Overview
ISO 7010:2019/Amd 3:2021 is an official amendment to the ISO 7010:2019 standard, published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This amendment introduces newly registered safety signs to enhance visual communication for safety, specifically including symbols related to emergency evacuation, lifesaving equipment, and fire safety. Implementing ISO 7010 ensures that workplaces, public spaces, and transport environments communicate hazards and emergency instructions clearly and consistently, reducing confusion and promoting safety for everyone, regardless of language or reading skills.
Key Topics
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New Registered Safety Signs: Amendment 3 adds four key safety symbols to the existing ISO 7010 catalogue:
- E067: Evacuation mattress
- E068: Lifebuoy with light and smoke
- E069: Person overboard call point
- F019: Unconnected fire hose
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Function and Hazard Communication: Each symbol is designed to indicate the precise location of critical safety or emergency equipment, aiming to prevent the hazard of not being able to locate essential lifesaving or firefighting devices.
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Comprehension and Supplementary Text: As test data for understanding these new symbols per ISO 9186-1 is not available, it is recommended to provide supplementary text signs, especially where staff may be unfamiliar with the signs without additional training or instruction materials.
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Graphical Consistency and International Recognition: These symbols help promote harmonization of safety signage across international borders, supporting global workplace safety compliance.
Applications
Adopting the new safety signs from ISO 7010:2019/Amd 3:2021 offers practical benefits in a variety of settings:
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Workplaces: Industrial and commercial facilities use these safety signs to mark the precise position of evacuation mattresses, life-saving equipment, and fire hoses, improving emergency response.
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Transport and Marine Environments: Ferries, ships, and offshore platforms rely on globally recognized symbols, such as the lifebuoy and person overboard call point, to facilitate rapid lifesaving actions and ensure the safety of crew and passengers.
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Public Spaces: Buildings open to the public, including hospitals, hotels, and sports venues, benefit from standardized safety colours and signage to guide occupants during emergencies.
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Compliance and Auditing: Organizations seeking compliance with workplace safety regulations and international standards can use the new symbols to meet updated legal and insurance requirements.
Related Standards
For comprehensive safety communication, the following related standards and references should be considered alongside ISO 7010:2019/Amd 3:2021:
- ISO 7010:2019 - The foundational standard for graphical safety symbols and safety colours.
- ISO 3864-4 - Guidance for colorimetric and photometric properties of safety colours, crucial for accurate colour reproduction.
- ISO 9186-1 - Testing the comprehensibility of graphical symbols, which supports the supplementary text requirement for new signs.
- ISO/TC 145 - The ISO technical committee responsible for graphical symbols and safety identification standards.
Integrating these standards ensures a holistic and compliant approach to safety communication, enabling organizations to implement clear, effective, and internationally recognized safety signs.
Implementing ISO 7010:2019/Amd 3:2021 in safety management systems helps organizations maintain high safety standards, reduce risk, and support a safer environment for all users.