Do you know what barricade tape is & why these tapes have different colors and text? Many people ignore them, but they are very important. Because each color alerts you about specific dangers.
As a worker, safety officer or event organizer, you must know their purpose. In this guide, you will learn about types, colors and OSHA requirements of barricade tape.
What is Barricade Tape?
Barricade tape or reflective barricade tape is a strong or visible tape. It is used to warn people about danger or restricted areas. You often see it around construction sites, accidents or risky zones. Its bright colors and patterns make sure people notice it and stay safe.
Barricade Tape Types on the Basis of OSHA Safety Color Codes
OSHA barricade tape colors are standard color codes. They help you to choose the right barricade tape for different levels of threats.
Yellow Barricade Tape
You often see yellow tapes when you cross construction areas. Actually, yellow barricade tape means caution. You use it to mark areas where people should be a little careful or places with minor hazards. Its bright color grabs your attention. Generally, you may see words like “Enter With Caution” or “Caution” on yellow tapes.
Red Barricade Tape
In contrast to yellow tape, red barricade tape shows a serious danger. It represents the area where you are highly restricted to enter. For example; accidents cites & open pits on construction sites. Mostly, “Do Not Enter” or “Danger” is written on it. Moreover, you can use it in case of electric hazard.
Green Barricade Tape
As you know, green is the sign of safety. So, you may see this type of barricade tape near safe or accessible areas. Safety equipment and first aid locations are also highlighted with it. Always remember, in some cases, like surveying or excavation, it can have a different meaning.
Purple Barricade Tape
Usually, purple barricade tape is seen in areas with radiation hazards. Therefore, you apply it to mark zones with radioactive materials (radium, thorium, uranium) or potential radiation risks. Mostly, it warns people to stay away and take safety precautions. Sometimes, “Caution Radiation Area” is written on it.
Orange Barricade Tape
You can use orange tape to mark small-scale construction & maintenance areas. For example: road repairs, digging sites or underground utilities. Its bright color grabs your attention from a distance. Usually, words like “Caution” or “Work Area” are written on it.
Blue Barricade Tape
Blue barricade tape is mostly used in informational or general areas. You use it to show zones that are safe but have instructions or guidance. It can highlight water lines, survey areas or restricted work zones. You may see “Information” or “Notice” written on it.
White Barricade Tape
This tape is placed in places where you need simple guidance or basic instructions. You may see it in warehouses, parking spots or organized work areas. It is preferred when you notice zones that need attention but are not dangerous.
Pink Barricade Tape
Pink barricade tape shows your boundary in a clear way. It has no glue. You tie it with posts or trees. People use it in surveying, forestry and construction areas. It marks a hazard area or shows a path for events like races. It stays bright, so you see it from a distance.
Red-White Barricade Tape
You see this tape in areas where the risk is high and entry is restricted. It covers places that need strict warning, like deep excavations, heavy equipment zones or accident spots. Its sharp color combination catches your eye quickly.
Black and Yellow Barricade Tape
This tape follows OSHA and ANSI safety color rules. You see it in places where a physical hazard is present. Basically, it points out tripping points, low objects, sharp edges or fixed obstacles inside a work area.
You also see it where caution is needed but the risk is not as serious as danger zones. Plus, it controls light-restricted access and stops random entry into work zones or accident spots.
Blue and White Barricade Tape
Well, this combination signifies defective machinery or equipment. Simply, it denotes vehicles that need to be repaired. Furthermore, it is used on railway projects to avoid confusion of red light.
Orange and White Barricade Tape
The tape acts as a short-term barrier until a permanent set up barrier is created. Most rolls have the word “Warning” printed on them, which is suggested by ANSI Z535. This color combination is used to indicate traffic and caution warnings.
Green and White Barricade Tape
In some places, it shows safe areas or emergency exit routes. Like in Australia and New Zealand, it may control your access and guide pedestrians or slow-moving vehicles. But still, its main link is safety and first aid locations.
Yellow and Magenta Barricade Tape
You see it in places like industrial radiography, nuclear medicine rooms or other controlled areas. The material is non-conductive, so it stays safe in spots where electrical hazards may also be present.
There are many versions that come in durable and reusable materials like polyethylene or nylon-reinforced tape. It is usually non-adhesive, so you tie it around posts for a quick barrier. You get it in many sizes, from narrow rolls to wide 3-inch tapes.
Types of Barricade Tape on the Basis of Functions
Construction Barricade Tape
This tape acts as a temporary barrier to warn you about hazards. And keep you out of restricted areas. You can use yellow tape to show caution for minor threats, like low-hanging objects or trip points.
Red tape is preferred to signal danger, such as open electrical boxes or other serious risks. In addition, some other colors show specific risk, like magenta-yellow for radiation or yellow-black for loose wire and cables.
Electrical Hazard Barricade Tape
Electrical hazard tape is used to warn about electrical risks and keep you away from danger. Red tape shows immediate, life-threatening harms. Like exposed live wires or overhead power lines.
Yellow or orange tape marks potential electrical risks, such as cables on the ground or equipment storage, where caution is needed. In case of underground, red tape is placed above buried electrical cables to warn excavators before digging.
Police Barricade Tape
You can use police barricade tape to block off crime scenes or restricted law enforcement areas. It is usually a non-adhesive plastic ribbon. You may often see yellow tape with black letters on it. But sometimes they are red and white striped. The text is big and clear, with messages like “Crime Scene Do Not Cross” or “Police Line Do Not Cross”.
Danger Tape
When your workplace has more harmful machines, places and spots, you need danger tape. Mostly, bright red and orange color is used to make danger tapes. Because, these colors attract you from a distance. This type of tape is used for biohazard areas, chemical splashes, electrical zones and unstable zones.
No Parking Barricade Tape
No parking barricade tape tells you you can’t enter or park your car at this spot. It may use yellow or green with bold black text. You can tie it where you do not want anyone to park. It works well for short events or quick restrictions.
Magnetic Barricade Tape
As its name shows, this tape uses strong magnets to create a barrier fastly with less effort. Therefore, you don’t need tools to put it up or take it down. Basically, this tape sticks to metal surfaces with the help of strong magnets. These magnets are attached at both ends. So, you can quickly connect it to metal doors, racks, machines or walls without using tools or screws.
Fire Line Barricade Tape
This type of tape is used specifically in fire emergency areas. Mostly, it comes in fluorescent yellow color with letters “Fire Line Do Not Cross” on it. Because fire-caught areas contain smoke and dusty environments. Furthermore, you can use it to mark fire hydrants, too.
Custom Printed Barricade Tape
It is a flexible and non-stick tape. The difference is its customizable feature. Which means that you can design logos or special messages on them. So, it works for you in both ways safety and advertisements. If you want to place safety barriers on events and opening of your jobsites. This is the best choice for you.
Detectable Warning Tape / Underground Warning Tape
A detectable or underground warning tape shows you the exact place of underground pipes or cables. You place it in the soil, so anyone who digs stays safe. It has a thin metal layer inside. This metal layer lets a locator find it from the surface. It is made differently from simple tape. Because it allows easy tracing before any digging starts.
Danger Tape vs Caution Tape
| Danger Tape | Caution Tape |
| Represents you an immediate and serious hazard | Tells you about less serious hazard places |
| The hazard may cause death or major injury. | The hazard may cause small or moderate injury |
| Its color is red with black letters. | It has yellow color and letters are black on it |
| Stops you to enter in a high risk area unless you follow strict steps. | Tells you to move with care in a place that has a mild risk for you |
| Used near electrical work, open pits, heavy loads or dangerous machines | Used near wet paint, loose wires or a normal work zone |
| You remove it only when the danger is fully gone | You can pull it when the small or temporary hazard is gone |
Barricade Tape Manufacturers
JACKWIN is a top company that manufactures barricade tape. With more than 18 years of experience in safety products, we offer you many types of barricade tapes in different colors and texts. You can also place an order to get custom tape for your company, event, or any hazard.
Some other manufacturers of barrier tape are:
- 3M
- Presco
- Regal Tag
- Terra Tape
To Wrap Up
Finally, you learned all necessary things about barricade tape and its uses in different safety, construction and event tasks. When you choose a barricade tape, make sure it matches your site’s requirements (like hazard level, color and visibility).
For more inquiries and purchasing barricade tape from our factory in China, you can send us a message. Our engineers can also customize tapes according to your needs.
Commonly Asked Questions
What are OSHA Danger Tape Rules?
ANSI Z535.5-2022 sets the standard for barricade tape colors. In case of danger tape, the rules are:
- You use red to show immediate danger.
- Fluorescent orange or red represents a biohazard.
- The tape must show the right word like “Danger” or “Warning”.
- It must be installed clearly with support.
- Your tape must be visible to others.
What are OSHA Caution Tape Requirements?
Caution tape also follows the standards that are given by ANSI Z535.5-2022 and approved by OSHA.
- You must select yellow to show caution.
- It warns of a situation that may cause injury.
- The signal word on the tape is “Caution”.
- You can use it where tripping hazards or unstable materials exist.
Also see this
Warning Tape: Detectable vs Non-Detectable
Leading Reflective Tape Manufacturers in China
