Every workplace in South Africa that falls under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) is legally required to display safety signs — and those signs must comply with SANS 1186.
If you are a SHE representative, facilities manager, safety officer, or business owner, understanding SANS 1186 is not optional. Here is what the standard covers, why it exists, and what your workplace needs to be compliant.
What Is SANS 1186?
SANS 1186 is the South African National Standard for Symbolic Safety Signs. It defines the visual language that safety signs must use in South African workplaces: the correct colours, shapes, symbols, and minimum sizes for each category of sign.
The standard is published by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and is the South African adoption of the international standard ISO 7010. Signs that comply with SANS 1186 use internationally recognised symbols, which means they communicate hazard information even to workers who cannot read the local language.
SANS 1186 compliance is required under Regulation 9 of the OHS Act General Safety Regulations, which states that an employer must indicate hazards, prohibition zones, and safe areas by means of safety signs.
The 5 SANS 1186 Sign Categories
SANS 1186 organises safety signs into five distinct categories. Each category uses a specific shape and colour to communicate its meaning before the worker even reads the symbol.
| Sign Type | Shape | Background Colour | Symbol Colour | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warning | Equilateral triangle | Yellow | Black | Indicates a hazard or dangerous condition is present |
| Prohibition | Circle with diagonal bar | White | Red (circle/bar), Black (symbol) | Indicates actions that are not permitted in this area |
| Mandatory | Circle | Blue | White | Indicates an action that must be performed in this area |
| Safe Condition | Rectangle or square | Green | White | Indicates emergency exits, safe routes, and safety equipment locations |
| Fire Equipment | Rectangle or square | Red | White | Indicates the location of fire-fighting equipment |
1. Warning Signs
Shape: Equilateral triangle Colour: Yellow background, black border, black symbol
Meaning: A hazard or dangerous condition is present in this area.
Examples: High voltage, forklift area, flammable materials, wet floor, falling objects.
2. Prohibition Signs
Shape: Circle with a diagonal bar Colour: Red circle and bar, white background, black symbol
Meaning: An action is not allowed in this area.
Examples: No entry, no smoking, no mobile phones, no access for unauthorised persons.
3. Mandatory Action Signs
Shape: Circle Colour: Blue background, white symbol
Meaning: A specific action is required in this area.
Examples: Hard hat required, eye protection required, safety footwear required, wash hands.
4. Safe Condition Signs
Shape: Rectangle or square Colour: Green background, white symbol
Meaning: Indicates a safe condition, emergency exit, or the location of safety equipment.
Examples: Emergency exit arrows, first aid point, assembly point, eye wash station.
5. Fire Equipment Signs
Shape: Rectangle or square Colour: Red background, white symbol
Meaning: Indicates the location of fire-fighting equipment.
Examples: Fire extinguisher location, fire hose reel, fire alarm call point.
Photoluminescent SANS 1186 Signs
A photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) version is available for most SANS 1186 sign categories. These signs absorb ambient light and emit a green glow in darkness for up to 8 hours, with no batteries or wiring required.
Photoluminescent signs are particularly important for:
- Buildings without a reliable emergency generator
- South African workplaces affected by load shedding
- Underground areas and enclosed stairwells
- Buildings over four storeys, where SANS building regulations require photoluminescent exit marking
Minimum Sign Sizes Under SANS 1186
The minimum viewing distance determines the minimum size of a SANS 1186 sign:
| Viewing Distance | Minimum Sign Height |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 metres | 100mm |
| Up to 10 metres | 200mm |
| Up to 20 metres | 400mm |
| Up to 32 metres | 630mm |
Placing a 100mm sign at a 15-metre viewing distance means it is too small to be effective — and does not constitute compliant signage under an OHS Act inspection.
What OHS Act Compliance Looks Like in Practice
A standard SANS 1186-compliant workplace has:
- Warning signs at all active hazard zones (electrical panels, chemical storage, machinery areas)
- Prohibition signs at access control points and restricted areas
- Mandatory signs at entry points where PPE is required
- Emergency exit signs clearly visible from all parts of the building, especially stairwells and corridors
- Fire equipment signs on every fire extinguisher, hose reel, and fire alarm call point
All signs must be maintained in good condition. Faded, damaged, or covered signs are a non-compliance finding under any OHS Act inspection.
Common SANS 1186 Compliance Mistakes
The most common mistakes during OHS Act inspections relating to signage:
- Signs too small for the viewing distance — a 150mm sign in a 20m-wide warehouse.
- Wrong sign category used — a prohibition sign where a warning sign is needed.
- Emergency exits not signed at every junction — a worker evacuating should never have to guess which way to turn.
- Fire extinguisher signs missing — the extinguisher is there, but there is no backing board or overhead sign.
- Photoluminescent signs not used in required areas — stairwells and enclosed corridors in multi-storey buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SANS 1186 and does it apply to my business?▼
SANS 1186 is South Africa’s national standard for symbolic safety signs. It applies to all workplaces that fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act), which covers the vast majority of South African businesses, including manufacturing, construction, retail, hospitality and property management. If you employ people or have members of the public on your premises, SANS 1186 compliance is most likely a legal requirement.
What are the 5 categories of safety signs under SANS 1186?▼
The five SANS 1186 sign categories are: warning (yellow equilateral triangle), prohibition (red circle with diagonal bar on a white background), mandatory (white symbol on a blue circle), safe condition (white symbol on a green rectangle), and fire equipment (white symbol on a red rectangle). Each category uses a distinct shape and colour combination to communicate meaning before the symbol is read.
What is the difference between a prohibition sign and a mandatory sign?▼
A prohibition sign (red circle with diagonal bar on a white background) indicates that a specific action is not allowed in that area, for example no smoking or no entry. A mandatory sign (white symbol on a blue circle) indicates that a specific action is required, for example wearing a hard hat or safety footwear. The two categories have opposite meanings and must not be confused.
How large must a SANS 1186 safety sign be?▼
Sign size is determined by viewing distance. SANS 1186 requires a minimum sign height of 100mm for viewing distances up to 5 metres, 200mm for up to 10 metres, 400mm for up to 20 metres, and 630mm for up to 32 metres. A sign that is too small for its viewing distance is a non-compliance finding during a Department of Labour inspection.
Are photoluminescent exit signs required under SANS 1186?▼
Photoluminescent exit signs are required in certain building types under SANS 10400-T (South Africa’s fire protection standard), including buildings over four storeys and enclosed stairwells. They are also strongly recommended for any workplace affected by load shedding, as they emit a visible glow for up to 8 hours without any power source.
Can I make my own safety signs, or must they be purchased?▼
SANS 1186 specifies exact requirements for shape, colour, symbol and size. While the standard does not prohibit internally produced signs, self-made signs must meet all of these specifications to be considered compliant. In practice, purchasing SANS 1186-approved signs from a recognised supplier is the safest and most practical approach to OHS Act compliance.
Where can I buy SANS 1186 compliant safety signs in South Africa?▼
Dimple Safety stocks the full SANS 1186 range from its Booysens, Johannesburg warehouse. All signs are SANS 1186-compliant and available for same-day collection or nationwide delivery. Visit dimplesafety.co.za or call 011 493 3000.
Where to Buy SANS 1186-Approved Safety Signs in South Africa
Dimple Safety stocks the full SANS 1186 range from our Booysens, Johannesburg warehouse. All signs are SANS 1186-compliant and available for same-day collection or nationwide delivery.
Request a workplace signage quote: dimplesafety.co.za
📞 011 493 3000 📍 22 Fraser Street, Booysens, Johannesburg
