Automatic Start-Up Sign

Automatic Start-Up Sign – ISO 7010 Warning Symbol HS0018

This Automatic Start-Up sign warns crew and contractors that a machine or system nearby can start moving without warning, whether triggered by a timer, sensor, remote signal or automatic control sequence. It follows the internationally recognised ISO 7010 warning pictogram format, showing a swirling arrow motif on the standard photoluminescent yellow triangle so the automatic start-up hazard reads instantly to crew, contractors and visitors regardless of language.

As SKU HS0018 in the Hazard Signs range, it is built for continuous marine exposure and suits pump rooms, compressor stations, automated valves, standby generators and any machinery that can activate without a human operator present.

The pictogram shows two curved arrows swirling around a central point, rendered in black inside the warning triangle, a graphic used consistently to flag equipment governed by automatic controls rather than manual starting. Because an automatic start-up hazard is not visible from the equipment’s resting state, the sign is often the only warning a maintenance technician gets that a pump, fan or standby unit could begin operating at any moment, making it essential reading before hands go near moving parts.

The photoluminescent base keeps the automatic start-up warning visible for a period after lighting fails, relevant in machinery spaces where standby equipment continues to be governed by automatic controls during a power interruption.

Why Automatic Start-Up Marking Matters

Injuries from unexpected machine movement are among the most preventable incidents aboard a vessel, and an automatic start-up hazard is particularly dangerous because the equipment can appear completely dormant right up until the moment it activates.

Standardised automatic start-up signage supports lock-out/tag-out procedures during maintenance, reminding technicians to isolate power and control circuits rather than relying on the equipment’s current state as a guide. It also protects visiting contractors and new crew who may not know which machines in a given space are on automatic control versus manual operation.

Compliance and Certification

This sign is produced to align with IMO shipboard safety signage guidance and the ISO 7010 graphical symbol set referenced in machinery safety practice aboard vessels, supporting the ISM Code’s requirement for documented control of mechanical hazards during maintenance work. A visible automatic start-up warning at pump rooms, compressor stations and automated equipment is a documented control that classification surveyors and internal safety auditors specifically look for during a machinery safety review.

Installation Recommendations

Mount the sign directly on or beside the automatically controlled equipment, at a height that is seen before hands reach toward moving parts or access panels. Use the pre-drilled fixing holes with marine-grade fasteners for exterior and high-vibration machinery spaces, and the self-adhesive backing for interior panels and equipment housings.

Confirm during permit-to-work reviews that the automatic start-up sign remains in place and legible on every relevant machine, particularly after equipment has been serviced or replaced, since a new control panel or motor housing rarely arrives with its own warning signage already fitted.

• 425 x 425mm rigid or self-adhesive format for steel, aluminium or GRP surfaces
• Photoluminescent base for visibility during power loss or blackout drills
• UV-stable, saltwater-resistant construction for long-term exterior exposure
• Self-adhesive or pre-drilled fixing options for fast, secure installation
• ISO 7010 compliant swirling-arrow pictogram, language-independent and instantly recognisable

Order the HS0018 Automatic Start-Up sign today to mark every automatically controlled machine before your next maintenance period or safety audit. Safety Sign Hub stocks the complete IMPA/ISSA-coded hazard sign range and ships marine-grade signage across Australia and to vessels in port, with bulk pricing for fleet orders.

See the full Hazard Signs range for related ISO 7010 warning pictograms, or browse our Fire Fighting Signs for IMO A.654(16) fire control signage to complete your vessel’s safety signage plan.