Safety is a vital concern in a warehouse or distribution center, which often involve the handling of hazardous materials, the use of heavy machinery and the regular flow of goods. Therefore, installing safety signage in warehouses can be essential to limit risks in a facility as much as possible.
Warehouse safety signage can be used to warn people of hazards or make them aware of rules designed to maintain a safe space. Such signage is designed to be brightly colored, easy to read and sometimes even includes lights and sounds to ensure it attracts attention.
In general, warehouse safety signage must meet specific requirements, such as those established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States.
SEE ALSO: Warehouse Equipment Installation: 4 Good Reasons to Hire a Professional
Safety signage in warehouses should draw the attention of personnel handling goods and heavy machinery, and guide them in case of an emergency. It also helps to locate and identify everything from protective facilities to emergency exits or first aid equipment.
Below, we list the most common types of warehouse safety signage. You can include them in your warehouse setup checklist to keep workspaces free of hazards and without disrupting operations.
At Serviap Logistics we are experts in the installation of security signage in warehouses in Brazil, Mexico and the United States. Contact us at to find out how we can help you.
4 types of safety signage in warehouses
Warehouse safety signage is required in a wide range of different environments within a facility, from aisle markings to rack load capacity.
1) Safety signs in warehouses for aisles
Aisle signage optimizes work environments, limits heavy loads, increases productivity and helps maintain safe spaces. Numbering aisles and placing row identifiers, product categories or other relevant details is necessary to help workers identify where they are and easily access the goods they need.
Safety signage in warehouses, specifically in aisles, can be hung from the ceiling or attached to shelves. Their design can vary, depending on the location and the machinery moving through the area. In general, however, it should have large letters and communicate something specific, such as hazardous substances or the presence of cleaning personnel.
Aisle markings should be considered when choosing the warehouse layout design that best suits space and storage needs. This protective feature will increase the safety of employees, goods and the building, and streamline the workflow within the warehouse.
2) Forklift traffic
Warehouse safety signs need to be posted in loading and unloading areas and storage spaces because these places are frequently used by forklifts, the electric or combustion machines used to lift and transport heavy loads without manual effort. Warehouse safety signage helps to direct these vehicles to minimize risks.
There are several types of forklift trucks, some of which even have radar or radio frequency pedestrian detection systems. However, by carrying loads of up to one ton and reaching speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour, they pose a danger to workers, storage equipment and goods, which means that a lot of signage has to be put up to make sure that everyone working there knows where they can and cannot be.
Warehouse safety barriers can help minimize damage to racking and infrastructure caused by forklifts. However, there is also a need for continuous training of operators and, above all, safety signage in warehouses in areas of heavy traffic and potential collisions.
3) Load capacity
Clearly and accurately signaling the load capacities of racking-and of any work equipment used to store and move goods and materials within the warehouse or distribution center-helps prevent workplace accidents. Warehouse personnel should not be expected to make their own assessment, but rather to follow the guidance.
When this type of warehouse safety signage is properly installed and displayed, personnel are more aware of not overloading storage equipment. This will prevent potential collapses which, in turn, can cause loss and injury to workers.
To ensure proper warehouse safety signage that takes into account load capacities based on materials and racking quality, one option is to engage the services of a warehouse installation consultant. These experts will help their clients verify that the signage is correctly placed and adequate.
4) Health and safety risks of the goods.
In addition to warehouse safety signage posted in aisles to indicate forklift traffic and specify load capacities on shelving, specific signs are needed to ensure the health and care of all persons entering a warehouse.While permanent staff may be well informed, visitors should be especially aware of these hazards.
For example, when handling hazardous and toxic materials, in addition to wearing gloves, boots, special suits, goggles and helmets, employees should be reminded to wash their hands, place their protective equipment in a specific location and, if necessary, pass through a disinfection area.
Safety protocols should be communicated in a timely manner to everyone involved in warehouse operations, but also be aware of the types of signage within the warehouse. Proper placement of these signs helps to make personnel more aware of the hazards in these workplaces.
Safety signage in warehouses: general considerations
As mentioned at the beginning, each territory has its own safety regulations, which govern operations within work centers, such as warehouses and distribution centers, so we suggest you review the regulations in your region to avoid problems of non-compliance and accidents.
In the United States, for example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an agency under the Department of Labor, is responsible for ensuring that all workers operate in a safe and healthy environment.
According to OSHA, all warehouse safety signage must have rounded or blunt corners and be free of sharp edges, burrs, splinters or other sharp protrusions. Signs can be made of a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic or vinyl, and can be attached to shelving or hung from the ceiling.
Shapes can vary, but the triangle is often used as a warning sign; the circle is a prohibition or obligation, while squares and rectangles indicate anything from hazards to safe zones. Even so, their meaning will depend on the colors and symbols used.
OSHA classifies warehouse safety signage as follows:
- Danger: as the name suggests, this sign indicates specific risks, such as fire. In these prohibition signs, the color is usually red, as it gives an alarm and stop signal, such as do not enter an area.
- Warning: Warning signs have a standard background color of yellow with black lettering. In some cases, orange is also used. They serve as a call for attention or verification.
- Caution: This type of warehouse safety signage has a white background, green border and white lettering. If the background is completely white, the letters will be black. They are used as rescue or help signs, but also to indicate exits, steps and aid stations within the facilities.
Serviap Logistics assists customers in the installation of safety signage in warehouses
At Serviap Logistics we supply and install safety signage for warehouses in Brazil, Mexico and the United States. Our team focuses on providing simple and easy to recognize signs for people and in compliance with local legislation.
We offer elements for warehouses and distribution centers, such as shelving, labels, floor markings and collision protection. If you need project management services to oversee the installation, remodeling or relocation of your warehousing business from start to finish, we can also help you.
Our customers and partners are satisfied with our services and come from a wide range of industries, such as automotive, e-commerce and wholesale.
As a family business with roots in Mexico that has grown internationally, we are committed to service excellence and pride ourselves on providing personalized attention to each customer.
To maintain the highest safety standards in every project in which we participate, we have expert personnel in local regulations, such as OSHA certification in the United States.
Contact us at for more information about our warehouse security signage installation services. If you liked this article, check out the rest of our coverage.
