Blomsma Signs & Safety highlights visual safety communication at international ISO meeting in Seoul

Geplaatst op 2 November 2026

How can organisations ensure that safety information in the workplace is not only available, but also genuinely understood? This question was central to the contribution made by Rick van Rumpt, Project Office Team Leader and Project Engineer at Blomsma Signs & Safety, during an international ISO meeting in Seoul, South Korea.

Rick attended a meeting of ISO/TC 283, the international technical committee responsible for occupational health and safety management systems. Among other things, this committee is responsible for ISO 45001, the internationally recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems, which is currently undergoing revision.

Safety signage is more than a compliance requirement

Rick attended the meeting in Seoul as the newly appointed liaison representative for ISO/TC 145/SC 2, the committee focusing on safety identification, safety signs, shapes, symbols and colours. In this connecting role, he promotes the exchange of knowledge and insights between the two ISO committees.

During the meeting, Rick introduced himself and presented his liaison report, emphasising the importance of taking a broader approach to safety signage.

“In practice, safety signage is still often implemented primarily to comply with legislation and regulations. However, this means we are missing valuable opportunities. Visual safety communication can make an important contribution to risk control and the creation of a safer working environment,” Rick explained.

One integrated system for safety communication

Industrial, onshore and offshore facilities bring together people from different backgrounds, speaking different languages and with varying levels of experience. Clear visual communication helps ensure that risks, safety instructions and necessary safety measures are communicated effectively to employees, contractors and other personnel on site.

The aim is not simply to install as many signs, pictograms or labels as possible. Instead, a well-designed and integrated system makes safety information clear, recognisable and effective.

An important international specification in this field is ISO/TS 20559 – Guidance for the development and use of a safety signing system. This specification provides guidance on developing and implementing a coherent safety signing system.

During the meeting, Rick specifically highlighted this specification and emphasised its relevance to the work of ISO/TC 283.

The connection with ISO 45001

The ongoing revision of ISO 45001 makes the exchange of knowledge between the two committees particularly relevant. While ISO 45001 focuses on the systematic management of occupational health and safety risks, effective visual safety communication can help convey essential safety information and support safe behaviour in the workplace.

By sharing expertise from ISO/TC 145/SC 2 with ISO/TC 283, Rick is helping to raise awareness of the importance of well-organised safety signage within this broader international standardisation framework.

International expertise, practical application

Through owner and Managing Director Willem Heijboer and Rick van Rumpt, Blomsma Signs & Safety has been actively involved in safety signage standardisation for many years. By participating in international ISO committees, Rick contributes to the exchange of knowledge on the ongoing development and application of safety communication.

For Blomsma Signs & Safety, this involvement is closely connected to its day-to-day activities: helping organisations translate safety policies and identified risks into clear, consistent and effective visual communication in the workplace.

After all, effective safety signage is not just about meeting regulatory requirements. Above all, it is about making risks easier to understand and supporting a safer working environment.