Yellow caution tape is a pretty familiar sight, whether it’s blocking off a wet floor or keeping people out of a construction area. Orange barriers along the highway and red warning signs at job sites are just as common. But barricade colors aren’t random, and they don’t all mean the same thing.

In the U.S., OSHA has rules for certain workplace safety colors, while ANSI provides guidelines for signs and warning tape. Road construction follows a different set of standards. Depending on the location, the same color might serve a different purpose.

Learn what the most common barricade colors mean, where people are likely to see them, and what to watch out for.

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Red Barricades and Signs Warn of Dangerous Areas

There’s a reason red is a common choice for warning signs. OSHA uses it to identify danger, emergency stops, and fire protection equipment .…