Floor signs to meet safety requirements and standards

Most safety supplies and equipment has to meet OSHA federal requirements for workplace safety, and many comply with the voluntary safety criteria established by the American National Standards Institute. Floor safety notifications adhere to both OSHA and ANSI rules with color-coded information, warnings, and guidance that apply universally throughout U.S. workplaces. Each color designation dominates the field, background, lettering, or icons of the sign, post, or cone. Red signifies restriction, danger, or emergency, while orange denotes a warning, and yellow indicates caution. Blue and green signs are informational.

3D floor signs

Floor signs don’t always have to be worded. Some signage consists of foot traffic cones and belt and stanchion systems that cordon off restricted areas or keep crowds moving in a direction that ensures their safety from surrounding risks. Most floor sign cones are red or orange, while many stanchions are bright yellow, often connected with orange and yellow clips and chains.

Worded signage

Floor safety notifications may also be free-standing, including caution signs, such as Wet Floor warnings, that safety personnel can move from one area to another as necessary. Although many hazard restriction and caution signs are wall-mounted in commercial establishments and public facilities, others mount directly to the floor with adhesive backings. These decal-style floor signs are large enough to see before foot traffic reaches them.

Red, orange, and yellow floor safety notifications

Red cones or stanchions on floors mean that certain areas are off limits. They are equivalent to wall-mounted signs that indicate Restricted Access. Some red cones, however, indicate where foot traffic should exit a facility in case of emergency, while others indicate where fire extinguishers may be located. Other red floor signs indicate dangerous conditions or prohibitions:

• High voltage
• Confined space
• Cellphone use restricted
• No exit allowed
• No smoking

Orange cones or stanchions warn foot traffic about work areas, not only providing a safety heads-up to people walking nearby but also giving work crews some leeway to do their work without unintentional interference. Cautionary yellow floor signs and stanchions are reminders to walk carefully down steps or ramps or around objects.