Signs for construction

Scope

This applies to all sites where construction work is being performed.

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1926.200 — Accident prevention signs and tags

Key definitions

• Signs: The warnings of hazard, temporarily or permanently affixed or placed, at locations where the hazards exist.

Summary of requirements

In general, the standard requires covered employers to:

• Ensure signs and symbols, required by Subpart G, to be visible at all times when work is being performed. When the hazards no longer exist, remove or cover promptly.
• Use danger signs only where an immediate hazard exists.
• Ensure danger signs have red as the predominating color for the upper panel; black outline on the borders; and a white lower panel for additional sign wording.
• Use caution signs only to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices.
• Ensure caution signs have yellow as the predominating color; black upper panel and borders; yellow lettering of “caution” on the black panel; and the lower yellow panel for additional sign wording. Black lettering must be used for additional wording. Standard color of the background must be yellow; and the panel, black with yellow letters. Any letters used against the yellow background must be black. The colors must be those of opaque glossy samples as specified in Table 1 of American National Standard ANSI Z53.1-1967.
• Require exit signs be lettered in legible red letters, not less than 6 inches high, on a white field and the principal stroke of the letters must be at least three-fourths inch in width.
• Ensure safety instruction signs be white with green upper panel and white letters to convey the principal message. Any additional wording on the sign must be black letters on the white background.
• Require directional signs, other than automotive traffic signs, be white with a black panel and a white directional symbol. Any additional wording on the sign must be black letters on the white background.
• Ensure construction areas be posted with legible traffic signs at points of hazard.
• Require traffic control signs or devices used for protection of construction workers shall conform to Part VI of the MUTCD, 1988 Edition, Revision 3, or Part VI of the MUTCD, Millennium Edition, incorporated by reference in 1926.6.
• Use accident prevention tags as a temporary means of warning employees of an existing hazard, such as defective tools, equipment, etc. They must not be used in place of, or as a substitute for, accident prevention signs.
• Follow the American National Standards Institute ANSI Z35.1-1968, Specifications for Accident Prevention Signs, and ANSI Z35.2-1968, Specifications for Accident Prevention Tags, contain rules are additional to the rules prescribed in 1926.200.