Zoomup said:

Should it not be marked PUSH,

No,not according to the standard BS EN 60947-5-5. It only needs to be a red button, yellow background, with direction of unlatching marked.

However, on installation it should be accompanied by this sign, according to the Health & Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations, to tell people how, when to operate it in an emergency, and/or what it stops, along with appropriate text indicating how to achieve the safe state as necessary: https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iso:grs:7010:E020

Note that, under the old BS 5499-5, which was withdrawn in 2011, the sign had a red background. Under BS EN ISO 7010 that replaces it, the sign has a green background, aligning with the concept of 'green indicates the safe way or safety/emergency procedure' like emergency exits, first aid signs, assembly points and RVPs, etc,

That sign does not indicate just what the action achieves. It also assumes that the operator understands the electrical diagram. Is it just designed for skilled and trained people? Certainly not for the general public surely. It neither says STOP or CUT-OFF.

An marked emergency stop like this is clearer.

www.ebay.co.uk/.../334069276323

I like the old big red emergency stop buttons with the word STOP on them. It is obvious what they do....

Emergency Stop - What's so confusing about that? (machinerysafety101.com)

Z.

That sign does not indicate just what the action achieves. It also assumes that the operator understands the electrical diagram. Is it just designed for skilled and trained people? Certainly not for the general public surely. It neither says STOP or CUT-OFF.

An marked emergency stop like this is clearer.

www.ebay.co.uk/.../334069276323

I like the old big red emergency stop buttons with the word STOP on them. It is obvious what they do....

Emergency Stop - What's so confusing about that? (machinerysafety101.com)

Z.

Zoomup said:

An marked emergency stop like this is clearer.

www.ebay.co.uk/.../334069276323

Doesn't comply with the current standard, as the direction of rotation to reset is not provided.

Zoomup said:

I like the old big red emergency stop buttons with the word STOP on them. It is obvious what they do....

Emergency Stop - What's so confusing about that? (machinerysafety101.com)

But I think you need to look further down that page, PHOTO 4 - as that is CORRECT.

Zoomup said:

That sign does not indicate just what the action achieves.

It can be accompanied by text. However, signs are universal, and the use of actual language best avoided (pictures are worth a thousand words, but we don't all speak or understand the same language)

Your example is incomplete then having no signage. As it is, it is meaningless and confusing. I disagree that language is best avoided. It is best used with clear meaning. If people do not understand it they need to learn it. Also, the resent arrows are the least important detail on an emergency switch. It is the STOP function that is most important.

Z.

Zoomup said:

It is the STOP function that is most important.

Guess that's why it's covered by legislation, including the pictogram.

Zoomup said:

I disagree that language is best avoided. It is best used with clear meaning. If people do not understand it they need to learn it.

These devices may be found in public areas also, and people do travel the world. I guess 'they need to learn it' also applies to the pictograms and symbols on signs, though ... not confusing if you learn them? The emergency stop sign is actually part of legislation, so it's something we should know?

Regards the other suggestions, the best course of action would be to provide constructive comments to the relevant committees for BS EN 60947-5-5, BS EN ISO 13850, and BS 4163.

That meaningless pictogram must be one of many that the general unwashed don't understand. Clear wording with it will help.

Z.