Overview
ISO/TS 20559:2020 - "Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Guidance for the development and use of a safety signing system" provides practical, system‑level guidance for creating and using safety signs to reduce risk. It complements the foundational sign design standards (ISO 3864 series, ISO 7010, ISO 16069, ISO 23601 and ISO 17398) and aligns safety signage with occupational health and safety management (ISO 45001). The specification focuses on how sign components work together as a consistent visual communication system to support evacuation, hazard awareness and the location of safety equipment.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Safety signing system components: guidance on evacuation route signage, fire equipment signs, safe‑condition signs (location of safety equipment/actions), accident‑prevention signs (warning, prohibition, mandatory), escape/evacuation plans, pipe and tank identification, safety markings and product safety labels.
- System selection plan: use of risk assessments and the hierarchy of controls to decide where and which types of signs are required; selecting sign content and materials; ensuring consistency across a site; removing outdated signs.
- Combination and supplementary signs: recommendations for combining graphical symbols with supplementary information and directional arrows (per ISO 3864‑3 and ISO 7010).
- Materials and performance: criteria for sign materials including luminous materials, and guidance on inspection, maintenance and lifecycle replacement.
- Installation considerations: display location, orientation, mounting height and sign size to ensure visibility and comprehension in normal and emergency conditions.
- Performance evaluation and documentation: inspection schedules, maintenance records and documentation practices to demonstrate conformity and continuous improvement.
Applications and Who Uses It
ISO/TS 20559 is relevant to:
- Safety professionals and EHS managers designing site‑wide signage programs.
- Facility managers, architects and engineers integrating safety signs into building and evacuation planning.
- Manufacturing, healthcare, transport and public venue operators implementing consistent hazard communication.
- Fire safety planners and emergency responders who depend on standardized signage for evacuation and equipment location.
Practical benefits include improved hazard recognition, streamlined emergency evacuation, regulatory alignment, and clearer communication across multinational workplaces.
Related Standards
- ISO 3864 series (design principles and colours)
- ISO 7010 (registered safety signs)
- ISO 16069 (evacuation route markings)
- ISO 23601 (escape and evacuation signage for buildings)
- ISO 17398 (safety signage in health care)
- ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety management)
Adopting ISO/TS 20559 helps organizations build a consistent, auditable safety signing system that supports risk reduction and effective emergency response.
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