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OSHA Safety Work Area Colors

OSHA, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, requires that potentially hazardous areas be clearly marked; the location of safety equipment should likewise be marked. Specific colors are designated for different types of areas so that workers and the public can quickly and easily recognize the type of danger or warning. These colors are displayed in the forms of paint, tapes and signs.

  1. Fire Safety

    • Fire items and areas are to be in red or red and white. Areas in which fire hazards are a potential risk should be marked with red paint either by a line on the floor or wall around the area or the entire floor or wall space. Red-and-white tape can also be attached to the floor or wall and later removed if the work in that area causes a temporary fire risk. All fire warning signs should be red and white, fire alarms and extinguishers or hydrants must be red and exit signs should be red on white and must be lighted at all times, with an emergency lighting system in operating condition.

    Caution Warning

    • Yellow, or a combination of yellow and black, are used to caution people about areas in which they could fall over an obstacle, bump into an overhead object or be injured by something sticking out from a wall or machine. Pillars, handrails and guardrails are also marked with a bright yellow color. Work areas that require caution within the area can have a painted line around the area or the entire floor or wall area can be painted yellow. Safety or caution tape often extends around a temporary hazardous area. Caution signs are typically black on yellow so that the yellow stands out against any background. Black figures or wording on yellow signs help make the sign and warning stand out as well.

    Boundaries

    • White and black markings indicate a safe area to walk or work in. Aisles in factories and construction shops should be marked with black and white striped painting or tape or alternating black and white squares. This informs workers where it is safe to walk around equipment or machinery, as well as when the safe passageway ends. Paint wall corners white to help prevent people from bumping into the wall when turning a corner. Black and white paint or tape also marks an area that should remain clear around emergency, first-aid and firefighting equipment.

    Safety Stations

    • Safety green is a dark green; solid green or green-on-white markings indicate the location of safety equipment and stations. Paint a wall or floor are to indicate where first aid kits are stored or where a first aid station is located. Other safety equipment such as eye wash stations, emergency showers and stretchers and gas mask storage areas should be marked with the safety green color.

    Danger Warning

    • Orange is used to warn workers of potential dangers. Painted floors or walls as well as orange tape warn workers of equipment and work areas in which hazards exist. Specific equipment and parts are also typically marked with orange, including exposed parts or moving equipment that can cut, shock or crush a person.

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