Refer to Instruction Manual Sign

Refer to Instruction Manual Sign – ISO 7010 Mandatory Symbol MS0011

The Refer to Instruction Manual Sign (MS0011) displays the ISO 7010 M002 blue-circle mandatory pictogram, showing a figure reading an open manual on a photoluminescent yellow-green ground. It instructs crew and operators that a piece of equipment must not be used until its manufacturer’s manual or the vessel’s approved operating procedure has been read and understood. Manufactured for permanent shipboard service, the sign holds its clarity through heat, humidity, and salt exposure wherever specialised equipment is installed.

Lifting equipment, davits, hydraulic systems, and specialised cargo gear often carry operating sequences, load limits, or lockout steps that are not obvious from the equipment alone. Operating such equipment without first consulting the manual is a common root cause in incident investigations, particularly when equipment is unfamiliar to a relieving crew member. The Refer to Instruction Manual Sign gives masters, chief engineers, and safety officers a permanent, unmissable prompt at the point of use, directing operators back to the documented procedure before they touch the controls.

Why This Instruction Matters

Specialised machinery, davits, and cargo handling equipment are frequently operated by crew who were not present during their commissioning or initial training, particularly after a crew change. Without a clear prompt to consult the manual, an operator may rely on guesswork or half-remembered instructions from a previous vessel, a gap that has contributed to serious incidents across the industry. Under the ISM Code, the Company and Master must ensure equipment-specific procedures are followed, and posting this sign at the point of use closes the gap between the paperwork in the ship’s office and the actual point of operation.

Compliance and Certification

Manufactured to the ISO 7010 M002 mandatory-action pictogram on photoluminescent substrate, this sign supports the safety sign provisions referenced in SOLAS Chapter II-2 and forms part of a documented equipment safety programme reviewed during flag State inspection, Port State Control, and class surveys with DNV, ABS, and Lloyd’s Register. Keeping the sign in place alongside the equipment’s actual manual or quick-reference card keeps procurement and audit trail records aligned for fast reordering across a fleet.

Installation Recommendations

Mount the sign directly on or immediately beside the control panel, davit, winch, or specialised equipment it refers to, ideally alongside a weatherproof holder for the manual or a laminated quick-reference card. Rigid aluminium composite panels suit exterior bulkheads and weather decks exposed to salt spray, while the self-adhesive vinyl format is suited to interior control rooms and equipment cabinets. Clean the mounting surface before fitting, and keep the sign clear of moving parts, cable runs, or stowed gear that could obscure it from the operator.

• 425 x 425mm rigid or self-adhesive format for steel, aluminium or GRP surfaces (also available in 150 x 150mm and 225 x 225mm)
• Photoluminescent base charges under ambient light and stays visible during blackout or power loss
• UV-stable, saltwater and corrosion-resistant construction rated for exterior deck and engine room service
• Fixing options include self-adhesive vinyl, rigid ACM panel with pre-drilled holes, or mechanical fasteners
• Manufactured to the ISO 7010 M002 mandatory pictogram standard for consistent recognition fleet-wide

Order the Refer to Instruction Manual Sign (MS0011) today to reinforce safe operating procedure at the point of use before your next survey or inspection. Bulk pricing is available for fleet-wide rollouts, and our team can match sizing and substrate to your vessel’s existing signage package on request.

Complete your onboard PPE programme with our Hazard Signs range and Fire Fighting Signs for full coverage of mandatory, warning, and emergency signage requirements.