Construction Traffic Signs

Construction site traffic management signs are crucial for maintaining safety, reducing accidents, and ensuring smooth vehicle and pedestrian movement. They help control site access, indicate hazards, and provide clear instructions to drivers, workers, and visitors. Proper signage is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM Regulations).

Access signage should be placed at:

• Site entrances and exits – to indicate authorised and restricted access points.
• Vehicle routes – to direct construction traffic safely through the site.
• Pedestrian walkways – to separate people from moving vehicles and plant machinery.
• Delivery and loading areas – to manage access for HGVs and ensure visibility of safety procedures.
• Emergency routes – to provide clear evacuation routes for workers and visitors.

Construction site traffic signs must comply with:

• The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, which require clear and visible signage for hazards, mandatory actions, and prohibited activities.
• The CDM Regulations 2015, which mandate that contractors manage site access and traffic risks effectively.
• HSE Guidance on Workplace Transport Safety (HSG136), which advises on the placement and design of traffic management signage.

Common construction site traffic management signs include:

• Site Entrance / Exit Signs – directing authorised personnel and restricting unauthorised access.
• Speed Limit Signs – to control vehicle speeds within the site.
• One-Way and No Entry Signs – managing traffic flow to prevent collisions.
• Give Way and Stop Signs – ensuring safe vehicle movement at junctions.
• Pedestrian Walkway Signs – marking safe walking routes separate from vehicles.
• Warning Signs – highlighting specific risks such as "Forklifts Operating" or "Overhead Load Area".

Effective signage improves safety by:

• Providing clear, visual communication to workers and drivers.
• Preventing unauthorised access to high-risk areas.
• Reducing confusion about site traffic rules and safe routes.
• Supporting compliance with legal health and safety obligations.
• Helping avoid incidents involving vehicles, machinery, and pedestrians.

To stay compliant and safe, businesses should:

• Conduct a site traffic risk assessment in line with HSE guidelines.
• Use signs that meet BS EN ISO 7010 standards for safety symbols.
• Ensure signage is clearly visible, durable, and regularly maintained.
• Train workers on site traffic rules and the meaning of safety signs.