SS 508 & ISO 7010 Safety Signs in Singapore: Complete Compliance Guide
Everything Singapore employers, WSH officers, and procurement teams need to know about legally compliant workplace safety signs — colours, shapes, standards, and MOM requirements.
Why Safety Sign Compliance Matters in Singapore
Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA, Cap. 354A) and its subsidiary regulations, every employer in Singapore has a legal duty to ensure that workplace hazards are clearly communicated — and safety signs are one of the primary tools for doing this.
Displaying the wrong signs, missing signs where required, or using non-compliant signage can result in:
- Enforcement action and fines from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
- Failure of SCDF fire safety inspections
- Increased legal liability in the event of a workplace accident
- Disqualification from government contracts under stricter bizSAFE requirements (see 2026 update)
Safety signs do not replace engineering controls or safe work procedures — they supplement them. A sign is required wherever a hazard cannot be fully eliminated.
What is SS 508?
SS 508 is Singapore’s national standard for Graphical Symbols — Safety Colours and Safety Signs, published by Enterprise Singapore. It specifies the safety colours, shapes, design and legibility requirements, and minimum sign sizes.
SS 508 is technically a voluntary standard, but in practice it is the benchmark referenced by MOM and SCDF inspectors. Using SS 508-compliant signs is the safest way to pass inspections and demonstrate due diligence under the WSH Act.
When sourcing safety signs, always request confirmation that products are SS 508-compliant and ask for the relevant certification. All signs on safetysigns.sg carry this compliance.
What is ISO 7010?
ISO 7010 is the International Organization for Standardization standard that defines specific registered safety symbols (pictograms) used worldwide. It covers prohibition signs, warning signs, mandatory action signs, emergency escape signs, and fire safety equipment signs.
ISO 7010 symbols are designed to be universally understood regardless of language — critical in Singapore’s multilingual, multicultural workforce. Signs manufactured to ISO 7010 pictograms are generally accepted as compliant with SS 508 in Singapore.
SS 508 vs ISO 7010 — What’s the Difference?
SS 508 defines the rules (colours, shapes, sizes, design principles) for Singapore. ISO 7010 defines the specific pictograms (symbols) to use within those rules. Most high-quality safety signs sold in Singapore comply with both.
Safety Sign Colours Explained
Under SS 508 and ISO 7010, every colour carries a precise, legally defined meaning. Using the wrong colour can cause confusion and may not be considered compliant.
Prohibition & Fire Safety. Stop, Do Not, No Entry, Fire Equipment.
Warning & Caution. Hazard ahead, proceed with care.
Safe Conditions & Emergency. Exits, First Aid, AEDs, Assembly Points.
Mandatory Actions. PPE requirements, compulsory instructions.
The 5 Safety Sign Categories Under SS 508 / ISO 7010
1. Prohibition Signs
Shape: Circle with a red border and diagonal red bar, on a white background.
Meaning: This action is forbidden.
Common examples: No Entry, No Smoking, No Mobile Phones, No Unauthorised Personnel.
Where required: Any area where a specific action creates a safety or fire risk.
2. Warning Signs
Shape: Equilateral triangle with yellow background, black border, and black pictogram.
Meaning: A hazard is present — proceed with caution.
Common examples: Wet Floor, High Voltage, Flammable Material, Falling Objects, Forklift Area.
Where required: Anywhere a physical or chemical hazard exists that workers may encounter.
3. Safe Condition & Emergency Signs
Shape: Square or rectangle with green background and white pictogram.
Meaning: Direction to safety or emergency facilities.
Common examples: Emergency Exit, First Aid Kit, AED Location, Assembly Point, Emergency Shower.
SCDF requirement: Emergency exit signs must be photoluminescent in most Singapore commercial and industrial buildings.
4. Mandatory Action Signs
Shape: Circle with blue background and white pictogram.
Meaning: This action is compulsory.
Common examples: Safety Helmet Must Be Worn, Eye Protection Required, Safety Boots, High-Vis Vest Required.
Where required: At all entry points to areas where PPE use is compulsory.
5. Fire Safety Equipment Signs
Shape: Square or rectangle with red background and white pictogram.
Meaning: Location of fire safety equipment.
Common examples: Fire Extinguisher, Fire Hose Reel, Fire Alarm Call Point, Fire Blanket.
SCDF requirement: Fire safety equipment must be clearly marked under the Fire Safety Act.
Quick Reference: SS 508 Safety Sign Colour Chart
| Colour | Category | Shape | Common Examples | Key Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Red | Prohibition | Circle + diagonal bar | No Entry, No Smoking | WSH Act / SS 508 |
| 🟡 Yellow | Warning | Triangle | Wet Floor, High Voltage, Forklift Zone | WSH Act / SS 508 |
| 🟢 Green | Safe Condition / Emergency | Square / Rectangle | Emergency Exit, First Aid, AED | Fire Safety Act / SCDF |
| 🔵 Blue | Mandatory | Circle | Hard Hat Required, Safety Boots | WSH Act / SS 508 |
| 🔴 Red | Fire Equipment | Square / Rectangle | Fire Extinguisher, Hose Reel | Fire Safety Act / SCDF |
Which Safety Signs Does Your Workplace Need?
The signs required depend on the hazards in your workplace Risk Assessment (RA). Most Singapore workplaces need at minimum:
General Workplace (Office, Retail, F&B)
- Green photoluminescent emergency exit and directional signs (SCDF)
- Red fire extinguisher and fire alarm location signs
- No Smoking signs at building entry
- First aid kit location signs
Construction Sites
- All of the above, plus:
- Blue mandatory PPE signs at site entry
- Yellow warning signs for overhead work, excavations, moving machinery
- Red prohibition signs for restricted zones
- Multilingual signs where required
Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities
- All general workplace signs, plus:
- Chemical hazard warning signs (yellow)
- Electrical hazard warning signs near switchboards
- Forklift operating area warning signs
- Mandatory PPE signs per zone
- Emergency shower and eyewash station signs (green)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SS 508 and is it mandatory in Singapore?
SS 508 is the Singapore Standard for Graphical Symbols — Safety Colours and Safety Signs. It specifies the colours, shapes, and design principles for all workplace safety signs in Singapore. While technically a voluntary standard, SS 508 is the recognised benchmark used by MOM and SCDF inspectors, and using SS 508-compliant signs is the safest way to pass inspections and demonstrate due diligence under the WSH Act.
What is ISO 7010 and how does it apply in Singapore?
ISO 7010 is the international standard defining specific registered safety symbols (pictograms) used worldwide. In Singapore, ISO 7010 symbols align closely with SS 508. Safety signs complying with ISO 7010 pictograms are generally accepted as SS 508-compliant and suitable for MOM and SCDF inspections.
What do the different safety sign colours mean in Singapore?
Under SS 508 and ISO 7010: Red = Prohibition and Fire Safety. Yellow = Warning and Caution. Green = Safe Conditions and Emergency. Blue = Mandatory Actions (PPE requirements). Using the wrong colour is not SS 508 compliant.
Which safety signs are legally required in Singapore workplaces?
Under the WSH Act, employers must display safety signs wherever a hazard cannot be fully eliminated. At a minimum: green photoluminescent emergency exit signs (SCDF), red fire equipment signs, blue mandatory PPE signs, red prohibition signs, and yellow warning signs for identified hazards. Construction sites have additional requirements under WSH (Construction) Regulations.
Are photoluminescent safety signs required in Singapore?
Yes, in many applications. SCDF requires photoluminescent emergency exit and directional signs in most commercial and industrial buildings under the Fire Safety Act. These must remain visible after power failures — critical during fire evacuations. For most Singapore premises, photoluminescent green exit signs are mandatory, not optional.
What is the difference between a warning sign and a prohibition sign?
A warning sign (yellow triangle) alerts people that a hazard exists. A prohibition sign (red circle with diagonal bar) tells people what action is forbidden. Both may be needed in the same location — e.g., a High Voltage warning sign plus a Do Not Touch prohibition sign at an electrical panel.
Can safety signs include text as well as pictograms?
Yes. Text should supplement the pictogram, not replace it. If text is added, use English and the languages of your workforce (Mandarin, Malay, Tamil), in a clear sans-serif font with high contrast. Signs with text only and no pictogram are generally not SS 508-compliant.
How do I know what size safety sign I need?
SS 508 specifies minimum sizes based on viewing distance. General guide: up to 10m viewing distance = 200mm sign height; up to 20m = 400mm. For large warehouses or critical emergency exits, use larger formats. A sign too small to read clearly does not fulfil its legal purpose.
Where can I buy SS 508 and ISO 7010 compliant safety signs in Singapore?
All safety signs at safetysigns.sg are manufactured to SS 508 and ISO 7010 standards, with full MOM and SCDF compliance. We stock workplace signs, construction signs, fire safety signs, mandatory PPE signs, prohibition signs, and photoluminescent exit signs. Island-wide delivery in 3–7 business days. Bulk discounts available.
Browse Compliant Safety Signs by Category
Construction Safety SignsMOM WSH Act compliant
Fire Safety SignsSCDF & Fire Safety Act compliant
Mandatory PPE SignsBlue circle — ISO 7010
Prohibition SignsRed circle — ISO 7010
Photoluminescent Exit SignsSCDF-compliant glow signs
Warning SignsYellow triangle — ISO 7010
Custom Safety SignsYour wording, compliant design
Ready to Make Your Workplace Compliant?
Every sign at safetysigns.sg is SS 508 and ISO 7010 certified — so you pass MOM and SCDF inspections without guesswork. Island-wide delivery in 3–7 business days.