Barricade colors are visual safety indicators using bold hues to warn, restrict access, or highlight hazards.
The barricades themselves are very important tools that help in Occupational Health and Safety by preventing unauthorized access, controlling traffic, protecting the workers, and mitigating hazards in construction, manufacturing industries, warehousing, and transportation.
Barricades can be hard, soft, portable, etc. Barricade tape messages have been developed in hundreds of various languages. Even barricade tape with no markings or words is available in the market.
Definition and Purpose of Barricades
A barricade is a physical barrier erected to:
- Regulate or direct the flow of people and vehicles.
- Alert individuals to hazardous conditions.
- Protect workers, equipment, and the public from unsafe areas.
Key Purposes:
- Improve workplace safety.
- Meet legal and regulatory requirements.
- Minimize accidents and injuries.
Types of Barricades
Barricades may be classified according to their construction, use, and mobility:
- Made from robust materials such as steel, concrete, or wood.
- Physical separation from hazards
- Common in construction sites, traffic management, and heavy machinery areas.
Soft Barricades
- Made from flexible materials such as tape, ropes, or flags.
- To warn or demarcate an area rather than to serve as physical protection.
- For temporary situations or low-risk zones.
Portable Barricades
- It is light enough and can be easily moved.
- Examples: Plastic barriers, cones, and A-frame barriers.
- They are often used in temporary installations, such as event management or emergency response.
Fixed Barricades
- Permanently installed for long-term safety.
- Examples of these include guardrails, bollards, and permanent fences.
- Found in areas needing continuous hazard mitigation.
Barricade Standards
Barricades employed in the workplace have varying standards depending on the jurisdiction in which one operates. In the United States, for example, the following regulations are in prominence:
OSHA Standards
- OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926.200 requires proper signage and barricading in construction areas.
- Other specific requirements for barricades exist in electrical, fall protection, and excavation activities.
ANSI Standards
- ANSI Z535 lays down standards for color codes and hazard warnings used on barricades.
- ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 specifies barricades for special types of equipment, such as eyewash stations.
- MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices)
- Spells out barricade usage in the configuration of traffic flow, placement, and light requirements.
Uses of Barricades in Workplaces
Construction Sites
- Isolate areas with falling debris.
- Separate pedestrian pathways from heavy equipment.
Traffic Management
- Control vehicular flow in and around workplaces.
- Prevent unauthorized access to restricted zones.
Industrial and Warehouse Safety
- Demarcate hazardous machinery or processes.
- Warn about wet floors or temporary hazards.
Emergency and Disaster Response
- Block access to damaged or unsafe structures.
- Guide evacuees to safety during emergencies.
Barricade Materials and Features
Materials
- Steel and Aluminum: Robust, used for high-strength applications.
- Plastic: Lightweight, weather-resistant, and reusable for temporary uses.
- Concrete: Very stable and mostly used in areas with high impact.
Features
- HI-visibility colors (red, orange, yellow) with reflective strips for low light.
- Custom messages/logos for special warnings
- Interlocking designs that are more stable.
How to Use Barricades Effectively
Plan and Place
- A risk assessment should be done to identify areas that require barriers/crossings.
- The spacing between hazards should be at least 6 feet when possible.
- Ensure that barricades are accompanied by clear visible warning signs.
Inspection and Maintenance
- Inspect barricades regularly for damage or wear.
- Replace faded or broken parts promptly.
- Ensure stability, especially in windy conditions.
Employee Training
- Train workers in proper placement, adjustment, and purpose of barricades.
- Reinforce the importance of not bypassing or removing barricades without authorization.
Barricade Colors and Their Meaning
Three major colors are used by barricades to warn and make visible the job. These colors come from internationally recognized standards for safety and hazard communication, including the following:
- Yellow
- Caution or hazard may be present.
- Used very often in low-risk areas where slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or minor obstructions need attention.
- Red
- There is danger, or admittance is prohibited.
- Very common in high-risk areas: electrical zones, fire hazard zones, or places where immediate threats to safety are an issue.
- Orange
- Used to indicate warning or alert for temporary hazards.
- Commonly found in construction areas, roadworks, and areas that demand high alertness.
Other Characteristics:
- Black or White Stripes: Usually combined with yellow or orange for better visibility.
- Reflective Strips: Added for nighttime or low-light conditions to increase visibility.
It takes these colors for visibility itself and in relation to means of safety precautions, and thus the public or working personnel will have quick insight into how hazardous something is.
The following are the possible combinations that may be used on barricades, their meanings according to international standards on safety and in common practices in Occupational Health and Safety:
- Yellow and Black
- Meaning: Caution or warning against a possible hazard.
- Application Areas: Areas containing tripping hazards, wet floors, or minor obstructions. This is commonly used for delineating safe pathways or low-risk zones.
- Red and White
- Meaning: Danger or do not enter.
- Applications: Areas with high hazard potential, construction areas with recognized imminently dangerous conditions, and no-entry conditions.
- Orange and White
- Meaning: Warning against temporary or transition hazards.
- Application: On roadworks, construction areas, or locations where equipment is in motion.
This is commonly used to provide notice to give notice for increasing awareness of temporary conditions.
- Blue and White
- Meaning: Mandatory action or informational signage.
- Applications: The specific actions involved, such as “Wear PPE beyond this point” or marking the safety zone around eyewash stations.
- Green and White
- Meaning: Safety or first aid.
- Applications: This color will identify safe zones, emergency exits, or first aid stations. This normally used color combination in low-risk environments will highlight resources related to safety.
- Orange and Black
- Meaning: Hazard or construction zone.
- Applications: Building sides, excavation sites, or temporarily isolated areas where one will face moderate risks and therefore be in a position to make their call on the same.
- Yellow and Purple
- Meaning: Radiation hazard
- Application/uses: Nuclear works or any medical imaging or medical research area where radiation can be exposed.
- Black and White
- Meaning: General boundaries or traffic
- Application Areas: Non-hazardous areas used for crowd or vehicle guidance, or marking neutral boundaries without specific hazard warnings.
- Red and Yellow
- Meaning: Flammable or explosive hazards
- Application Areas: Areas storing combustible materials, fuel stations, or areas that are prone to fire or explosion.
- Blue and Yellow
- Meaning: Cautionary or instructive.
- Application Areas: Applications that require warnings for dual purposes, taking action such as “Caution: Enter Wearing PPE.”
Key Notes:
- Reflective Elements: Added to these combinations very often for visibility at night.
- Regional Variations: Though these colors are universally accepted, their meanings may vary from country to country or with different regulatory agencies, such as OSHA in the United States and ISO standards.
With these combinations, workplaces ensure that hazards are easily identifiable and safety measures universally understood.
OSHA Safety color code for marking physical hazards
- 144(a)
OSHA Color identification –
- 144(a)(1)
Red. Red shall be the basic color for the identification of:
- 144(a)(1)(i)
Fire protection equipment and apparatus. [Reserved]
- 144(a)(1)(ii)
Danger. Safety cans or other portable containers of flammable liquids having a flash point at or below 80 °F, table containers of flammable liquids (open cup tester), excluding shipping containers, shall be painted red with some additional visible identification either in the form of a yellow band around the can or the name of the contents conspicuously stenciled or painted on the can in yellow. Red lights shall be provided at barricades and at temporary obstructions. Danger signs shall be painted red.
- 144(a)(1)(iii)
Stop. Emergency stop bars on hazardous machines such as rubber mills, wire blocks, flat work ironers, etc., shall be red. Stop buttons or electrical switches in which letters or other markings appear, used for emergency stopping of machinery shall be red.
- 144(a)(2)
[Reserved]
- 144(a)(3)
Yellow. Yellow shall be the basic color for designating caution and for marking physical hazards such as: Striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping, and “caught in between.”
Barricade Tapes
Barricade tapes are long strips of resistance material, normally made from polyethylene, vinyl, or polypropylene. In bright colors and warning messages, these tapes catch one’s eye to serve as a warning to hazards or areas that one must avoid.
Types of Barricade Tapes
Barricade tapes can be categorized based on their uses, material, and applications:
Non-Adhesive Barricade Tapes
- Commonly known as “caution tape” and “warning tape.”
- Tape is suspended between poles, fences, or other supports.
- To be used only for temporary purposes.
- Adhesive Barricade Tapes
- Have adhesive backings to be fixed directly onto the surface.
- To be used to mark floors and walls, even to identify pieces of equipment within a warehouse or factory setting.
Pre-Printed Barricade Tapes
- Messages such as “Caution,” “Danger,” “Do Not Enter,” or “Restricted Area” are printed on it.
- Pre-printed messages save many complications in comprehension and eliminate the need to carry extra signs.
Custom Barricade Tapes
- Printed with one’s company logo or directions.
- Applied in a workplace for proprietary or special warnings.
Biodegradable Barricade Tapes
- Manufactured using environmentally friendly materials.
- Decompose naturally, hence suitable for environmental or agricultural locations.
Barricade Tapes Colour Coding and Their Meanings
Color coding on barricade tapes is according to international standards of safety to relay certain information effectively:
Yellow Tape
- Meaning:
- Use Cases: Low-risk areas with possible hazards such as slippery floors or minor obstructions.
Red Tape
- Meaning:
- Use Cases: High-risk areas where immediate or severe hazards exist, for example, chemical spills or electrical hazards.
Orange Tape
- Meaning: Warning for temporary hazards.
- Applications: Construction areas, excavation sites, or equipment movement areas.
Black and Yellow Tape
- Meaning: Physical hazard or caution.
- Applications: Areas with tripping hazards, low clearances, or moderate risks.
Red and White Tape
- Meaning: Prohibited access or danger.
- Applications: Crime scenes, fire hazards, or confined spaces.
Green and White Tape
- Meaning: Safety or informational.
- Applications: Safe zones, emergency exits, or first aid points.
Purple Tape
- Meaning: Radiation hazard.
- Applications: Locations where radioactive materials are used or devices.
Features of Barricade Tapes
Barricade tapes are designed and fitted with features that enhance their usability, including:
- Highly Visible: Due to bright colors and great bold lettering, they can also be viewed in low-light condition areas.
- Durable Material: Weather-resistant and tear-proof materials make them workable in high extremes of weather.
- Lightweight and Portable: Convenience in transport and installation encourages temporary usage.
- Customizable: This can also be customized with specific messages or brand identity.
- Reflective Coatings: Can be used at night for visibility in road safety applications
Conclusion
Barricades are essential for ensuring workplace safety across industries. Proper selection, placement, and maintenance are vital to their effectiveness. By adhering to regulatory standards and best practices, organizations can minimize risks and create a safer environment for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a barricade and a barrier?
A barricade is typically a temporary structure for hazard warning or restriction, while a barrier can be permanent and used for broader safety and security purposes.
Are barricades mandatory in all workplaces?
Yes, barricades are required wherever hazards exist, as mandated by OSHA and other safety regulations.
Can barricade tapes alone ensure safety?
Barricade tapes serve as a visual warning but lack the physical strength to prevent access. They should be used alongside other measures in high-risk areas.
How often should barricades be inspected?
Inspect barricades regularly, especially in high-traffic or high-risk areas, and after adverse weather conditions.
What training is required for using barricades?
Workers should be trained on barricade types, placement protocols, and their role in hazard mitigation.
Related Posts
11 Best Excavation Safety Procedures
Confine Space Entry Procedures that Work
10 Tips On The Safe Use Of Step A Ladder
