E001 Emergency exit (left hand)

What the green square or rectangle means

In HSE’s guidance on the UK Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996, a safe condition sign has a rectangular or square shape Health and Safety Executive (HSE), L64 Safety signs and signals: The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Guidance on Regulations (third edition), Part 2, emergency escape or first-aid signs, intrinsic features (a), page 17 and a white pictogram on a green background (the green part to take up at least 50% of the area of the sign) Health and Safety Executive (HSE), L64 Safety signs and signals: The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Guidance on Regulations (third edition), Part 2, emergency escape or first-aid signs, intrinsic features (b), page 17

Its colour stands for: Emergency escape, No danger, Doors; exits; escape routes; equipment and facilities, Return to normal Health and Safety Executive (HSE), L64 Safety signs and signals: The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Guidance on Regulations (third edition), Table 1, green, meaning or purpose (page 12)

In the UK: HSE L64

• Make sure the fire exit sign is displayed immediately above the exit opening or, if this is not possible, choose a position where the sign can be clearly seen and is least likely to be obstructed or obscured by smoke. Health and Safety Executive (HSE), L64 Safety signs and signals: The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Guidance on Regulations (third edition), paragraph 110
• Where an exit cannot be seen or where a person escaping may be in doubt about the location of an exit (eg in warehouses where goods for transit and other obstructions may prevent a clear view of the exit doors), fire exit signs, including a directional arrow, are appropriate at suitable points along the escape route. Health and Safety Executive (HSE), L64 Safety signs and signals: The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Guidance on Regulations (third edition), paragraph 111
• A fire safety sign which bears only text (ie typically ‘Fire Exit’) will not be acceptable, although text can be used in combination with pictograms Health and Safety Executive (HSE), L64 Safety signs and signals: The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Guidance on Regulations (third edition), paragraph 106

In the US: OSHA

• Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit." US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.37 Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes, 1910.37(b)(2)
• Each exit sign must have the word "Exit" in plainly legible letters not less than six inches (15.2 cm) high US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.37 Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes, 1910.37(b)(7)

Signs people confuse with it, or find beside it

• E002 Emergency exit (right hand)
• E007 Evacuation assembly point

Other safe condition signs

• E002 Emergency exit (right hand)
• E003 First aid
• E004 Emergency telephone
• E007 Evacuation assembly point
• E010 Automated external heart defibrillator
• E011 Eyewash station
• E012 Safety shower