User:The Navigators/ISO R 557

ISO R 408 was an ISO standard for safety colours. The objective of the standard was to prevent accidents and enable effective responses to emergency situations through the easy and rapid identification of dangers, as well as the location of critical safety equipment via specific designated colors.

Key design aspects
ISO 408 had two primary components that it laid out guidance for, the colors used on safety signs, and what shape the sign should be.

Colours
Four colors were specified in the standard using CIE chromaticity coordinates, along with a luminance factor. These colors were identified as 'Safety red', 'Safety yellow', 'Safety green' and 'Auxiliary blue'. Additionally, black and white were noted to be used as contrast colors, but color information was not provided.

Shapes
ISO 557 had a simple three shape approach

The draft of the standard was approved in 1962 by the 29 members, with none opposed to the standard. The ISO Council accepted the recommendations of the committee in December 1964.

ISO R 557:1967
ISO R 557 was an ISO standard for safety symbols, and safety sign design. The objective of the standard was to define symbols for use with safety signs, provide specific designs for the shapes in ISO R 408, and describe the layout of the sign. It was intended to be a used with ISO R 408.

ISO 577 would be unusual compared to subsequent versions of the standard, as it did not contain any symbol designs; only a list of the symbol's purpose (ex: Flammable material) and what it should look like (ex: A flame). This left actual implementation and design up to end users: sign manufacturers, industries and national legislatures. The standard did state that symbols should strive for simplicity, omitting any excess detail not required to convey the message. It was stressed that symbols design should not scare or upset the viewer through use of macabre elements.

A list of 18 messages and symbol designs that were recommended. • First Aid Equipment

• Escape/directional arrow

• Eye protection

• Head protection

• Respiratory protection

• Hand protection

• Flammable material

• Explosive material

• Toxic material

• Corrosive material

• Radioactive material

• Electricity

• Suspended loads

• Falling objects

• Dangerous temperatures

• Risk of loss of balance, slipping or falling

• Smoking prohibited

• Open fire prohibited

In 1964 the draft was presented to the ISO Member Bodies, and ultimately approved by 23 members, with 3 members: Belgium, France and India, opposing approval of the draft.