Safety signs under ASR A1.3: signs, colours and duties in Germany
Red circles, yellow triangles, green escape arrows: safety signs warn, prohibit and show the way. When they are mandatory, what the colours mean and what matters when choosing and fitting them.
Last updated on 6 min readAMS Go editorial team
Key points at a glance
- Safety signs must be used if hazards cannot be avoided or sufficiently limited by technical or organisational measures – as shown by the risk assessment (Annex 1.3 of the Workplace Ordinance).
- What signs look like and how they are used is set out in the workplace rule ASR A1.3; the symbols correspond to ISO 7010.
- There are five types of safety sign with fixed shapes and colours: prohibition, warning, mandatory, emergency and fire safety.
- Signs must be clearly visible, large enough and permanently fitted. Employees are instructed on their meaning.
When are safety signs mandatory?
Under Annex 1.3 of the German Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV), the employer must use safety and health signs if hazards to employees' safety and health cannot be avoided or sufficiently limited by technical or organisational measures. The basis is the risk assessment.
Signs therefore do not replace protective measures but complement them: first the hazard is eliminated or reduced, then the remaining risk is pointed out. Requirements from other rules come on top – such as marking escape routes under ASR A2.3, fire extinguishers under ASR A2.2 or noise areas under the noise and vibration ordinance.
The five types of safety sign
Prohibition sign
Shape and colourRound, red border and red diagonal bar, black symbol on white
ExamplesNo smoking, no access for unauthorised persons
Warning sign
Shape and colourTriangular, yellow background, black border and black symbol
ExamplesWarning of electricity, of forklift trucks, of slippery surfaces
Mandatory sign
Shape and colourRound, blue background, white symbol
ExamplesWear ear protection, wear eye protection, wear safety footwear
Emergency sign
Shape and colourRectangular or square, green background, white symbol
ExamplesEmergency exit, first aid, assembly point
Fire safety sign
Shape and colourRectangular or square, red background, white symbol
ExamplesFire extinguisher, fire emergency telephone, fire hose reel
Supplementary signs with text or arrows complement a safety sign, for example to show the direction of the nearest emergency exit. They always appear together with a safety sign, never on their own.
Other forms of marking
Besides signs, ASR A1.3 covers other forms of marking:
- Marking obstacles and danger points with diagonal stripes – yellow and black for permanent, red and white for temporary obstacles
- Marking traffic routes, such as routes for forklift trucks
- Light and acoustic signals, such as alarm signals
- Hand signals, for example when guiding crane movements or vehicles
- Verbal communication with defined commands
Size, visibility and fitting
A safety sign only works if it is seen and understood in time. ASR A1.3 therefore defines how large signs must be depending on the viewing distance – the greatest distance from which they can still be reliably recognised. The appropriate sizes are given in tables in the ASR; illuminated, backlit and photoluminescent signs differ.
- Fit signs where they are clearly visible – not hidden by shelves, doors or goods
- Fit them at the danger point or at the entrance to the danger area
- Do not put too many signs next to each other – it reduces their effect
- Choose durable materials suited to the environment; where it can get dark, use illuminated or photoluminescent signs
- Replace or remove damaged, faded or no longer applicable signs
Emergency signs and escape routes
For escape routes and emergency exits, ASR A2.3 also applies. Emergency signs mark the course, changes of direction and exits of escape routes. Where there is a risk if the lighting fails, photoluminescent or illuminated signs or emergency lighting are needed.
Instruct and check regularly
Employees must know what the signs used mean and how to behave. This belongs in instruction – especially for new employees, agency workers and contractors. Inspections check whether the signs are still complete, visible and correct.
Checklist: safety signs
- Need for signs derived from the risk assessment
- Signs according to ASR A1.3 or ISO 7010
- Size suitable for the viewing distance
- Escape routes and emergency exits fully marked
- Fire extinguishers and first aid equipment marked
- Obstacles and danger points marked
- Employees instructed on the meaning
Free templates for this guide
As PDF and Excel, free – to use in your own company.
Frequently asked questions
What do the colours of safety signs mean?
Red stands for prohibition and fire safety, yellow for warning, blue for mandatory action and green for emergency escape and first aid.
Do safety signs have to be illuminated?
Not always. Where employees could be at risk if the general lighting fails, for example on escape routes, illuminated or photoluminescent signs or emergency lighting are needed. The risk assessment shows which solution fits.
Who is responsible for safety signs?
The employer. They define the signs based on the risk assessment and make sure they are fitted, maintained and explained to employees.
What is ISO 7010?
The international standard for the graphical symbols of safety signs. ASR A1.3 uses these symbols, so signs look the same in many countries.
Terms from the glossary
This guide gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.
Organise occupational safety digitally
With the occupational safety software AMS Go you handle risk assessments, safety instructions, inspections and more in one system – mobile and with AI support.
Newsletter
Occupational safety, straight to your inbox
New templates, guides and changes to regulations – free from AMS Go. The newsletter is in German. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in every email.
