Construction sites are inherently hazardous places. As such, safety signage on construction sites is essential for keeping workers and visitors safe. In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the most common safety signs found on a construction site, as well as what they mean.
By becoming familiar with these signs you can hopefully avoid some common construction site hazards.
Construction Warning Signs
The first type of sign encountered in a construction site is the warning sign and according to Nan Chul Shin these types of signs are very necessary. Warning signs are used to alert workers to potential hazards and indicate that taking safety precautions is essential.
These signs can be divided into two main categories:
- Hazard warning signs
- Construction Prohibition signs
These signs have a yellow background with black text and a black pictogram or symbol.
Hazard Warning signs
Hazard warning signs are used to warn of a specific danger such as:
- Wet floors,
- Sharp objects,
- Electrical hazards and more.
These site signs have a triangular shape with an orange or yellow background and black pictograms representing the hazard or potential dangers.
Examples of hazard warning construction signs include:
- “Construction Zone”
- “Hazardous Area”
- “Caution Hazardous Materials”
- “Danger”
- “High Voltage”
Mandatory Action Signs
The next type of construction site safety sign is the mandatory action sign.
These site signs are needed to keep employees safe and to tell workers what precautions to take including what PPE (personal protective equipment)they must wear when working on a construction site.
They have a blue background with a white pictogram representing the required action.
Examples of mandatory action signage include:
- “Hard hats must be worn”
- “Wear Safety Goggles”
- “Keep Clear”
- “Respirators must be worn”
- “Face/Dust Masks must be worn”
- “Wear Ear Protection”
Construction Prohibition Signs
Another type of construction site safety signs encountered is the prohibition sign.
These signs are used to indicate that certain activities or behaviours are not allowed and must be avoided at all costs. Common examples include:
- “No Smoking”
- “Do Not Enter”
- “Keep Out”
- “No Unauthorized Personnel”
These construction site signs have a white background with a red pictogram or symbol.
Safety Instruction Signs
The next type of safety signage is the safety instruction sign.
These construction site signs provide workers with detailed instructions on how to work safely in a hazardous area and remind them of the necessary safety protocols.
Examples of these safety signage instructions include:
- “Keep Away From Moving Parts”
- “Do Not Enter This Area Without Permission”
- “No Smoking Allowed.”
- “Caution Moving vehicles”
These construction signs have a blue background with a white pictogram and white text.
Emergency Information Signage
The emergency information sign on a construction site provides crucial information in the event of an emergency, such as how to contact emergency services or where the nearest first-aid kit is located.
Examples of emergency information signs include:
- “In Case Of Emergency, Dial 999”
- “First Aid Kit Located Here.”
This construction signage is typically a background with white text and a black pictogram or symbol.
Authorized Personnel sign
The authorized personnel signage is used to indicate that only personnel with proper authorization are allowed in a certain area or to access specific equipment.
Examples of authorized personnel signs include:
- “Forklift Operators Only”
- “No Visitors Allowed.”
This construction sign is usually a white background with black text and a black pictogram.
Directional Signs
Construction signs sometimes provide workers visitors with directional information, such as exit signs showing where the nearest exit is located or which way to go in order to access a certain area.
Examples of directional and Exit signs include:
- “Exit”
- “Emergency Exit”
- “Staff Entrance Only”
- “No Entry”
Directional signs are typically a green background with white text andor pictograms.
Custom Construction Signs
It’s also possible to create custom construction signs in order to alert personnel of specific hazards or risks that may be unique to a certain construction site.
Examples of these include:
- “Danger: Falling Objects”
- “Caution: Hot Surfaces”
- “Watch Your Step”
- “Slippery Surface”
These construction signs are typically yellow or orange with black text and/or pictograms.
Company’s brand signage
It is also important to consider company brand on a construction site. These custom signs are used to keep workers informed of the company’s policies and procedures, as well as provide basic information about the organization.
Examples of this include:
- “Company Policy: Safety First”
- “What to do in case of an emergency”
- “Health and Safety Regulations”
These signs usually have a white background with the company logo, as well as black text.
Safety signage on construction sites is essential for keeping employees safe and preventing accidents and injuries. They are also needed to warn visitors that it is a dangerous place.
By observing these safety signs, employees and visitors can stay safe and informed about any potential danger on a construction site. It is important for everyone to be aware of the different types of safety signage that may be present, as this can help them to stay safe and prevent future accidents.
