Mandatory Use of Handrail Sign - ISO 7010 Compliant Stair Safety Sign

Use Handrail Sign is an ISO 7010 mandatory sign, reference code M012 ("Use handrail"). It requires the handrail to be used. Available in aluminium, rigid PVC, adhesive PVC, in 6 sizes from 50 × 50 mm to 200 × 200 mm.

Technical specifications

Where to install it

• In stairwells of factories, warehouses and offices
• On access stairs to ships and vehicles
• On outdoor stairs exposed to ice or rain

Which size for which viewing distance?

Italian regulations (D.Lgs. 81/2008, Annex XXV, point 1.3) give a practical rule for sign size: A ≥ L² / 2000, where A is the sign area in m² and L the maximum viewing distance in metres (valid up to 50 m). Applied to the formats of this sign:

Materials

• Aluminium: 0.5–1 mm aluminium sheet (thickness depends on the format), printed with solvent-based inks for resistance to weathering, finished with a polyurethane protective varnish and a transparent protective coating. For indoor and outdoor use. Made in Italy under an ISO 9001 quality system. Fixing: screws, rivets or double-sided tape.
• Rigid PVC: 1 mm rigid (hard) PVC sheet, lightweight and impact-resistant, made in Poland. For indoor use and sheltered outdoor positions. Fixing: screws or double-sided tape.
• Adhesive PVC: 80 µm calendered soft PVC film, cadmium-free, monomeric, with permanent adhesive. Outdoor durability 2 years. For indoor and outdoor use on smooth, clean surfaces. Fixing: self-adhesive.

Regulatory context

In the European Union, workplace safety signs are governed by Directive 92/58/EEC, transposed in Italy by Legislative Decree 81/2008 (Title V and Annex XXV) and in the UK by the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. The pictograms follow EN ISO 7010, the harmonised standard for registered safety signs, and the shape and colour rules of ISO 3864-1. The employer selects and positions signs on the basis of the risk assessment; a safety sign complements, and never replaces, technical and organisational protective measures.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Use Handrail Sign mean?

It requires the handrail to be used.

Is the Use Handrail Sign compliant with ISO 7010?

Yes. The pictogram is the registered ISO 7010 symbol M012 and the sign uses the shape and colours of ISO 3864-1.

Is this sign mandatory?

Safety signs are required wherever the risk assessment shows a residual risk that workers must be informed about (Directive 92/58/EEC, D.Lgs. 81/2008 art. 163). The employer decides where the sign is needed; the sign itself does not replace protective measures.

Aluminium, rigid PVC or adhesive PVC: which should I choose?

Aluminium for outdoor use, harsh environments and long service life; rigid PVC for indoor walls, doors and machines where a light, economical panel is enough; adhesive PVC for smooth surfaces such as machine guards, cabinets and glass.

Which size should I order?

Use the rule A ≥ L²/2000 (sign area in m², viewing distance in m): the table above gives the maximum reading distance for each format of this sign.

Delivery and minimum order

StoreForSigns ships free across the EU and the UK with no minimum order quantity; B2B customers can order a single sign.

See the full range in the mandatory signs collection.