Electricity is essential to almost every workplace, but electrical hazards aren't always immediately visible.

From distribution boards and machinery to overhead power lines and underground cables, electrical installations can present serious risks to employees, contractors and visitors.

Clear Electrical Safety Signs help communicate these hazards, identify restricted areas and reinforce important safety instructions.

But which electrical warning signs should your business display? Do you need a Danger Electricity sign, a High Voltage warning or something more specific?

This practical UK checklist explains the main types of Electrical Hazard Signs, where they may be appropriate and what businesses should consider when reviewing their workplace signage.

Why Are Electrical Safety Signs Important?

Electrical hazards can result in electric shock, burns, fire and other serious injuries.

Some hazards are immediately apparent, while others may be hidden inside equipment, behind cupboard doors or beneath the ground.

Appropriate signage can help:

Warn people about identified electrical hazards.
Communicate restricted access arrangements.
Identify high-voltage equipment.
Reinforce electrical maintenance instructions.
Alert workers to overhead and underground cables.
Provide clear information around electrical installations.
Support wider workplace safety procedures.

However, a warning sign doesn't remove the electrical hazard.

Signage should complement appropriate equipment design, maintenance, isolation procedures, competent working practices and other necessary risk controls.

Are Electrical Safety Signs a Legal Requirement in the UK?

UK employers have responsibilities under legislation including the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations require appropriate workplace signage where a significant risk remains after other relevant safety measures have been implemented and a sign can help reduce that remaining risk.

This doesn't mean every business must display the same electrical signs.

The correct selection depends on the equipment, installations, activities and hazards identified through the workplace risk assessment.

Businesses should choose signage that communicates genuine risks and relevant instructions rather than displaying generic warnings unnecessarily.

Electrical Safety Sign Checklist

Use the following checklist to identify which electrical signs may be relevant to your premises.

1. Danger Electricity Signs

Check: Are there electrical installations or areas where people need to be warned about an electrical hazard?

Danger Electricity Signs are among the most recognisable types of electrical safety signage.

They typically feature a black lightning bolt inside a yellow warning triangle.

Common applications include:

Electrical cupboards.
Distribution boards.
Plant rooms.
Electrical equipment enclosures.
Industrial installations.
Restricted maintenance areas.

Position the sign where somebody can recognise the hazard before approaching the relevant equipment or area.

2. High Voltage Warning Signs

Check: Does your site contain high-voltage electrical equipment or installations?

High Voltage Signs communicate a more specific electrical hazard.

They may be relevant around substations, electrical compounds, switchgear and other high-voltage installations.

Where necessary, additional access restriction signs may also be appropriate.

Choose a notice that accurately reflects the equipment rather than treating every electrical installation as high voltage.

3. Danger of Death Signs

Check: Does the identified electrical hazard warrant a particularly prominent warning about potentially fatal consequences?

Danger of Death Signs can communicate serious hazards associated with electrical installations.

These notices may be suitable around relevant electrical compounds, equipment enclosures and other locations identified through risk assessment.

They should be used where the message accurately reflects the hazard.

4. Electric Shock Warning Signs

Check: Could contact with electrical equipment or components expose somebody to electric shock?

Electric Shock Signs can help reinforce awareness around electrical equipment and installations.

They may be appropriate in factories, workshops, maintenance areas and other commercial premises.

However, signage must support appropriate electrical protection and safe working arrangements rather than replace them.

5. Voltage Warning Signs

Check: Would displaying the correct voltage provide important information about the installation?

Voltage-specific notices identify the stated voltage associated with electrical equipment.

Depending on the installation, examples may include:

110 Volts.
240 Volts.
400 Volts.
415 Volts.
11,000 Volts.

These are examples, not a standard checklist of voltages every workplace needs.

Always verify the actual voltage before selecting a sign.

An incorrect voltage notice can be misleading, particularly where people rely on the information when planning electrical work.

6. Live Wires Warning Signs

Check: Are there locations where workers need to be warned about live electrical conductors?

Live Wires Signs may be relevant around certain industrial installations, electrical maintenance areas and controlled working environments.

Depending on the hazard, more specific notices may include:

Danger Live Wires.
Bare Live Wires.
Live Terminals.
Live Busbars.

These signs should reinforce appropriate isolation, access control and safe working procedures.

7. Overhead Electric Cable Signs

Check: Are overhead electrical lines present near vehicle routes, agricultural activities or construction work?

Overhead cables can present serious risks, particularly where tall vehicles, lifting equipment, scaffolding or machinery operate.

Suitable signs may include:

Danger Overhead Electric Cables.
Drivers Beware Overhead Cables.
High Voltage Cables Over.
Warning Live Wires Overhead.

Common locations include:

Construction site entrances.
Farm access routes.
Industrial yards.
Loading areas.
Relevant vehicle routes.

Warning signage should form part of appropriate work planning and controls around overhead electrical infrastructure.

Never assume that displaying a warning sign makes it safe to operate equipment beneath or near power lines.

8. Buried Cable Signs

Check: Could excavation or groundworks take place near underground electrical services?

Buried Cable Signs communicate the potential presence of underground electrical infrastructure.

They can be relevant to:

Construction sites.
Industrial premises.
Excavation areas.
Commercial developments.
Agricultural land.
Utility maintenance locations.

However, a sign doesn't establish the exact position or depth of a cable.

Before excavation, appropriate plans, locating equipment and safe digging procedures remain essential.

9. Electrical Cupboard Signs

Check: Are electrical cupboards and distribution areas clearly identified?

Electrical Cupboard Signs help communicate the purpose of an enclosure and any relevant restrictions.

Depending on the installation, suitable wording may include:

Electrical Cupboard.
Danger Electricity.
Authorised Personnel Only.
Danger High Voltage.

Choose the message according to the actual equipment and access arrangements.

A simple identification notice may be sufficient for some locations, while others require a more prominent hazard warning.

10. No Unauthorised Access Signs

Check: Should entry to an electrical area be restricted to authorised personnel?

Where access restrictions are necessary, a suitable prohibition sign can help reinforce them.

Common applications include:

Electrical plant rooms.
Substations.
Switchgear areas.
Restricted maintenance zones.
Electrical compounds.

A No Unauthorised Access sign communicates a different instruction from a general Danger Electricity warning.

Where appropriate, both may be useful.

11. Electrical Isolation Signs

Check: Are there maintenance activities where a clear electrical isolation instruction is required?

Examples may include:

Isolate Main Supply.
Switch Off Before Opening.
Do Not Switch On.
Men Working on Equipment.

Such notices can reinforce established maintenance and isolation procedures.

However, a sign or tag alone must never be treated as proof that electrical equipment has been safely isolated.

Appropriate isolation, securing against reconnection and verification of dead must be carried out by competent people in accordance with suitable procedures.

12. Do Not Touch Signs

Check: Are there specific items of equipment or areas where touching is prohibited?

Do Not Touch Signs can communicate a clear restriction.

They may be relevant around electrical installations, machinery and other equipment where unauthorised contact could create danger.

Where a particular electrical hazard exists, consider whether an accompanying warning sign is also necessary.

13. Electric Fence Warning Signs

Check: Does your property contain an electric fence that requires appropriate warning notices?

Electric Fence Signs identify electrified fencing and help communicate the associated hazard.

These may be relevant to:

Farms.
Agricultural premises.
Estates.
Countryside properties.
Commercial land.

Select and position notices according to the installation and applicable fencing requirements.

14. Battery Charging Warning Signs

Check: Does your workplace contain a designated battery charging area?

Depending on the equipment and processes involved, battery charging areas may require relevant hazard warnings, restrictions or instructions.

Examples might include:

Battery Charging in Progress.
No Smoking.
No Naked Flames.
Appropriate electrical hazard warnings.

The correct signage depends on the battery technology, charging arrangements, ventilation, associated hazards and risk assessment.

Not every battery charging installation requires identical notices.

Where Should Electrical Safety Signs Be Displayed?

The best position is normally where somebody needs to recognise the hazard before encountering it.

Consider the following workplace locations.

Electrical Cupboards & Distribution Boards

Position relevant warning and identification signs where they remain visible when the cupboard or enclosure is closed.

Avoid locations where the notice will be hidden behind furniture, stored materials or an open door.

Plant Rooms & Restricted Areas

Where access is controlled, display appropriate restrictions at the entrance.

Additional equipment-specific warnings may also be necessary inside the area.

Construction Sites

Construction sites may contain temporary electrical installations, overhead power lines, underground cables and restricted working areas.

Review how workers, contractors, delivery drivers and visitors approach each hazard.

Factories & Warehouses

Consider relevant electrical signage around machinery, control equipment, electrical enclosures and maintenance areas.

Choose notices according to the actual hazard and the people who need the information.

Farms & Agricultural Premises

Overhead power lines, electric fencing and electrical installations may create risks during agricultural activities.

Position appropriate warnings where machinery operators, contractors and other relevant users can recognise the hazard in advance.

Understanding Electrical Safety Sign Colours

Recognised safety signage uses different colours and shapes to communicate different types of information.

Sign type	Typical design	Example
Warning	Yellow triangle with black symbol	Danger Electricity
Prohibition	Red circle and diagonal line	No Unauthorised Access
Mandatory	Blue circle with white symbol	A required safety action
Safe condition	Green square or rectangle	First Aid / Emergency Exit

The recognised electrical hazard warning symbol features a lightning bolt inside a yellow triangle.

Using an appropriate recognised symbol can help communicate the message consistently.

However, not every custom electrical instruction or voltage-specific notice automatically falls within BS EN ISO 7010.

Choose signage according to the actual hazard and the relevant design requirements.

What Size Electrical Safety Sign Should I Choose?

The correct sign size depends on the intended viewing distance, mounting position and workplace environment.

A Danger Electricity notice attached to a cupboard may be viewed from relatively close range.

An Overhead Electric Cables warning intended for drivers may need to be substantially more prominent.

Consider:

Viewing distance.
Approach direction.
Symbol size.
Text size.
Lighting conditions.
Mounting height.
Background contrast.
Weather exposure.

The sign should be recognisable before somebody reaches the hazardous location.

Choosing the Right Electrical Sign Material

Electrical Safety Signs are used across different indoor and outdoor environments.

Depending on the product, material options may include:

Self-Adhesive Vinyl: Suitable for appropriate smooth, clean surfaces.

Rigid Plastic: A practical option for many general workplace applications.

Recycled Plastic: Available across selected signage products.

Aluminium Composite: A durable option for suitable longer-term installations.

Choose the material and fixing method according to the location, mounting surface and expected conditions.

Signs should be inspected regularly and replaced when damaged, faded or difficult to read.

Common Electrical Signage Mistakes

Even well-managed workplaces can overlook simple signage issues.

Common problems include:

Missing Danger Electricity notices at relevant locations.
Using High Voltage signs where the message is inaccurate.
Displaying an incorrect voltage.
Signs hidden behind equipment or stored materials.
Missing warnings at relevant access points.
Using generic warnings where a more specific instruction is necessary.
Damaged or faded outdoor signs.
Signs that don't reflect changes to the electrical installation.
Assuming a sign can replace electrical isolation or other necessary controls.
Displaying so many notices that important instructions become difficult to identify.

Review your signage whenever electrical equipment, access arrangements or working activities change.

Printable Electrical Safety Sign Checklist

Use this summary when reviewing your premises or ordering replacement signs.

General Electrical Hazards

Danger Electricity.
High Voltage, where applicable.
Danger of Death, where appropriate.
Electric Shock Warning.
Correct Voltage Warning Signs.
Live Wires / Live Conductors.

Electrical Infrastructure

Overhead Electric Cables.
Buried Cable.
Electrical Cupboard.
Electrical Plant Room.
Electric Fence, where applicable.

Restrictions & Maintenance

No Unauthorised Access.
Do Not Touch.
Do Not Switch On, where required.
Isolate Main Supply, where appropriate.
Relevant maintenance notices.

Battery Charging & Specialist Areas

Appropriate battery charging warnings.
No Smoking, where required.
No Naked Flames, where required.
Other relevant site-specific instructions.

Positioning & Maintenance

Signs are visible before the relevant hazard.
Electrical cupboard entrances have been reviewed.
Restricted access points are clearly identified.
Voltage information is accurate.
Signs are large enough for the viewing distance.
Materials are suitable for the environment.
Signs aren't obscured by equipment or storage.
Damaged or faded notices are replaced.
Signage is reviewed when installations change.

Important: This is a selection checklist, not a list of signs that every UK workplace must legally display. Choose notices according to your electrical risk assessment and actual site requirements.

A Final Electrical Signage Review

One of the simplest ways to identify missing or poorly positioned signs is to walk through the premises as though you're a new employee or contractor.

Start at the main entrance and follow the normal routes through the workplace.

Ask yourself:

Are electrical hazards clearly identified?
Can people recognise restricted electrical areas?
Are voltage-specific notices accurate?
Are overhead cable warnings visible before vehicles or machinery approach?
Are relevant maintenance instructions clearly communicated?
Are signs clean, legible and unobstructed?

This practical review can help identify signage gaps before they become an issue.

Shop Electrical Safety Signs at Safety Sheep

Safety Sheep supplies Electrical Safety Signs for UK businesses, construction sites, factories, warehouses, farms and commercial premises.

Our range includes Danger Electricity, High Voltage, Danger of Death, Electric Shock, Live Wires, Overhead Cables, Buried Cable and voltage-specific warning signs.

Choose from a selection of sizes and durable materials suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Made in Britain, with bulk savings available for businesses and trade customers.

Explore our full range of Electrical Safety Signs to find suitable warnings for your workplace.

Think Safety. Think Sheep.

Electrical Safety Signs: A Checklist for UK Workplaces