safety-barricade-colors

OSHA Color Code Requirements for Safety Barricades and Tapes

Learn the OSHA color codes for barricades and tape. A quick guide to what each color means and how to use them to keep your jobsite safe and organized.

SONCO Safety Marketplace, July 17, 2024

Real Costs When OSHA Color Codes Are Ignored

Companies that fail to follow basic safety standards face real risks. For example:

OSHA reports that the maximum penalty for a serious violation rose to $16 550 per violation in 2025.
OSHA’s public record shows hundreds of enforcement cases each year with fines well above $40 000, especially when hazards are not properly marked or barricaded.

When safety barricades and tape use the wrong colors or inconsistent codes, companies expose themselves to citations, lost productivity, and reputational damage — not just equipment costs.

Understanding OSHA Color Codes for Safety Barricades

In this section, we’ll focus on the barricades themselves, from tape to steel barriers, and how to properly apply these color codes to meet safety regulations.

Color

Meaning

Typical Use on Barricades

Red

Danger

Used on barricades marking high-risk areas like electrical hazards or excavation sites.

Orange

Warning

Indicates active work zones, equipment operations, or machinery in motion.

Yellow

Caution

Marks areas with low-level risks, like slippery surfaces or low-flying objects.

Blue

Information

Used for areas where mandatory actions or informational signs are needed (e.g., hard hat zones).

Green

Safety

Indicates safe zones such as first aid stations or emergency exits.

For a broader look at how OSHA color codes fit into your jobsite safety, check out our guide on Safety Signs and Symbols. We cover how signs and colors work together to keep your crew safe and compliant.

Real-World Applications of OSHA Color Codes on Jobsites

Now that you know what each OSHA color means, let’s look at how they work in real situations.

Whether you’re running a construction site, managing an event, or handling public works, using the right color codes keeps everyone safe and helps your site stay compliant.

Using Colors to Mark Hazard Zones

Red: Marks areas with immediate danger, such as open pits, exposed wiring, or high-voltage zones. It’s clear to everyone that these areas are off-limits.
Yellow: Used to mark areas where there’s a risk of minor injury, like uneven ground or tripping hazards. It's a simple but effective way to keep people aware of low-level risks.

Controlling Access with Barricades and Tape

Orange or Yellow barricades work best for active work zones with moving equipment or ongoing construction. They help keep workers and visitors aware of what’s happening nearby.
Red barricades and warning signs should be used in restricted zones, like chemical storage or other high-risk areas. These are clear “do not enter” signals for everyone on site.

Creating a Safe and Organized Jobsite

Color-coded systems aren’t just about keeping people safe, they also help keep your jobsite organized and running well.

Pair your barricade tape with the actual barriers to make it easy for workers to spot hazards and know where they can go.
Signs alongside barricades help drive the message home: red means danger, yellow means caution, and green means it’s safe to enter.

Using OSHA-approved color coding on barricades and signs makes it clear for your team to identify risks and move around the site safely.

According to Ryan Masotti, SONCO’s specialist in construction projects:

“I often see customers needing extra guidance in identifying all the areas that need proper signaling. We’re here to make sure every corner is covered.”

SONCO Products That Keep Your Site OSHA-Compliant

At SONCO, we know that the right solutions make all the difference in keeping your jobsite safe and compliant with OSHA standards.

Here’s how our products help you stay on track:

Traffic Barricades (Types 1, 2, and 3)

From the lightweight, stackable Type 1 to the customizable Type 2, and the heavy-duty, high-visibility Type 3, each is designed for easy setup, durability, and safety.

Traffic Tape

These high-visibility tapes stand up to any weather, so they stay visible on your jobsite, keeping everyone aware of what's off-limits.

Water Barriers

Create temporary traffic control and secure perimeters around hazardous or flooded areas.

Metal Barricades

A go-to solution for high-risk or restricted areas on jobsites, also designed for crowd control and high-visibility hazard zones.

Custom Barricade Covers

Custom Barricade Covers can be personalized with your branding, informative signs, and safety messages to improve site communication and safety.