“Keep Out” is a simple instruction, but choosing the right Keep Out sign isn't always quite so simple.
A construction site may need to keep members of the public outside its boundary. A factory may need to restrict access around machinery. A farm might need to prevent people entering an area with livestock or agricultural equipment. Another workplace may allow authorised employees into an area while keeping everybody else out.
In each case, the access restriction is slightly different.
So, should you choose Keep Out, No Entry, No Unauthorised Access, Authorised Personnel Only or a sign that also identifies a particular hazard?
Here's how to choose the right Keep Out sign for your site.
What Does a Keep Out Sign Mean?
A Keep Out sign gives a direct instruction that people should remain outside a particular area.
It can be useful where access needs to be restricted because of safety, security, operational activities or private property.
Typical locations can include:
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Construction sites
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Factories
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Warehouses
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Machinery areas
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Plant rooms
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Electrical areas
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Maintenance zones
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Farms
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Private land
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Storage areas
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Industrial yards
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Temporary work areas
The important point is that Keep Out describes what somebody needs to do.
It doesn't necessarily explain why they need to stay out.
If a particular hazard exists beyond the sign, additional or more specific safety signage may be appropriate.
When Should You Use a Keep Out Sign?
Consider a Keep Out sign where people approaching an area need a straightforward instruction not to enter.
For example, a business might need to prevent visitors from walking into an operational part of a warehouse.
A construction company might need to reinforce the boundary around an active work area.
A farmer may want people to remain outside an area containing machinery or livestock.
A maintenance team may temporarily restrict access while work is taking place.
In each case, the instruction is essentially:
Don't come into this area.
That's where Keep Out can be particularly effective.
Keep Out vs No Entry: What's the Difference?
These messages are closely related.
Keep Out tells somebody to remain outside an area.
No Entry tells somebody not to enter or proceed beyond a particular point.
There will be situations where either message could communicate the intended restriction.
For example, both might be considered at an entrance to a restricted work area.
However, think about the context.
No Entry can work particularly well at a defined entrance, doorway, gate or route where entry beyond that point is prohibited.
Keep Out can be particularly useful when communicating that people should remain outside a wider area or boundary.
The best choice is the wording that makes the restriction clearest to the person approaching.
Keep Out vs No Unauthorised Access
This is an important distinction.
A general Keep Out instruction suggests that the person approaching should remain outside.
No Unauthorised Access makes it clear that people with permission may still enter.
Imagine a plant area where trained maintenance engineers are allowed access.
A blanket Keep Out message may not describe the access arrangements as accurately as No Unauthorised Access or Authorised Personnel Only.
Before choosing, ask:
Is everybody prohibited from entering, or only people without permission?
If authorised people regularly need access, choose wording that reflects that arrangement.
Keep Out vs Authorised Personnel Only
These signs also approach the issue differently.
Keep Out concentrates on the restriction.
Authorised Personnel Only identifies the people who are permitted to enter.
For an area such as an electrical room, machinery area or plant room, Authorised Personnel Only may be clearer if trained or designated employees need routine access.
For a temporary hazardous work zone where people simply need to remain outside, Keep Out may be more appropriate.
Again, the exact wording should match the restriction rather than being chosen simply because one message sounds stronger.
Keep Out Signs for Construction Sites
Construction sites are one of the most obvious locations where access may need to be controlled.
Site conditions can change throughout a project and may involve:
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Moving vehicles
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Plant and machinery
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Excavations
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Work at height
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Temporary structures
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Electrical equipment
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Stored materials
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Demolition work
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Other construction activities
A Keep Out sign can help communicate that people shouldn't enter a controlled construction area.
Depending on the site, it might be displayed on:
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Perimeter fencing
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Site gates
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Hoarding
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Temporary barriers
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Restricted work areas
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Plant zones
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Storage compounds
However, signage should work alongside the physical and procedural measures needed to control access. A Keep Out sign shouldn't be regarded as a replacement for suitable fencing, barriers, gates or other controls where these are necessary.
Which Keep Out Sign Does a Construction Site Need?
A generic Keep Out sign isn't always the most informative option.
If the restriction relates specifically to construction activity, consider whether a more descriptive message would help.
Examples might include:
Construction Site – Keep Out
Danger – Keep Out
No Unauthorised Access
Authorised Personnel Only
Parents Are Advised to Warn Children Against the Dangers of Entering This Site
The right choice depends on the site, the people likely to approach it and the reason access is being restricted.
Larger sites may need several different messages at different locations rather than relying on one type of sign throughout.
Keep Out Signs for Warehouses
Warehouses can include vehicle movements, loading operations, machinery, racking and areas intended only for particular employees.
A Keep Out sign could be useful where people need to remain outside a particular operational area.
But consider whether a more specific message is available.
If pedestrians are prohibited because of vehicle movements, for example, No Pedestrians may communicate the restriction more accurately.
If only trained employees may enter, Authorised Personnel Only could be clearer.
If visitors simply shouldn't enter a staff area, Staff Only might be sufficient.
The aim should always be to tell people exactly what they need to know.
Keep Out Signs for Factories & Machinery Areas
Factories and manufacturing sites may contain areas where machinery, automated processes or other operations make unrestricted access inappropriate.
Keep Out signs can help reinforce controlled boundaries around these areas.
Where there is a specific hazard, however, don't assume Keep Out communicates everything somebody needs to know.
For example, a separate warning sign may be needed to identify a machinery, electrical or other hazard.
One sign controls access.
Another may communicate the hazard.
Keep Out Signs for Maintenance Work
Some access restrictions are temporary.
Maintenance, repairs, cleaning or servicing can create conditions that aren't present during normal operation.
A Keep Out sign can be used as part of temporary arrangements to prevent people entering the work area.
Depending on the circumstances, the sign might be used with:
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Temporary barriers
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Cones
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Fencing
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Locked doors
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Other access controls
Once the work is complete and the restriction no longer applies, remove temporary signage that is no longer needed.
Leaving obsolete safety signs in place can create confusion and make people less likely to pay attention to signs that genuinely matter.
Keep Out Signs for Farms
Farms present a very different environment from offices or shops.
Agricultural sites can contain:
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Farm machinery
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Moving vehicles
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Livestock
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Chemical storage
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Grain stores
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Slurry areas
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Workshops
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Farm buildings
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Ponds and water
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Other potentially hazardous locations
A general Keep Out sign can help restrict access, but a more specific sign may sometimes communicate the reason more effectively.
For example, an area containing livestock, machinery or a particular hazard may benefit from signage specifically relating to that risk.
Think about who is likely to approach the area too. Employees and experienced contractors may already understand the site, whereas visitors, delivery drivers or members of the public may not.
Keep Out Signs for Private Land
Keep Out signs can also be used to communicate access restrictions on privately controlled land.
Potential locations include:
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Private yards
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Private roads
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Woodland
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Estates
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Storage compounds
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Farm entrances
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Private grounds
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Restricted property
However, if the main message is that the land is private rather than that everybody must stay outside, Private Property, Private Land or No Unauthorised Access may communicate your intended message more precisely.
Choose the wording according to what you actually need people to understand.
Should a Keep Out Sign Include a Reason?
Sometimes.
“Keep Out” is deliberately concise, which can be one of its strengths.
But additional information can be useful where somebody needs to understand a particular hazard or condition.
For example:
Danger – Keep Out
provides a stronger indication that a hazard exists.
A site might instead require a separate recognised warning sign identifying the specific hazard.
Avoid adding unnecessary wording simply to make a sign look more important. Safety messages are generally more effective when they're clear, concise and easy to understand.
Is a Keep Out Sign a Prohibition Sign?
Where the purpose of the sign is to prohibit entry or access, the message falls within the general category of prohibition safety signage.
Recognised prohibition signs typically use a red circular symbol with a diagonal bar.
The precise design needed depends on the restriction being communicated.
If you're using a safety sign to address a workplace risk, choose signage that clearly communicates the required prohibition and use recognised safety-sign conventions where applicable.
Are Keep Out Signs a Legal Requirement?
There isn't a blanket rule requiring every workplace, construction site or restricted area to display a sign containing the exact words “Keep Out”.
Under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, employers are required to use safety signs where a significant risk remains despite other relevant measures being taken.
The type of signage required therefore depends on the workplace, risk assessment and measures already in place.
Where access restrictions are necessary, signs can help communicate them, but they shouldn't be treated as a substitute for other necessary controls.
Don't Rely on a Keep Out Sign Alone
A Keep Out sign tells somebody what they're expected to do.
It doesn't physically stop them entering.
Depending on the circumstances, access may also need to be controlled through measures such as:
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Fencing
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Locked doors
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Gates
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Barriers
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Machine guarding
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Access-control systems
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Site-security arrangements
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Employee training
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Visitor procedures
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Supervision
The measures needed should reflect the actual risk.
A sign is part of communication, not a physical barrier.
Where Should Keep Out Signs Be Displayed?
Position the sign where people can see it before entering the restricted area.
Possible locations include:
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Doors
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Gates
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Fences
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Barriers
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Walls
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Site hoarding
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Entrances
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Restricted routes
Consider how people actually approach.
A sign attached to a gate may be clearly visible when the gate is closed but disappear from view when it's open.
Likewise, signs can become obscured by parked vehicles, stacked materials, equipment or vegetation.
Walk towards the area from the direction a visitor would approach and ask:
Can I see the restriction clearly before I reach it?
If not, reconsider the position.
Do You Need More Than One Keep Out Sign?
Possibly.
One sign at the main entrance may not be sufficient if a restricted area can be approached from several directions.
This can be particularly relevant to:
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Construction sites
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Large industrial premises
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Farms
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Warehouses
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Outdoor work areas
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Temporary work zones
Look at the entire boundary or controlled area rather than simply the most obvious entrance.
The objective is to make the restriction clear wherever somebody could reasonably approach.
What Size Keep Out Sign Should You Choose?
Sign size should be considered in relation to the location and expected viewing distance.
A small sign may work well on an internal door.
The same sign could be difficult to notice on a large construction-site fence or farm gate.
Consider:
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How far away people will be
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How quickly they need to recognise the instruction
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Mounting height
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Available space
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Lighting
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Surrounding signs and visual clutter
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Whether the location is indoors or outdoors
Don't automatically choose the smallest option simply because it fits.
The sign needs to be large enough to perform its intended job.
Which Material Is Best for a Keep Out Sign?
The appropriate material depends on where the sign will be displayed.
Self-Adhesive Vinyl
Self-adhesive signs can be convenient for suitable clean, smooth surfaces and many indoor applications.
Rigid Plastic
Rigid plastic provides a lightweight option for doors, walls, fences and other suitable locations.
Aluminium Composite
Aluminium composite can provide a robust rigid option for outdoor locations and more demanding environments.
For an outdoor sign, consider weather exposure, mounting method and the expected life of the installation before choosing.
Keep Out Sign Checklist
Before ordering a Keep Out sign, ask:
Who are you trying to keep out?
Everybody, members of the public, visitors, pedestrians, children or people without authorisation?
Can anybody enter?
If authorised employees or contractors can enter, No Unauthorised Access or Authorised Personnel Only may be clearer.
Why is access restricted?
If there's a particular hazard, consider whether additional warning signage is required.
Is the restriction temporary or permanent?
Temporary work may require different mounting and access-control arrangements from a permanent restricted area.
How far away must the sign be seen?
Use this to help choose an appropriate size.
Will the sign be outdoors?
Choose a suitable material and fixing method.
Can the area be approached from several directions?
Check whether more than one sign is required.
Which Access Sign Should You Choose?
Here's a simple starting point.
Keep Out – people need to remain outside the area.
No Entry – people must not enter or proceed beyond a particular point.
No Access – an area, entrance or route isn't available for access.
No Unauthorised Access – people need permission before entering.
Authorised Personnel Only – only approved or designated people may enter.
Staff Only – employees can enter, but customers or visitors shouldn't.
No Pedestrians – the restriction specifically applies to people on foot.
Choosing more precise wording can make an access restriction much easier to understand.
Shop Keep Out & Access Signs
The Sign Shed manufactures a wide range of Keep Out, No Entry and Access Signs for construction sites, workplaces, warehouses, factories, farms and private premises.
Choose from a range of messages, sizes and materials for doors, gates, walls, fences, site boundaries and restricted areas.
Before choosing your sign, don't simply ask:
“How do I tell people to keep out?”
Ask:
“Who needs to stay out, and why?”
The answer will help you choose a sign that communicates the restriction much more clearly.
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