Prohibitory (DON'T) Signs (PV)
Prohibitory Signs are SABS approved safety signs defined under South African National Standards (SANS) to indicate actions or behaviours that are not permitted in order to prevent unsafe conditions in workplaces and public environments.
The sizes and materials listed above reflect the standard options available for purchase. If you require a specific size, material, or specification not listed on our website, please contact us to discuss manufacturing options.
What these signs are used for
These signs are used to clearly indicate actions and behaviours that are not allowed, helping to prevent unsafe practices and reduce the risk of accidents or incidents. Typical applications include prohibitions on smoking, open flames, unauthorised access, mobile phone use, or other restricted activities.
How they are visually identified
These symbolic safety signs display a black pictogram on a white circular background, surrounded by a red border and a red diagonal line angled at 45 degrees. This colour and shape combination is defined by SANS safety signage conventions to ensure immediate recognition of prohibited actions across South African environments.
Materials and design proportions
The height, width, or diameter of the pictogram occupies between 75 percent and 90 percent of the corresponding dimensions of the backing sheet. Signs are manufactured in Chromadek steel or ABS plastic, depending on the intended installation environment.
Approved sizes
SABS approved sizes for safety signs are 150 × 150 mm, 190 × 190 mm, 290 × 290 mm, 440 × 440 mm, and 880 × 880 mm. In practice, industry usage has largely standardised on 190 × 190 mm and larger, as smaller sizes offer limited viewing distance and are uneconomical to produce.
These signs are manufactured in accordance with South African National Standards (SANS) and are aligned with internationally recognised safety signage principles, including ISO 7010 and ISO 3864.
Selection and compliance guidance
Correct selection and sizing is important to ensure prohibited actions are clearly visible and understood before exposure to risk. When correctly selected and installed, Prohibitory Signs support consistent enforcement of safety rules and alignment with SANS safety signage requirements.
Guidance and further reading
- For detailed guidance on prohibitory sign meanings, restricted actions, and symbol interpretation, refer to the Prohibitory Signs Explained guide.
- For a broader overview of safety sign categories, colour meanings, and selection principles, visit the Safety Signs Explained hub.
