Keep Out Signs

Keep Out Signs provide a clear warning that people should not enter or remain within a particular site, work area or restricted zone.

They're widely used on construction sites, around hazardous work areas, industrial premises, warehouses, plant areas and private property where access needs to be controlled.

Safety Sheep Keep Out Signs are available in a choice of sizes and materials for different indoor and outdoor environments, helping businesses and contractors communicate access restrictions clearly.

What Is a Keep Out Sign?

A Keep Out Sign tells the viewer that they shouldn't enter or proceed into a particular area.

The wording is direct and easy to understand, making Keep Out signs particularly useful where people need to remain outside a site, compound, work area or defined boundary.

Depending on the application, the message may appear by itself or alongside additional information such as:

• Danger
• Construction Site
• Hazard information
• Authorised Personnel Only
• No Unauthorised Access
• Specific site instructions

Choose wording that accurately reflects the reason access is being restricted.

Where Are Keep Out Signs Used?

Keep Out signs can be used in many environments where people need to be prevented from entering a particular location.

Common applications include:

• Construction sites
• Building sites
• Demolition areas
• Industrial premises
• Factories
• Warehouses
• Plant rooms
• Machinery areas
• Maintenance zones
• Electrical areas
• Storage areas
• Farms
• Private premises
• Temporary work areas

The appropriate sign depends on the nature of the restriction and the people who could approach the area.

Danger Keep Out Signs

A Danger Keep Out Sign combines an access restriction with a clear indication that a hazard is present.

This can be useful where somebody entering an area could be exposed to a significant risk.

However, the word Danger shouldn't be added simply to make a sign appear more noticeable.

Use wording that reflects the actual situation and make sure the hazard itself is controlled through appropriate measures.

Construction Site Keep Out Signs

Construction sites are one of the most common locations for Keep Out signs.

Sites can contain moving vehicles, machinery, excavations, work at height, temporary structures and other hazards that members of the public aren't equipped to encounter.

Keep Out signage can help reinforce site boundaries and access restrictions at locations such as:

• Main gates
• Pedestrian access points
• Perimeter fencing
• Hoardings
• Temporary barriers
• Restricted work zones
• Demolition areas

Signs should support appropriate site security and physical access controls rather than replace them.

Keep Out Signs for Workplaces

Keep Out signs aren't limited to construction sites.

Workplaces may contain areas where general access isn't appropriate, including:

• Plant rooms
• Machinery areas
• Electrical rooms
• Maintenance areas
• Loading zones
• Storage areas
• Production areas
• Restricted industrial spaces

Where authorised employees are permitted to enter, consider whether No Unauthorised Access or Authorised Personnel Only communicates the restriction more accurately than a general Keep Out message.

Keep Out Signs for Hazardous Areas

Where an area contains a specific hazard, a general Keep Out Sign may need to be supported by additional information.

For example, the viewer may need to know about:

• Electrical hazards
• Moving machinery
• Excavations
• Falling objects
• Asbestos
• Confined spaces
• Hazardous substances
• Vehicle movements

A Keep Out message controls access, while appropriate hazard signage can explain the reason for the restriction.

Keep Out vs No Entry

Keep Out and No Entry signs have closely related purposes, but the wording can suit different situations.

Keep Out generally tells people to remain outside a site, area or defined boundary.

No Entry can be particularly useful at a specific doorway, entrance or route where entry is prohibited.

For example, a construction-site perimeter may use Keep Out signs, while a particular doorway inside a workplace may use a No Entry sign.

Choose the wording that communicates the restriction most clearly.

Keep Out vs No Unauthorised Access

A Keep Out message can imply that people shouldn't enter the area.

A No Unauthorised Access sign makes it clearer that some people are permitted to enter provided they have the necessary permission.

If employees or authorised contractors routinely need access, No Unauthorised Access or Authorised Personnel Only may provide a more accurate instruction.

Keep Out Signs & UK Health and Safety

There isn't a universal requirement for every UK workplace or construction site to display a Keep Out Sign.

The safety signage required depends on the hazards, access arrangements and findings of the relevant risk assessment.

Where a significant residual risk remains after appropriate measures have been taken, safety signs can be used to communicate the restriction or hazard.

Keep Out signage should be considered alongside wider controls such as:

• Fencing
• Locked doors and gates
• Barriers
• Site security
• Safe systems of work
• Training
• Supervision
• Traffic management

A sign communicates the restriction; it doesn't physically prevent somebody entering.

Keep Out Signs & BS EN ISO 7010

BS EN ISO 7010 provides standardised graphical symbols for safety signage.

Recognised symbols can make safety information easier to understand consistently, particularly where workplaces are used by employees, contractors and visitors.

However, ISO 7010 is a standard rather than UK legislation itself.

Choose signs according to the actual restriction and risks present rather than assuming that displaying a particular sign automatically makes an area compliant.

What Colour Is a Keep Out Sign?

The design depends on the type of safety message being communicated.

Where access is being formally prohibited, prohibition signage commonly uses a red circular border and diagonal bar with a black pictogram on a white background.

Where a Keep Out instruction is combined with a hazard warning, yellow and black warning elements may also be used where appropriate.

The important consideration is that the sign clearly communicates the intended safety message.

Where Should Keep Out Signs Be Positioned?

Position Keep Out signs where people can see the restriction before entering the area.

Potential locations include:

• Site gates
• Perimeter fencing
• Hoardings
• Doors
• Barriers
• Restricted work areas
• Plant areas
• Temporary work zones
• Storage compounds

Think about every direction from which somebody could approach.

A sign on the main gate won't necessarily communicate the restriction to somebody approaching a site from another access point.

Keep Out Signs on Fencing

Temporary and permanent fencing are common mounting locations.

Construction sites in particular may need signs at several points along a perimeter where people could reasonably approach or attempt to enter.

The number and position of signs should be determined by the site's layout and visibility rather than using an arbitrary spacing rule.

Make sure signs remain securely attached and aren't hidden by equipment, vegetation or stored materials.

Choosing the Right Sign Size

The appropriate size depends on viewing distance and location.

A Keep Out sign on an internal door may only need to be viewed from a few metres away.

A sign on a large construction-site perimeter or entrance may need to be visible from considerably further away.

Consider:

• Viewing distance
• Direction of approach
• Mounting height
• Lighting
• Surrounding visual clutter
• Whether the viewer is walking or driving

The message should be visible early enough for the person to understand the restriction before entering.

Choosing the Right Material

Consider where and how long the sign will be displayed.

For temporary construction applications, lightweight sign materials can provide a practical solution.

For longer-term outdoor applications, a more durable rigid material may be preferable.

Indoor workplaces may require different materials again depending on whether the sign is being fitted to a door, wall or other surface.

Also consider the fixing method and whether the sign may need to be relocated.

Temporary Keep Out Signs

Some restrictions are temporary.

Maintenance work, refurbishment, construction activities or temporary hazards may create areas that people need to avoid for a limited period.

Temporary Keep Out signs can communicate these changing restrictions, but they should be removed when the restriction no longer applies.

Leaving outdated safety signs in place can create confusion and reduce confidence in other safety information.

Keep Out Signs for Members of the Public

Where a worksite or hazardous area can be approached by members of the public, the message should be easy to understand without relying on specialist workplace knowledge.

Clear wording and recognised symbols can help communicate the restriction to visitors and passers-by as well as employees.

Physical access controls remain particularly important where unauthorised entry could expose members of the public to significant hazards.

Don't Rely on the Sign Alone

A Keep Out sign communicates an instruction; it isn't a security system or physical safety barrier.

Where unauthorised entry could expose somebody to danger, appropriate controls may also include:

• Secure fencing
• Locked gates
• Locked doors
• Barriers
• Controlled access systems
• Security measures
• Supervision

The measures required depend on the particular environment and risk.

Check Your Keep Out Signs Regularly

Inspect signage periodically and when workplace or site arrangements change.

Check whether signs are:

• Clearly visible
• Clean
• Legible
• Securely fixed
• Undamaged
• Still relevant
• In the correct location

Replace damaged or faded signs and remove signs when the restriction no longer applies.

Avoid Unnecessary Keep Out Signs

Don't use a Keep Out sign simply because an area is normally closed to the public.

The wording should accurately reflect the access arrangements.

If authorised staff regularly enter, No Unauthorised Access may be clearer.

If only pedestrians are prohibited, use No Pedestrian Signs.

If the restriction applies to vehicles, use No Vehicle Signs.

And where an entrance is prohibited more generally, a No Entry Sign may provide the most appropriate message.

Specific signage is usually more useful than a vague restriction.

Choosing a Keep Out Sign

Before ordering, consider:

1. Who needs to be kept out?
2. Is the restriction permanent or temporary?
3. Are authorised people allowed to enter?
4. Is there a specific hazard inside the area?
5. Does that hazard need separate warning signage?
6. Where could people approach the area?
7. How far away must the sign be seen?
8. Will it be used indoors or outdoors?
9. What material suits the environment?
10. How will the sign be fixed?
11. Are physical barriers or security measures also required?
12. Will the restriction change as work progresses?

Answering these questions will help you choose the right Keep Out Sign and position it effectively.

Made in Britain Keep Out Signs

Safety Sheep Keep Out Signs are Made in Britain for UK workplaces, contractors, construction projects and businesses.

Choose from Keep Out, Danger Keep Out and construction-related signs in different sizes and materials for a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.

For other types of restricted-access signage, explore our complete No Entry Signs range, including No Access, No Unauthorised Access, No Pedestrian and No Vehicle signs.

Think Safety. Think Sheep.