomit. Includes gloves and disinfectant.
The law
- Signs: Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
- First aid: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981; HSE L74 guidance.
- Spills: COSHH 2002 and environmental duties (oil storage rules in England).
- Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations (NI) 1996; Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations (NI) 1982. HSENI.
- EU ruleSafety Signs Directive 92/58/EECIrish lawGA Regulations 2007 Part 7 Ch.1 (regs 158-162)What you doprovide signs where risks remain; explain them.
- EU ruleFramework Directive 89/391/EECIrish law2005 Act + GA Regulations 2007 Part 7 Ch.2 (regs 163-166)What you dofirst-aid equipment, trained first-aiders, first-aid room where needed.
Shop Signs, first aid and spills
Frequently asked questions
Is BS 8599-1 a legal requirement?
No. BS 8599-1 is good practice, not law. The law says: do a first-aid needs assessment, then provide what it shows.
Can I keep painkillers in a first-aid box in Ireland?
No. Ireland follows HSA guidelines: no medicines (e.g. painkillers) in first-aid boxes.
What does a blue circle sign mean?
You must, for example wear protective gloves. Red circle with bar = do not. Yellow triangle = warning. Green square = safe way / first aid. Red square = fire equipment.
