OSHA Chapter
Warning, Mirror & Signal Devices
OSHA Warning & Signal Requirements
Warning signals, barricades and similar equipment are re-
quired by OSHA both to warn employees and protect them
from others who may interfere with the work routine or
safety procedures. Instances where the General Industry
standards require such protection are listed here. The re-
quirements for warning signals carried as emergency
equipment on commercial vehicles are set by the Federal
Highway Administration in its Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations (49 CFR, Chapter III, Part 390). For the special-
ized signals used by the railroad industry, including blue
flags and lanterns, see the “Railroad Safety Equipment”
section in Chapter 10 of this Directory.
Requirements from the General Industry
Standard
General Requirements (Walking/Working
Surfaces) (1910.22)
(b.2) Appropriately mark permanent aisles and
passageways.
Explosives and Blasting Agents (1910.109)
(e.1.iv) Those authorized to prepare explosives or con-
duct blasting operations must use every reasonable pre-
caution including warning signals, flags, barricades or
woven wire mats to ensure the safety of the general public
and workers.
(e.5) Give a loud warning signal before a blast is fired.
Overhead and Gantry Cranes (1910.179)
(i) Except for floor operated cranes, provide a gong or
other effective warning signal for each crane equipped with
a power traveling mechanism.
Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Mills (1910.261)
(c.8.iv) Standard signals for crane operation must be es-
tablished for all movements of the crane in accordance with
ANSI B30.2-1943 (reaffirmed 1968) and B30.2.0-1967.
(c.8.v) Only one member of the crew can give signals to
the crane operator.
(c.8.vi) All cranes must be equipped with a suitable warn-
ing device, such as a horn or whistle.
(c.9.i) A flagman must direct the movement of cranes or
locomotives across railroad tracks or roads or wherever the
operator’s vision is restricted. The flagman must always be
in sight of the operator during movement. Use the blue flag
policy (flag for day, light for night) to mark stationary cars
day and night, including marking the track in advance.
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(c.9.ii) After cars are spotted for loading or unloading,
place warning flags or signs in the center of the track at
least 50 feet away from the cars and set a derail.
(g.13.iii) A signaling device must be installed in the
digester and blow-pit rooms and chip bins to be operated
as a warning before and while digesters are being blown.
(k.13.iii) Machine room. Broke hole. An alarm bell or
flashing light must be actuated before dropping material
through the broke hole.
(m.5) Materials handling. Unloading cars. Flag signals,
derails or other protective devices must be used to protect
workers during switching operations. The blue flag policy
must be invoked according to (c.9.i).
Telecommunications (1910.268)
(d.1) Before beginning work where vehicular or pedestrian
traffic may endanger employees, place warning signs
and/or flags or other traffic control devices to alert and
channel approaching traffic. Where more protection is
needed, use barriers. At night, use warning lights and barri-
cade excavated areas.
(d.2) If energized or moving parts are exposed, post dan-
ger signs and erect barricades to warn other personnel.
(o.1.i) Promptly guard open manholes or street openings
with railings, temporary covers or barriers.
Predive Procedures (1910.421)
(h) Warning signal. When diving from a surface other
than a vessel in an area capable of supporting marine traf-
fic, display a rigid replica of the international code flag “A”
at least 1 meter high at the dive location. Display the signal
to allow all-around visibility and be illuminated at night.
Requirements from the Construction Standard
Sections of the Construction standard covering signaling
and barricades in general are in Subpart G, Signs, Signals &
Barricades. The warning signal requirement, paragraph (h),
from the Commercial Diving section (1910.421) of the Gen-
eral Industry standard is also applicable to construction
work.
Signaling (1926.201)
(a) Flagmen. (1) When signs, signals and barricades do
not give the necessary protection on or adjacent to a high-
way or street, provide flagmen or other appropriate traffic
controls.
 (a.2) Signaling directions by flagmen must conform to the
ANSI “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for
Streets & Highways,” D6.1-1971.
(a.3) For hand signaling, flagmen must use red flags at
least 18 inches square or sign paddles. In periods of dark-
ness, they must use red lights.
(a.4) Flagmen must wear a red or orange warning gar-
ment while flagging. Warning garments for night use must
be of reflectorized material. (For reflectorized garments,
see the “Body & Leg Protection” section in Chapter 4 of
this Directory.)
(b) Crane and hoist signals. Follow the regulations of the
appropriate ANSI standard.
Barricades (1926.202)
Barricades to protect employees must conform to the
ANSI “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for
Streets & Highways,” D6.1-1971.
Conveyors (1926.555)
(a.1) Conveyor systems must have an audible warning
signal to be sounded immediately before the conveyor is
started.
Equipment (1926.600)
(a.1) Equipment left unattended at night adjacent to a
highway in normal use or to a construction area where work
is in progress must have appropriate lights or reflectors or
barricades equipped with lights or reflectors.
Underground Construction (1926.800)
(o.2) Ensure ground stability by shoring, filling in or erect-
ing barricades and posting signs to prevent entry to subsi-
dence areas.
(r.3.i) Power mobile haulage equipment, including trains,
must have audible warning devices to warn employees to
stay clear. The operator must sound the warning device be-
fore moving the equipment and whenever necessary during
travel.
(r.3.ii) The operator must assure that lights at both ends of
any mobile equipment are turned on whenever the equip-
ment is operating.
(t.l.ii) A warning light must flash whenever a load is above
the shaft or being moved in the shaft to warn employees at
the shaft bottom and subsurface entrances. (This does not
apply to fully closed hoistways.)
Cofferdams (1926.802)
(b) Develop and post warning signals for emergency
evacuation.
General Provisions (Blasting and the Use of
Explosives) (1926.900)
(i) Use every reasonable precaution to ensure employee
safety including visual and audible signals, flags or barricades.
Firing the Blast (1926.909)
(a) A code of blasting signals equivalent to Table U-1 must
be posted on one or more conspicuous places at the oper-
ation, and all employees must be required to familiarize
themselves with the code and conform to it. Danger signs
must be placed at suitable locations.
(b) Before a blast is fired, a loud warning signal must be
given by the blaster in charge who has made certain that all
BEST’S SAFETY & SECURITY DIRECTORY — 2002
Table U-1
Warning Signal – A 1-minute series of long blasts 5 minutes
prior to blast signal.
Blast Signal – A series of short blasts 1 minute prior to the
shot.
All Clear Signal – A prolonged blast following the inspection of
blast area.
surplus explosives are in a safe place and all employees,
vehicles and equipment are at a safe distance or under suf-
ficient cover.
(c) Flagmen must be safely stationed on highways that
pass through the danger zone so as to stop traffic during
blasting operations.
(d) It is the duty of the blaster to fix the time of blasting.
(e) Before firing an underground blast, warning must be
given and all possible entries into the blasting area and any
entrances to any working place where a drift, raise or other
opening is about to hole through must be carefully guarded.
The blaster must make sure that all employees are out of
the blast area before firing a blast.
Underwater Blasting (1926.912)
(f) Display blasting flags.
Material Handling (1926.953)
(b.1 & 3) During pole hauling operations, the trailing end of
the longest pole must have a red flag or, at night, an illumi-
nated warning device.
Underground Lines (1926.956)
(a.1-2) When covers of manholes, handholds or vaults are
removed, promptly place appropriate warning signs. Be-
fore work is performed within a manhole or street opening,
it must be protected with a barrier, temporary cover or other
suitable guard.
Construction in Energized Substations (1926.957)
(c.1) Install barricades or barriers to prevent accidental
contact with energized lines or equipment.
Requirements from the Maritime Standards
Cranes and Derricks (1917.45)
(g.9) Rail mounted cranes must have an effective travel
warning device to warn employees in the path of a moving
crane.
Manlifts (1917.117)
(e) Top floor warning sign and light. Provide an illumi-
nated sign and light visible to the user under the top floor
opening to warn the user to get off there.
(f) Bottom floor warning sign. Provide a sign visible to
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descending passengers to warn them to get off at the bot-
tom floor.
Guarding Temporary Hazards (1917.125)
Ditches, pits, excavations and surfaces in poor repair
must be guarded by barricades, rails or equally effective
means. ■
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