Workplace Safety Signs and Protective Equipment

Rules for Wearing Protective Equipment in the Workplace

Protective equipment (보호구) is a general term for equipment worn to protect the body from hazards that may arise during work.

Safety helmet (안전모), safety shoes (안전화), safety goggles (보안경), face shield (보안면), earplugs (귀마개), ear muffs (귀덮개), mask (마스크), safety gloves (안전장갑), and safety belt (안전대) and the like belong to protective equipment. Structures woven from posts and ropes, or facilities such as elevators and fire extinguishers, are not protective equipment worn on the body, so they must be distinguished.

As a rule, the employer provides protective equipment to workers, and workers wear and maintain it during work. Protective equipment that a work order requires workers in a specific area to wear without fail is mandatory protective equipment that must not be omitted.

Protective Equipment for the Head and Face

A safety helmet (안전모) is protective equipment that guards the head against injury, and it must be worn at all times in the workplace.

Safety goggles (보안경) are glasses that protect the eyes from light and flying materials, so they are used to protect the eyes where strong light is emitted. A face shield (보안면) is protective equipment that covers the entire face. Unlike safety goggles, which cover only the eyes, a face shield broadly covers the front of the face, so it is used in work such as welding, where sparks and strong light fly toward the face.

In welding work, protective equipment covering the eyes and face must be worn together with gloves. Welding protective equipment that protects the eyes and face, such as safety goggles or face shields, is stored in a designated storage box when not in use.

Protective Equipment for the Ears

Earplugs (귀마개) are protective equipment inserted into the ear to reduce noise, and ear muffs (귀덮개) are protective equipment worn over the head that cover the entire ear to block noise. Both are used to protect the ears in workplaces with high noise, and they are distinguished in pictures by the ear being covered versus the plug inserted in the ear.

Where machine noise is loud and the ears must be blocked, the protective equipment needed is earplugs (귀마개). Earplugs are worn only in places with loud noise, so thinking that they should be worn where there is no noise is a wrong understanding. In a noise zone, workers must not work with their earplugs removed, and the rule is to take breaks outside the noise zone.

Masks for Protecting the Respiratory System

A mask (마스크) is respiratory protective equipment that covers the mouth and nose to prevent breathing in dust or harmful substances. Wearing a mask in a workplace with much dust is a typical example.

Painting work that uses organic solvents such as 시너 (thinner) or 솔벤트 (solvent) can cause poisoning due to strong odors, so workers must wear a mask and ventilate frequently.

Gloves for Protecting the Hands

Safety gloves (안전장갑) are gloves that prevent injury to the hands and electric shock. Touching machines with bare hands carries a risk of hand injury or electric shock, so workers wear gloves when working.

A mandatory sign with a picture of a glove means protect the hands, and a sign with a glove and a line drawn through it means glove use is prohibited. The two signs are distinguished by the presence of the prohibition line in the picture.

Safety Shoes for Protecting the Feet

Safety shoes (안전화) are shoes that protect the feet. They guard the feet from nails and sharp objects on the floor and protect the top of the foot when a carried object falls. A mandatory sign requiring safety shoes is shown as a picture of a foot and a shoe.

Safety Belts for Work at Height

A safety belt (안전대) is a strap fastened to the body when working at height to prevent falls. A mandatory sign drawn as a belt worn on the body indicates that a safety belt must be worn.

Mandatory Signs and Prohibition Signs

A sign ordering the wearing of protective equipment is a circular mandatory sign with a blue background, and a sign ordering safety goggles to be worn is shown as a picture of a face wearing safety goggles. A circle with a diagonal line drawn across its border is a prohibition sign. If a line is drawn over a picture of glasses, it means that sunglasses must not be worn.

A sign that blocks entry of people without protective equipment is a prohibition sign meaning no entry for those not wearing protective equipment. Only people wearing protective equipment may enter an area where this sign is posted.

Damage and Replacement

If protective equipment is broken, torn, or worn out and no longer fits, do not keep using it. In this case, immediately inform the manager or the company safety officer so that it can be replaced with a new one.

As a rule, the company provides protective equipment free of charge, so the belief that workers must pay for and buy it themselves is a wrong understanding.

Verbs Used with Protective Equipment

When wearing protective equipment, the verb changes depending on the type of item. If these verbs are not distinguished, the sentence sounds unnatural, so use them as follows.

• 끼다(to put on, for items fitted onto a body part) — Used for items that are fitted onto a body part, such as gloves or earplugs. The conjugated forms are '끼고'(and, connective form) and '껴서'(by putting on, connective form). Example) 장갑을 끼고 기계를 만진다.(I touch the machine while wearing gloves.)
• 쓰다(to wear on the head or face) — Used for items placed on or hung over the head or face, such as safety helmets, safety goggles, or masks. The conjugated forms are '쓰고'(and, connective form) and '써야'(must wear). '써고'(incorrect form) is a wrong form. Example) 안전모를 쓰고 작업장에 들어간다.(I enter the workplace wearing a safety helmet.)
• 신다(to put on the feet) — Used for items worn on the feet, such as safety shoes. The connective form is '신고'(and, connective form), and '신구'(incorrect form) is not used. Example) 안전화를 신고 들어간다.(I enter wearing safety shoes.)
• 벗다(to take off) — Refers to removing a worn item from the body. The conjugated forms are '벗고'(and, connective form) and '벗어'(by taking off, connective form), and '벗아'(incorrect form) is a wrong form. Example) 작업 후에 보호구를 벗고 정리한다.(After work, I take off the protective equipment and tidy up.)
• 매다(to fasten, tie) and 메다(to carry on the shoulder or back) — Items such as a safety harness, which is fastened to the body with a strap, are written with '매다'. '메다' is used for items hung on the shoulders or back, such as a bag.
• 끼우다(to insert into a gap or hole) and 끼다(to put on) — '끼우다' means to insert something into a gap or hole. To express wearing earplugs in the ears, use '끼다' and say '귀마개를 낀다'(I put on earplugs).

Hazard Warning Signs and Expressions

Warning signs tell people in workplaces or living spaces in advance that a danger exists. The usual form is a picture showing the danger and a short phrase inside a yellow triangular border. The meaning of the sign is read as 'There is ~, so please be careful' ('~이 있으니 조심하십시오'). To choose the correct answer, you must check together whether the danger shown in the picture and the danger indicated by the phrase are the same.

The phrases on warning signs often take the form '-(으)니까 -십시오' (because ~, please ~). The reason for the danger is expressed with '-(으)니까', and the action to take is expressed with '-십시오', so read it like '바닥이 미끄러우니까 조심하십시오' (The floor is slippery, so please be careful). Here '-(으)니까' indicates a reason, and '-십시오' indicates an instruction.

• Slippery Floor (미끄럼 주의) — This warning sign tells people that the floor is slippery and they should be careful. It is shown with a picture of a person falling and the phrase '미끄럼 주의'. It is used in places where the floor is wet or being cleaned. On slippery floors, remove the water by cleaning and wear non-slip shoes. Example) 비가 그친 뒤라 주차장 바닥이 미끄러우니 천천히 걸으십시오. (It has just stopped raining, so the parking lot floor is slippery. Please walk slowly.)
• Be Careful (조심해서) — This is an inflected form of '조심하다', meaning to act while paying attention. It is used in the 'V-아/어서' form to show the manner of the following action, so use it like handling something carefully so as not to get hurt. Words unrelated to the manner of an action, such as '전화해서' (calling) or '연락해서' (contacting), do not fit this position. Example) 짐이 무거우니 조심해서 옮기십시오. (The load is heavy, so please carry it carefully.)
• Stairs Caution (계단조심) — This sign tells people to avoid slipping or falling when going up or down stairs. Its meaning is different from an elevator usage guide. Example) 계단이 젖어 있으니 난간을 잡고 내려가십시오. (The stairs are wet, so please go down holding the handrail.)
• Watch for Holes (웅덩이 주의) — This means to watch your step so that you do not fall into holes or puddles in the floor. Example) 공사장 바닥에 패인 곳이 있으니 발밑을 잘 살피십시오. (There are dips in the floor at the construction site, so please watch your step carefully.)
• Falling Objects (낙하물 주의) — This means that objects may fall from above. '낙하물' refers to objects that fall. Example) 위층에서 자재를 옮기는 중이니 이 아래에 머무르지 마십시오. (Materials are being moved on the upper floor, so do not stay under here.)
• Falling Rocks and Collapse Area (낙석 붕괴 지역) — 낙석 (falling rocks) refers to rocks falling from above, and 붕괴 (collapse) refers to something caving in. When '천천히' (slowly) appears with it, it means to pass slowly along a road where falling rocks are a risk. Example) 산비탈 도로에서는 떨어지는 돌을 살피며 천천히 운전하십시오. (On a mountain slope road, please drive slowly while watching for falling rocks.)
• Distinction from Protective Equipment Required (보호구 착용과의 구분) — A warning that objects may fall and an instruction to wear a safety helmet have different meanings. A warning sign alerts people to a danger, while wearing protective equipment is shown with a separate instruction sign.
• Fall Hazard (추락 주의) — This sign warns of the danger of falling down from a high place. '추락하다' means to fall from a high place, and it is shown with a picture of a person falling. Example) 사다리 위에서 작업할 때는 추락하지 않도록 발판을 꼭 확인하십시오. (When working on a ladder, be sure to check the footing so that you do not fall.)
• Prevent Back Injury (허리 부상 방지) — This sign warns of the danger of injuring your back when moving heavy objects. '무리하다' means to do something beyond one's strength, so '무리하지 마십시오' (do not overdo it) means not to do work that is beyond your strength. Example) 혼자 들기 어려운 상자는 무리하지 말고 동료와 함께 옮기십시오. (Do not overexert yourself with a box that is hard to lift alone; move it together with a coworker.)
• Lack of Oxygen (산소 부족) — This means that oxygen may become insufficient in basements or enclosed spaces where ventilation is poor. Example) 탱크 안에 들어가기 전에 충분히 환기를 하십시오. (Before entering the tank, please ventilate it sufficiently.)
• Cargo Loading and Unloading Caution (화물 하역 주의) — This sign tells people to be careful during the work of loading and unloading goods, so its meaning differs from the lack of oxygen sign, which indicates insufficient ventilation.
• Electric Shock Warning (감전 주의) — With a lightning bolt picture and the phrase '감전주의', this means electricity is flowing, so be careful. 감전 (electric shock) refers to electricity flowing into the body, and it is distinguished from the high-temperature sign that indicates a hot machine. Example) 전기 설비 근처에서 젖은 손으로 작업하면 감전될 수 있습니다. (If you work with wet hands near electrical equipment, you may receive an electric shock.)
• High Voltage Danger · No Approach (고압 전기 위험 · 접근 금지) — This sign warns of high-voltage danger and tells people not to go near it. '고압' means high voltage, and it is shown with a lightning bolt picture and the phrase '접근 금지' (no approach). Example) 고압 전선 아래에서는 긴 막대를 세우지 마십시오. (Do not stand up long poles under high-voltage power lines.)
• Breakable Items (파손 주의) — This means there are fragile items, and it is shown with a picture of a broken object, such as a broken light bulb. Example) 유리 식기가 쌓인 곳이니 조심해서 다루십시오. (There are stacks of glass dishes here, so please handle them carefully.)
• Explosive Materials (폭발물) — This means there is a substance that may suddenly explode, and it is shown with a picture of an explosion spreading outward. Example) 폭발 위험이 있는 용기는 함부로 옮기지 마십시오. (Do not carelessly move containers that pose an explosion risk.)
• Toxic Substances (독성 물질) — This means that it is dangerous if a strongly toxic substance is swallowed or enters the body, and it is shown with a skull and crossbones picture. Example) 이 약품은 독성이 강하니 입이나 피부에 닿지 않게 하십시오. (This chemical is highly toxic, so keep it away from your mouth and skin.)
• Strictly No Fire (화기 엄금) — '화기' refers to fire, and '엄금' means strictly prohibited. Therefore, '화기 엄금' means not to use or bring fire, and it is used together with a no-smoking phrase. Example) 기름을 보관하는 곳은 화기 엄금이니 라이터를 꺼내지 마십시오. (Fire is strictly prohibited where oil is stored, so do not take out a lighter.)
• Danger Zone Warning (위험장소 경고) — A triangular sign with an exclamation mark is a warning sign that gives advance notice of a dangerous place. Example) 이 구역은 위험장소이니 주변을 잘 살피십시오. (This area is a dangerous place, so please watch your surroundings carefully.)
• Radiation Area and Safe Passage (방사능 지역과 안전통로) — A radiation area sign indicates a place with hazardous radioactive material, and a safe passage sign indicates a route for moving safely, so they must be distinguished.
• Swimming Hazard (수영 위험) — A triangular sign with a picture of a swimming person means that swimming here is dangerous. It does not mean that drinking water is allowed, so distinguish it from other actions related to water. Example) 물살이 센 강에서는 수영하지 마십시오. (Do not swim in a river with a strong current.)
• No Approach (접근 금지) — '접근' means approaching or coming close, and '접근 금지' means preventing people from getting close to a place. It has the same meaning as '가까이 오지 마십시오' (do not come close), and it differs from a ban on use or entry. Example) 위험 물질 보관 구역은 접근 금지이니 허가 없이 들어가지 마십시오. (The hazardous material storage area is off-limits, so do not enter without permission.)
• Traffic Prohibition and Operation Prohibition (운행 금지와 작동 금지) — 운행 금지 (traffic prohibition) means preventing cars or boats from traveling, and 작동 금지 (operation prohibition) means preventing machines from being turned on or moved. Example) 정비 중인 지게차에는 작동 금지 표지를 붙여 둔다. (A forklift under maintenance is fitted with an operation prohibition sign.)
• Pictures with Prohibition Marks (금지 표시가 있는 그림) — A picture of a person leaning against something with a diagonal prohibition line over it means not to perform that action. '-지 마십시오' (please do not ~) is an expression that prohibits an action. Example) 난간에 몸을 기대지 마십시오. (Do not lean your body against the railing.)
• Entry Restriction and Food Prohibition (출입 제한과 음식 금지) — Signs that block entry are shown with a picture or phrase indicating entry restriction, and signs that prohibit eating food are displayed in the same way. Example) 창고 안은 관계자만 들어갈 수 있으니 함부로 출입하지 마십시오. (Only authorized personnel may enter the warehouse, so do not enter it carelessly.)
• Shoe Heel Trapped in Gap (틈새 끼임 주의) — This sign warns that a shoe heel may get caught in a gap in the floor. It is shown with a picture of a shoe heel caught in a gap, and it means to step carefully so that the heel does not get trapped in the gap.
• Forklift Caution (지게차 조심) — A 지게차 (forklift) is a vehicle that carries and transports loads, and in places where forklifts often pass, you must be careful not to collide with them. Example) 통로에서 지게차가 다가오면 길을 비켜 주십시오. (If a forklift approaches in the passage, please step aside to let it pass.)
• Installing Signs Before Work (작업 전 표지 설치) — '작업 전에 ~을 세워 두십시오' (before work, please set up ~), used in work instructions, means to place the sign in advance before starting the work. '-기 전에' (before doing) indicates an earlier point in time than an action, and '-아/어 두다' (to do in advance) means to create that state beforehand. Example) 배관 공사를 시작하기 전에 감전 주의 표지를 붙여 두십시오. (Before starting the plumbing work, please attach an electric shock warning sign in advance.)

Rules for Wearing Protective Equipment at the Workplace

Protective equipment is gear worn on the body to protect it from hazards that may arise during work. Wearing protective equipment at the workplace is not a personal choice but a rule that must be followed, so workers must put on the equipment suited to the hazards before starting work. Because protective equipment is worn on the body, it must be distinguished from equipment used for work, such as machines or work platforms.

Protective equipment must be classified by body part as follows. Helmets protect the head, safety shoes protect the feet, safety goggles protect the eyes, face shields protect the face, earplugs or earmuffs protect the ears, masks or gas masks protect the respiratory organs, and safety gloves protect the hands. First check which body part is exposed to the hazard, and then choose the protective equipment that matches it.

• A mask is protective equipment that covers the mouth and nose to prevent inhaling dust or harmful substances. In workplaces with a lot of dust, a mask must always be worn.
• Boots are long shoes that rise close to the knee and protect the feet and legs in places with a lot of water or mud.
• Cotton gloves are gloves knitted from cotton and are used to protect the hands lightly. Their protective purpose differs from that of safety gloves, which protect the hands from electric shock or harmful substances, so they must be distinguished.
• Safety gloves are gloves that protect the hands when handling machines or electrical equipment that carry a risk of electric shock. Touching a machine with bare hands carries a risk of electric shock, so they must always be worn when using it.
• A safety harness is protective equipment that prevents falls from high places by fastening straps and a belt around the body. It is worn to secure the body when working at heights, and its purpose differs from that of clothing that covers the body or face protection.
• Safety goggles are glasses that protect the eyes from strong light or flying fragments. They must always be worn in places where strong light is emitted to protect the eyes.
• A face shield is a transparent cover that shields the entire face. Unlike safety goggles, which protect only the eyes, it protects the whole face. It is used to protect the face and eyes from sparks and strong light during welding.
• In welding work, cover the face with a face shield and protect the hands with safety gloves.
• Earplugs are inserted into the ear canal to reduce noise, and earmuffs are devices that cover the entire ear to block noise. Both are used to protect the ears in workplaces with severe noise.
• Safety shoes are footwear that protects the feet, guarding the feet and instep from sharp nails or falling objects. They must always be worn in workplaces where foot injuries are common.
• A luminous vest is clothing that reflects light on dark roads so that drivers can easily see the worker. Wearing bright clothing in dark places can reduce the risk of traffic accidents.

On workplace safety signs, the requirement to wear protective equipment is shown with a picture of the equipment, meaning that the body part shown in the picture must be protected. When reading a sign, check both the body part drawn in the picture and the type of protective equipment together.

• The sign for wearing safety shoes shows a shoe and means that the feet must be protected.
• The sign for wearing safety goggles shows glasses over the eyes and means that the eyes must be protected. The sign for wearing a face shield shows a transparent shield in front of the face and means that the entire face must be protected.
• The sign for wearing safety gloves shows a glove worn on the hand and means that the hands must be protected.
• The sign for wearing a safety harness shows a person with a rope tied around the body and means that the body must be secured when working at heights.
• The sign prohibiting entry without protective equipment blocks the entry of persons not wearing protective equipment. It is interpreted to mean that only persons who have the proper protective equipment may enter.

Organic solvents are substances with a strong odor, such as thinner or solvent. In work that uses them, a mask must be worn and the area must be ventilated frequently to prevent poisoning.

Hazard Warning Signs and Expressions

Hazard warning signs are safety signs that show workplace hazards with pictures and text. If you first distinguish the type by shape and color, you can grasp the meaning quickly. A triangle with a black border on a yellow background is a 경고 표지(warning sign), and a circle with a red border is a 금지 표지(prohibition sign). A blue circle is a 지시 표지(instruction sign), and a green rectangle is an 안내 표지(information sign) that indicates an evacuation route or passageway.

Warning signs show the type of hazard as a picture, so you must remember the hazard each picture indicates along with its name. Representative warning signs and their meanings are as follows.

• 위험장소경고(Danger Zone Warning) — It means the place is dangerous, so be careful. It is used to indicate a dangerous place without specifying the particular type of hazard, and it is shown as a triangle with an exclamation mark. Example) Attach a 위험장소경고(Danger Zone Warning) sign at the entrance to a construction site.
• 고압전기(High Voltage) — It means high-voltage electricity flows here, and it is shown with a lightning bolt picture. Approaching electrical equipment can cause an electric shock accident. Example) Attach a 고압전기(High Voltage) sign to the door of a substation.
• 고온(High Temperature) — It means the temperature is high and hot, so be careful, and it is shown with a thermometer and arrow picture. Burns can occur near hot equipment. Example) Set up a 고온(High Temperature) sign near a furnace.
• 독극물(Poison) — It means a highly toxic substance is present and is dangerous if swallowed or touches the body, and it is shown with a skull and bones picture. Example) Attach a 독극물(Poison) sign to a chemical storage cabinet.
• 낙하물(Falling Objects) — It means objects above may fall downward. It is shown with a picture of a suspended object, and it must be distinguished from 추락(Fall from Height), in which a person falls, because the thing falling here is an object.
• 추락주의(Fall from Height Caution) — It means be careful not to fall downward from a high place, and it is shown with a picture of a person falling. Example) Attach a 추락주의(Fall from Height Caution) sign to the edge of a high work platform.
• 웅덩이 조심(Puddle Caution) — It means there is a depression in the floor where water has collected. It is used to mean look at your feet and be careful not to fall into it. Example) Set up a sign in front of a puddle on the floor of a passage.
• 미끄럼 주의(Slippery Floor Caution) — It warns of the risk of slipping on a slippery floor. In such places, the floor must be cleaned thoroughly and non-slip shoes must be worn. Example) Attach a 미끄럼 주의(Slippery Floor Caution) sign to a floor where oil flows.
• 산소 부족(Oxygen Deficiency) — Oxygen can become insufficient in basements or enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. Because a lack of oxygen is very dangerous, ventilation must be carried out frequently. Example) Ventilate first before working inside a tank.
• 허리부상(Back Injury) — It means there is a risk of injuring your back when lifting or moving heavy objects. It is shown with a picture of a person bending at the waist to lift a load. Example) Check the 허리부상(Back Injury) sign when moving heavy materials.

The 고압전기(High Voltage) and 고온(High Temperature) signs are both distinguished by the picture inside the triangle, and the 낙하물(Falling Objects) and 추락(Fall from Height) signs are distinguished by whether the falling item is an object or a person. Even when the detailed shapes of pictures look similar, the hazards they show differ, so you must read the picture accurately first.

Prohibition signs have a picture of an action inside a red-bordered circle with a diagonal slash, telling people not to perform a specific action. The prohibited action is determined by the action picture. Representative prohibition signs and expressions are as follows.

• 접근금지(No Approach) — It means do not go near. It is placed in front of a hazardous area to keep people from coming close. Example) Set up a 접근금지(No Approach) sign in front of a hazardous materials storage area.
• 관계자외 출입금지(No Entry Except Authorized Personnel) — It means do not enter unless you are authorized. Unlike 접근금지(No Approach), which tells people not to go near, this expression prevents entry, so the two must be distinguished. Example) A 관계자외 출입금지(No Entry Except Authorized Personnel) sign is posted on the door of an electrical room.
• 기대지 금지(No Leaning) — It prohibits leaning the body against things such as doors or pillars. A picture of a person leaning is overlaid with the prohibition mark.
• 물기엄금(No Contact with Water) — It means water must not touch the item, and it is shown with a water droplet picture overlaid with the prohibition mark. It is also used to mean keep things dry. Example) Attach a 물기엄금(No Contact with Water) sign to an electronic parts storage box.
• 보행금지(No Walking), 승강금지(No Climbing Stairs or Ladders), 물체이동금지(No Moving Objects) — They mean do not walk around, do not go up or down ladders, and do not move objects. Each has a prohibition mark overlaid on the action picture, so you must first check the action shown in the picture. Example) Set up a 보행금지(No Walking) sign in a passage whose access is blocked.
• 사용금지(Do Not Use) — It means do not use a specific object or machine. Example) Attach a 사용금지(Do Not Use) sign to a broken machine.