Hand Wash Only Sign

Hand Wash Only Sign – MS0091

The Hand Wash Only Sign (MS0091) is a photoluminescent ISO 7010 mandatory pictogram designating a galley or mess basin as reserved exclusively for personal hand washing, keeping it clearly separated from utensil and food preparation basins. Manufactured to marine-grade specifications, the sign is built to withstand the corrosive, high-humidity conditions found aboard vessels while remaining clearly legible in both daylight and low-light or emergency lighting conditions.

Clear separation between hand-washing and food-preparation basins is a cornerstone of galley hygiene aboard ships, where crew health depends on preventing cross-contamination in a confined, shared living environment. The Hand Wash Only Sign gives an unambiguous, language-independent visual instruction that reinforces the vessel’s food safety and hygiene program and helps the Master and Catering Officer demonstrate compliance with maritime health obligations during port state control and flag state inspections.

Why Face Protection Matters

While this sign addresses galley hygiene rather than personal protective equipment, it forms part of the broader suite of mandatory instructional signage required throughout a vessel’s galley, mess, and food preparation areas. Consistent, standardised signage across all mandatory-action categories – PPE, hygiene, and procedural instructions – reduces confusion for multinational crews and visiting contractors, ensuring that every worker recognises the same blue-and-white mandatory action pictograms regardless of their first language. A clearly posted Hand Wash Only Sign above the designated basin is a critical line of defence against galley cross-contamination and foodborne illness outbreaks at sea.

Compliance and Certification

This sign is manufactured in strict accordance with ISO 7010 pictogram standards, ensuring the mandatory action symbol is instantly recognisable across international fleets and multinational crews. Ships operating under the ISM Code are required to maintain a safe working environment and provide appropriate hygiene and food safety signage as part of their Safety Management System, and SOLAS-regulated vessels must ensure all safety and mandatory signage remains legible and properly maintained throughout the vessel’s operational life. For further detail on SOLAS requirements, consult the IMO’s official SOLAS resource page. Fitting a compliant Hand Wash Only Sign above the designated galley basin supports your vessel’s readiness for ISM audits and Port State Control inspections.

Installation Recommendations

Install the Hand Wash Only Sign directly above or adjacent to the designated hand-washing basin in the galley or mess, at eye level where crew will see it every time they approach the sink. Use marine-grade adhesive or a mounting bracket suited to a stainless steel or tiled galley wall, keeping the sign clear of splash zones where possible. Avoid locations subject to direct high-pressure washdown or excessive steam that could loosen fixings over time, and inspect signage during routine hygiene rounds to confirm photoluminescent visibility remains effective in an emergency blackout scenario.

• Photoluminescent material charges under normal light and glows in low-light or blackout conditions
• ISO 7010 compliant mandatory action pictogram, internationally recognised
• Durable, corrosion- and UV-resistant construction suited to marine galley environments
• Available in a range of sizes and mounting options for galley and mess basins
• Supports ISM Code Safety Management System and food hygiene compliance

Order the Hand Wash Only Sign (SKU: MS0091) today to keep your galley and mess basins clearly designated and compliant with IMO mandatory signage requirements, protecting your crew from cross-contamination risks.

Complete your vessel’s safety signage program by browsing our Hazard Signs and Fire Fighting Signs categories for additional IMO-compliant maritime signage.