Prohibition signs make it clear when an action, access route or piece of equipment is not permitted. Our range includes no entry signs, do not use signs and signs prohibiting specific actions or behaviours. The white background, red circle, and diagonal line through a black pictogram is the international convention for prohibited behaviour, standardised through BS EN ISO 7010.
Choosing the Right Prohibition Sign
No entry signs go on the door, gate, or boundary of a restricted area (a locked plant room, hazardous storage, a confined space, a secure zone), so someone can see the restriction before entering. Do not use signs cover equipment, lifts, and exits that must not be used in specific circumstances: "do not use lift in case of fire" belongs at the lift call button on each floor, not inside the car. Do not do signs cover behaviours (no smoking, no naked flames, no mobile phones, no photography), each mapped to a specific risk.
Where They Belong
Prohibition signs are most effective positioned where someone can see them before carrying out the prohibited action, on the approach to the area rather than inside it. Prohibition, mandatory (must do), and warning (hazard) signs are the three main categories of instructional workplace signage; on most sites they're specified together.
For prohibition signs across a site or a risk assessment finding requiring a new sign, call our team on 0808 175 4375, or browse the no smoking signs and hazard signs ranges.
What are the Benefits of Prohibition Signs?
Whether it’s prohibiting smoking in certain areas, restricting access to dangerous zones, or banning the use of mobile phones where it could pose a risk, displaying Prohibition Signs serves as a visible reminder of rules that must be followed. Their presence helps reduce the likelihood of rule-breaking by making expectations clear, and they can also serve as an important legal safeguard for businesses and property owners, showing that proper precautions have been taken to prevent hazardous behaviour.
Budget-friendly and easy to maintain, these signs act as a subtle safety upgrade for all types of environments and maintain order among workers and crowds. By minimising actions that could lead to injuries, these signs ensure everyone is aware of specific rules that effectively prevent accidents.
Are prohibition signs a legal requirement, or just good practice?
Both, depending on the restriction. No smoking signs are a direct legal requirement under the Health Act 2006 - any enclosed public place or workplace must display a no smoking sign at every entrance. For other prohibitions, the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 require employers to use prohibition signs wherever a risk assessment identifies that a specific action needs to be prevented to protect people's safety. No entry, no unauthorised access, and no vehicles signs fall into this category in most industrial and commercial settings.
Are these signs durable enough for outdoor and industrial use?
Yes. The prohibition signs in this range are manufactured for permanent installation in demanding environments. The rigid plastic construction resists weather, UV exposure, and physical contact without fading or becoming illegible over time. Photoluminescent versions are available for low-light locations.
