GB/T 2893.3-2010Graphical symbols -- Safety colours and safety signs -- Part 3: Design principles for graphical symbols used in safety signs (English PDF)

4.1 Preparation stage

Before designing graphic symbols for safety signs, it shall:

a) Describe the information to be expressed by the graphic symbols, in detail and without error;

b) Confirm whether it is necessary to design new graphic symbols for safety signs (that is, confirm that no suitable graphic symbols currently exist) (see Chapter 5);

c) Clarify the safety information to be conveyed by the safety sign, which is formed by the graphic symbol;

d) First determine the characteristics of the target group, including the general skills and ability of the target group, to understand the safety information, which is conveyed by the specific safety sign; then design the graphic symbol for this target group;

e) Assign meaning and function to safety signs, in accordance with the provisions of

Chapter 6;

f) Determine the type of signs, which are required for the safety sign, according to the provisions of 7.1.

4.2 Design stage

4.2.1 Consideration should be given to whether the designed graphic symbol can also be used in other types of safety signs, as well as the resulting impact on the design of the symbol (for example, the influence of adding a negative straight bar to the graphic symbol originally designed for the instruction sign, on the design of the symbol; the influence on the design of the symbol, when the graphic symbol is used in the restricted space of the triangle of the warning sign, etc.).

4.2.2 The design of graphic symbols shall comply with the design criteria, which is specified in Chapter 7.

4.2.3 It should use the design guidelines, which are given in Appendix A.

A.1 General

Graphical symbols should contain only those symbolic details, which are necessary to convey the intended information. Graphical symbols should be designed to:

- Brevity, for ease of understanding and reproduction;

- Easily associated with its intended meaning;

- Based on publicly identifiable objects, concepts, actions, or combinations thereof;

- Easy to distinguish from other graphic symbols;

- Only include symbolic details, that help to understand the meaning of the graphic symbols.

When designing graphic symbols, for instruction signs, warning signs, safety condition signs or firefighting facility signs, the designer should pay attention to the fact, that the same symbol may also be used in a prohibition sign, to indicate a prohibited action.

When used in prohibition signs, part of the graphic symbol is obscured by a negative bar. Therefore, if the designed graphic symbol may be used in a prohibition sign, the designer should ensure that the critical details necessary to understand the safety sign are not located in the area, which is obscured by the negative bar, in the prohibition sign.

A.2 Image content of graphic symbols

The image content of a graphic symbol consists of graphic elements, that the symbol uses to convey predetermined information. All graphic elements are more or less abstract, they all describe a concept, object or meaning, in some abstract way. However, some symbols are easier to understand, because of their identifiable image content, mainly because these graphic symbols are more figurative in form. Therefore, where possible, the image content of graphic symbols shall be more figurative. This figurativeness can be achieved, by designing graphic symbols to depict specific safety information. Especially when the nature or location of the hazard is not immediately apparent, it is more appropriate to make a special description of the hazard, for example, for a "hazard" hidden inside the machine.

If the interaction with people is part of the information to be conveyed, it is better to draw the graphic elements of the person, in the graphic symbol. For example, Figure

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