Ergonomics and warning design: Standardization of graphical symbols for safety signs

Abstract

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), possess a Technical Committee (ISO TC 145) which addresses the issues of standardization in the field of graphical symbols, establishing principles for preparation, coordination and application of graphical symbols. The Technical Committee, is divided by standardization of public information symbols (Subcommittee SC1), safety identification, signs, shapes, symbols and colors (SC2) and Graphical symbols for use on equipment (SC3). The Technical Committee also has a working group for testing the usability of graphical symbols. From the vast work of standardization, the TC 145 has developed various standards relating to graphic symbols, addressing issues as vast as design principles for safety signs and safety markings, for product safety labels, and graphical symbols for use in safety signs. The committee also has developed requirements for creation and design of public information symbols, has developed and normalized public information, registered symbols for use on equipment, water safety signs and beach safety flags and still safety colors and safety signs, Safety way guidance systems, among other topics. It is therefore important in this context to understand the triadic relationship between the design, standardization and the decoding of messages by users, relating the process of graphic conception of graphical symbols for safety signs, the standardization programs and the usability of graphical symbols.