Stay Safe with Workplace Signage and Caution Tape
Stay Safe with Workplace Signage and Caution Tape
What kind of safety signage do you need in your warehouse or facility? Workplace signage and caution tape are used to notify people of workplace hazards so they can take proper precautions. In some cases, OSHA regulations may even require their use. Whether you’re marking a wet floor or a hard hat area, these safety products help keep your team safe.
Where Should I Use Workplace Safety Signage?
Permanent workplace signage is used to provide direction or general information or identify safety hazards in a location. For example, you may want a “Notice – Employees Only” sign to keep clients and guests out of certain areas or a “Caution – Hard Hats Required” sign to notify workers that they are entering a hard hat area. Use permanent signage for instructions or warnings that are permanent in nature. These may include areas where specific hazards exist due to the nature of the work performed there (e.g., electrical hazards, slip-and-fall risks, toxic materials, falling objects, etc.). Safety signs should be permanently mounted on a wall, door, or other non-moving structure in an area where they will be seen before people enter the hazard area.
What Should I Look for in Workplace Safety Signage?
Permanent signage should be made of a heavy-duty material such as heavy vinyl, rigid plastic, or coated aluminum. If your sign will be used outdoors, we recommend a sturdy aluminum sign that will stand up to the elements. In addition:
- Make sure the sign is large enough to be clearly visible from a distance and meet regulatory requirements (if applicable). 10”x14” is standard sizing for workplace safety signs.
- Make sure the sign has appropriate mounting holes for secure mounting to the wall or surface.
- Caution and Danger signs, used to identify specific types of workplace hazards, must conform to OSHA and ANSI standards for workplace signage, which dictate the color, size, and placement of official signage. For example, caution signs use yellow and black to identify areas where people should be careful, while orange warning signs and red danger signs indicate higher levels of risk.
How Much Does Safety Signage Cost?
Safety signs don’t have to be a big expense! Signage may run from under $10 per sign to more than $30 per sign. The biggest variables in workplace sign pricing are size and material. Vinyl signs are generally the cheapest, followed by rigid plastic. Aluminum signs are more expensive but can save you money in the long run because they are more durable and will last longer. You can find a full range of our workplace signs in our catalog or contact us for options and pricing.
When Should I Use Caution Tape?
Caution tape is useful for marking areas that are temporarily off-limits or hazardous, such as a floor that has just been mopped, broken glass, or a spill awaiting cleanup with absorbents. Caution tape is highly versatile; it can be used to mark off small areas or entire sections of a warehouse or facility. You can use an “X” of caution tape to block off a doorway. It is also widely used outdoors on construction sites to mark areas where caution is needed. The bright yellow and black caution tape is a universal symbol for a “no go” area that most people will respect. It provides both a physical and visual barrier that stops people before they enter an area. Most caution tape is not self-adhesive; it is generally tied, stapled, or nailed in place.
Caution tape is not the best choice for marking more permanent hazards because it is not made to hold up over long periods of time. It can be torn down easily or damaged by vehicles, high winds, or weather. For more permanent hazards, use permanent safety signage or consider painted floor safety markings.
To mark small areas, a free-standing yellow floor sign is an alternative to caution tape, such as the “Caution – Wet Floor” signs used by janitors. These signs provide a visual cue but do not physically block the area like caution tape (unless placed in a doorway).
What is the Best Caution Tape?
When buying caution tape for indoor/outdoor use, look for tape made of a weather-resistant material such as polyethylene. Make sure it is in bright safety yellow with large black letters that can be seen from a long distance.
How Much Does Caution Tape Cost?
Caution tape is a highly economical way to block off dangerous areas, costing just a few cents per foot of tape. You can save money by buying in bulk. When comparing prices, make sure you are comparing apples to apples; rolls may come in varying lengths.
Related Safety Products
Beyond workplace signage and caution tape, consider other safety products like safety vests for visibility or floor marking tape for durable hazard markings. For spill cleanup, pair caution tape with universal spill kits to ensure a safe and efficient response.
Looking for Workplace Signage?
Benchmark carries a range of workplace signs including basic notices and caution signs. We also carry caution tape and bilingual “wet floor” signs to keep everyone in your facility safe. Contact us at 844-423-6246 or email sales@benchmarkinc.com for the best pricing and product availability.