The History of Health and Safety Signs in the UK

…and How Morelock Signs Carries the Torch — With ISO 9001 Quality & Strong Social Values

Health and safety signs are everywhere in modern Britain — from warehouses and offices to schools, construction sites, and public venues. But how did they become so standardised, and where does Morelock Signs fit into that story?

⚙️ The Early Days: No Rules, No Standards

1800s – Early 1900s
During the Industrial Revolution, Britain’s factories, railways, and mines operated with minimal formal guidance.
Signage was homemade, text-only, and inconsistent, leaving non-English speakers and low-literacy workers at risk.
Safety notices were optional and unenforced — signage was an afterthought.

🏭 A Shift Towards Safety — The 1960s & 70s

Factories Act 1961: First UK law to mandate certain safety notices.
BS 5378 (1970s): Britain’s first standard introducing colour coding and unified pictograms.
🔴 Red = Prohibition 🟡 Yellow = Warning 🔵 Blue = Mandatory 🟢 Green = Safe Condition
Morelock Signs has adopted these principles since its first day, shaping much of the visual language we still use today.

The History of Health and Safety Signs in the UK

📋 1974: The Game-Changer

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 placed a legal duty on employers to protect workers — including providing proper signage.
The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) gained enforcement powers.
Demand for compliant, high-visibility signs surged, and Morelock Signs expanded to meet that need.

🌍 European Alignment — The 1990s

Safety Signs & Signals Regulations 1996 transposed EU Directive 92/58/EEC into UK law, setting:

• Standard pictograms recognised across Europe
• Minimum size, colour-contrast, and placement rules
  Morelock Signs aligned every design and production workflow to keep customers effortlessly compliant.

📐 Modern Day: ISO 9001-Certified Quality Management

Morelock Signs operates under ISO 9001, the world’s leading quality-management standard.
That means every stage — from artwork approval to dispatch — is audited, documented, and continuously improved.
You receive consistent, reliable products with full traceability.

📊 Timeline at a Glance

🏁 Morelock Signs — Our Role Today

🌱 Our Social Values

1. Sustainability

• Recyclable or low-VOC materials whenever possible
• Energy-efficient print technology and waste-reduction initiatives

2. Local Employment & Skills

• UK-based manufacturing that creates jobs

3. Inclusive Design

• High-contrast options so everyone accesses vital information

✅ Conclusion

From handwritten “Danger” boards in Victorian factories to today’s standardised, high-visibility signage, UK safety signs have evolved dramatically.
Morelock Signs Limited, as a factory based in West Midlands in the heart of Industrial United Kingdom, honours that history by:

• Manufacturing under ISO 9001 certification for proven, repeatable quality
• Embedding social and environmental values in everything we do
• Compliant with HSE guidelines

Need guidance on the right signage for your site?
Contact our friendly team — we’ll deliver exactly what you need, exactly where and when you need it, so you can focus on safety with complete peace of mind.

The History of Health and Safety Signs in the UK