Guide to Hazard Tapes on Construction Sites

Hazard tapes restrict site access and are usually tied between posts to create barriers. Their bright colours are easily seen from afar, alerting workers and passersby of potential dangers.
September 25, 2024 by
Guide to Hazard Tapes on Construction Sites
SP Group Global Ltd

Not all areas on construction sites are safe for access, even for the workers themselves. Hazard tapes are used to mark and cordon off restricted and private areas to warn all personnel and passersby of possible dangers. This guide will cover the basics, including what hazard tape is and how it’s used. 

What Are Hazard Tapes? 

Hazard tapes are brightly coloured, usually with a striped black-and-yellow pattern, or sometimes with “caution” text. These self-adhesive protection tapes are applied to tapes to walls or floors around dangerous equipment, open edges like scaffolding, or areas under construction in general. Or on the edges of stairs or steps to highlight changes in elevation to save workers from trips and falls. They can also be attached between posts or stakes to act as barriers, keeping people out of danger and maintaining worksite safety. 

Other colour options include white and red, or glow-in-the-dark varieties. For non-adhesive options, barrier tapes will do the job. Available in black/yellow and white/red, they are tied and stretched around posts or cones to create boundaries that are easy to spot, even from a distance. 

How Do Hazard Tapes Work? 

Hazard tapes communicate precautions in different ways that both workers and the general public can be aware of and avoid mishaps. Here’s how they work: 

Restricts site access 

This is one of the main goals of hazard tapes. They create barriers that block off areas and prevent unauthorised entry, reducing the risks of accidents. These tapes can be seen around open trenches or holes, near scaffolding, along the perimeter of the construction site, or across sidewalks or roads adjacent, to name a few. 

Their vivid colours stand out 

Although hazard tapes are common on construction sites, not every area has them. When workers spot one blocking the area, even from a distance thanks to their bright colours, it signals that the area is off-limits. The general public passing will also recognise it’s a warning sign, e.g., a black and yellow hazard tape stretched across the sidewalk and know they should stay away. 

‘Caution’ or ‘danger’ signage alerts everyone 

Hazard tapes can have prints that say caution or danger to show how risky an area is. Caution means there might be hazards workers or passersby should watch out for. Danger signals more serious or immediate risks. Unlike caution, which is more like a heads-up, danger is a strong warning that the area must be avoided entirely. With these signs on tapes blocking the way, anyone approaching that specific site will know what’s ahead. 

Hazard Tapes for Safety Compliance 

Hazard tapes are safety signs and are a must when risks remain, even when safety measures and precautions are in place. For one, dangers on site can still be unpredictable. Signs must be clear and legible and should be used to indicate prohibited actions and warn of hazards, as recommended by The Health and Safety Regulations 1996

In the case of hazard tapes, they can warn everyone that the area is a ‘no access’ point with their black and yellow or red and white patterns. Texts like ‘Caution’ or ‘Danger’ are also printed on the tapes for specific warnings. 

Note: Blocking one zone should be enough; multiple barriers are fine when necessary, but too many can be confusing. Supervisors or safety officers are responsible for this task. Trained safety personnel or workers may also handle the installation of hazard tapes, following safety guidelines and regulations. 

Other tapes are also used in construction, renovation, and demolition projects, but for different purposes. Check out Floorgard’s range to find what you need, some of which can also be used for temporary floor protection. Or read this guide, ‘The Builder’s Guide to Different Tapes,’ to learn more. 

For queries, contact us at hello@s-pgroup.com or call +44 (028) 9442 8611. SP Group is a temporary floor protection and scaffold protection supplier based in the UK and Ireland.