Yellow Caution/Warning Tape Indicates:
The area has safety and health concerns of a lower degree. This could range from anything from hoses or cables on the ground, noise, heavy equipment in use, a congested work area and more. Unless the tape states otherwise … yellow tape can mean, “Enter, but proceed with caution.”
Red Danger Tape Indicates:
There is a safety and health concern of an immediate or high potential degree in the area. Some of these immediate dangers could include overhead loads, suspended loads, work being performed overhead, high noise exposure, open holes, fall protection required, confined space entry and more. Red tape means, “Do not enter without permission from controlling area supervisor.”
When to Use Barricade Tape:
Use tape to identify work sites, construction hazardous areas, perimeters, and the presence of excavation work
Use barricade tape with red (danger) or yellow (caution) tape to seal off areas where work equipment, workers’ private vehicles, materials, and debris are stored
Hang caution tape from overhanging plumbing that you could hit with your head
Caution tape may be used for a controlled access line if it will support 200 pounds
The difference between a warning line and a caution line is the purpose of the use:
The warning line must be strong enough so that if a worker backed up to it, they would be stopped by the line; while a caution line is used to keep other workers out of an area
A caution line serves as a visual warning, while a warning line is a physical warning
Conclusion: Replace your caution, warning, and danger barricade tape when it is worn out or the lettering is no longer readable. It’s better to use more tape than you need if it prevents accidents. Use these guidelines to keep your work site safe.