Warehouses can be busy environments where employees, visitors and contractors move alongside forklift trucks, delivery vehicles and other workplace transport.
Clear warehouse pedestrian signs can help people identify where they should walk, which entrance they should use, where they should cross and which areas they shouldn't enter.
But which pedestrian signs should a warehouse actually display?
There isn't a standard list that applies to every warehouse. The signs you need depend on your layout, vehicle movements, pedestrian routes and workplace risk assessment.
A practical way to start is to follow the pedestrian's journey through the warehouse.
Start With the Pedestrian Journey
Imagine somebody arriving at your warehouse for the first time.
Can they answer these questions without having to guess?
Where should I enter?
Which walkway should I follow?
Which way do I turn?
Where should I cross a vehicle route?
Which areas should I stay out of?
How do I reach reception or my destination?
If any part of that journey is unclear, pedestrian signage may be able to help communicate the intended route.
A typical journey could look like:
PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE
↓
PEDESTRIAN ROUTE
↓
PEDESTRIANS →
↓
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
↓
PEDESTRIAN ROUTE
↓
RECEPTION
At other routes:
NO PEDESTRIANS
Let's look at the different signs that can form part of this system.
1. Pedestrian Route Signs
Pedestrian Route signs identify a route or walkway that pedestrians are expected to use.
They can be particularly useful where employees and visitors need to follow a designated walkway through a warehouse, yard or other operational area.
Potential locations include:
-
Warehouse entrances
-
Walkway entrances
-
Industrial yards
-
Loading areas
-
Car parks
-
Routes between buildings
-
Routes towards reception
Don't think of a Pedestrian Route sign as an isolated instruction.
Once someone starts following the route, they should be able to identify where it continues.
If the walkway reaches a junction or changes direction, additional directional signage may be useful.
2. Pedestrian Entrance Signs
Many warehouses have large vehicle entrances, loading doors and pedestrian entrances relatively close together.
Make it clear which entrance people on foot are expected to use.
A Pedestrian Entrance sign can help identify a separate pedestrian doorway or gate and discourage people from entering through a vehicle access point.
Consider the complete approach to the building.
If someone walking from the car park reaches the vehicle gate before they can identify the pedestrian entrance, additional directional signage may be helpful earlier on the route.
3. Pedestrian Direction Signs
Directional pedestrian signs can be useful where a route isn't immediately obvious.
Examples include:
← Pedestrians
Pedestrians →
↑ Pedestrians
Consider directional signs at:
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Walkway junctions
-
Corners
-
Changes of direction
-
Entrances
-
Warehouse yards
-
Routes around loading areas
Check the arrow carefully once the sign has been installed.
Always view it from the direction in which the pedestrian will approach.
4. Pedestrian Crossing Signs
Ideally, pedestrians and vehicles should be kept apart wherever reasonably practicable.
However, there may be locations where a pedestrian route has to cross a vehicle route.
Where designated crossing points are provided, appropriate signage and markings can help make the crossing location clear.
Crossings deserve particular attention because this is where pedestrian and vehicle movements intentionally intersect.
Consider:
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Visibility for pedestrians
-
Visibility for drivers
-
Vehicle approach directions
-
Lighting
-
Obstructions
-
Road markings
-
Barriers or guard rails
-
Who has priority
-
Where pedestrians enter and leave the crossing
A Pedestrian Crossing sign shouldn't be treated as the thing that makes an unsuitable crossing safe.
The crossing itself needs to form part of the warehouse's wider traffic-management arrangements.
5. No Pedestrians Signs
Some warehouse routes or areas shouldn't be used by pedestrians.
No Pedestrians signs can communicate that people on foot aren't permitted to use a particular route or enter an area.
Possible locations might include:
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Vehicle-only routes
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Certain loading areas
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Forklift operating areas
-
Vehicle entrances
-
Operational zones
But there's another question to ask:
If pedestrians can't go this way, where should they go instead?
Where appropriate, identify the alternative route.
For example:
NO PEDESTRIANS
Pedestrian Route →
This is more useful than leaving an unfamiliar visitor to find another route for themselves.
6. Pedestrians Must Use This Route Signs
Where pedestrians are required to use a particular route, an appropriate mandatory pedestrian sign can communicate that instruction.
This is different from a general directional sign.
The familiar blue circular pedestrian safety symbol is used for the mandatory instruction Pedestrians must use this route.
This type of sign can be useful where the workplace arrangements require people to use a designated pedestrian route rather than walking through an adjacent vehicle or operational area.
7. Forklift Warning Signs
Pedestrian signage isn't the only signage to consider in a warehouse.
Where forklift trucks or other industrial vehicles present a relevant hazard, appropriate warning signage may also be needed.
The messages perform different jobs.
Pedestrian Route tells somebody where to walk.
No Pedestrians tells somebody where they must not walk.
A forklift warning sign warns of industrial vehicles.
Don't expect one sign to communicate every part of the risk.
8. Visitor & Reception Signs
Visitors can be particularly important when reviewing warehouse pedestrian routes because they don't know the premises.
An employee may instinctively know:
“Don't walk through that shutter door.”
A first-time visitor may not.
Signs such as Visitors Report to Reception can therefore work alongside pedestrian route signage.
Think about the journey from:
CAR PARK
to
PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE
to
PEDESTRIAN ROUTE
to
RECEPTION
The easier this journey is to understand, the less visitors have to improvise.
9. Loading Area Signs
Loading areas can bring pedestrians, delivery drivers, HGVs, vans and workplace vehicles into relatively close proximity.
Think carefully about why pedestrians enter the area.
Do employees need to cross it?
Do visiting drivers need to leave their vehicles?
Do drivers need to walk to reception?
Are general pedestrians prohibited?
The correct signs will depend on these arrangements.
For example, a visiting driver might need a clearly identified pedestrian route from a parking or waiting area to a reception point.
Another section of the loading area might require a No Pedestrians instruction.
10. PPE Signs Along Pedestrian Routes
A designated pedestrian route can sometimes lead into an area where particular PPE is required.
If your risk assessment identifies a need for mandatory PPE, appropriate signage can communicate that requirement before someone enters.
Examples could include:
-
High visibility clothing
-
Safety footwear
-
Head protection
-
Eye protection
-
Hearing protection
Don't wait until somebody is already inside the relevant area to tell them what they need to wear.
Place the instruction where they have an opportunity to respond before entering.
Pedestrian Signs Around Forklift Routes
Forklift and pedestrian interaction deserves careful consideration.
The first objective should be to reduce unnecessary interaction between people and workplace vehicles rather than simply adding more warning signs.
Where practicable, pedestrian routes can be separated using measures such as:
-
Dedicated walkways
-
Physical barriers
-
Guard rails
-
Separate entrances
-
Marked crossing points
-
Traffic routes
-
Appropriate signage
Signs can then help explain those arrangements.
For example:
Pedestrians Must Use This Route
can identify the intended walkway, while:
No Pedestrians
can restrict an adjacent route.
The signs reinforce the layout rather than replace it.
Warehouse Pedestrian Signs at Blind Corners
Blind corners and obstructed sight lines deserve particular attention.
Racking, stock, walls and equipment can make it difficult for pedestrians and vehicle operators to see each other.
Don't assume that adding a warning sign automatically solves a visibility problem.
Your workplace transport assessment should consider whether the layout, barriers, routes or other controls can reduce the interaction.
Where signage is appropriate, position it early enough for people to see and understand the instruction before reaching the hazard.
Pedestrian Signs at Warehouse Doors
Warehouse doors can create another potential conflict.
Avoid encouraging pedestrians to routinely walk through entrances intended primarily for vehicles where separate pedestrian access can reasonably be provided.
Where separate doors are available, clearly identify the pedestrian entrance.
Also consider what happens when the door is open.
A sign mounted directly on an open door may disappear from the pedestrian's line of sight.
A fixed sign beside the entrance may sometimes remain more visible.
Warehouse Pedestrian Signs in Car Parks
Your pedestrian route shouldn't necessarily begin at the warehouse door.
Think about where employees and visitors leave their vehicles.
Can they get from the car park to the pedestrian entrance without unnecessarily walking through vehicle manoeuvring areas?
Useful signage could include:
-
Pedestrian Route
-
Pedestrian Entrance
-
Directional pedestrian signs
-
Pedestrian Crossing
-
Reception directions
Treat the car park-to-building journey as part of the wider pedestrian route.
What Does HSE Guidance Say About Pedestrians and Vehicles?
Workplace transport arrangements should consider how pedestrians and vehicles move around the premises.
Where possible, pedestrians should have separate routes or pavements to keep them away from vehicles.
Where pedestrians and vehicles share traffic routes, suitable separation and clearly identified areas may be necessary.
Where the two routes cross, appropriate crossing points should be provided and clearly marked.
Signs can help tell drivers and pedestrians which routes they should use, but they're only one part of the wider workplace transport arrangements.
Are Warehouse Pedestrian Signs a Legal Requirement?
There isn't a universal legal shopping list saying that every UK warehouse must display a set number of Pedestrian Route, Pedestrian Crossing and No Pedestrians signs.
The signage required depends on the workplace and its risks.
UK safety-sign requirements generally apply where a significant risk remains after other relevant measures have been taken.
Traffic routes also need to be appropriately indicated where necessary for health and safety.
The correct approach is therefore to assess how pedestrians and vehicles move around your particular warehouse and determine what controls and signs are appropriate.
Don't Rely on Signs Alone
This is particularly important with warehouse traffic.
A wall covered with pedestrian signs doesn't physically separate somebody from a moving forklift truck.
Depending on the workplace, the wider arrangements might include:
-
Separate pedestrian routes
-
Barriers
-
Guard rails
-
Marked walkways
-
Separate doors
-
Designated crossings
-
Traffic management
-
Speed controls
-
Suitable lighting
-
Training
-
Site rules
Signs communicate those arrangements to the people using the warehouse.
Where Should Warehouse Pedestrian Signs Be Positioned?
Put signs where people need to make a decision.
That could include:
-
Site entrances
-
Car parks
-
Pedestrian gates
-
Warehouse entrances
-
Walkway entrances
-
Junctions
-
Changes of direction
-
Crossing points
-
Loading areas
-
Vehicle-route boundaries
-
Reception routes
Position them so people have time to see and understand the message before they need to act.
How High Should Pedestrian Signs Be?
There isn't one mounting height suitable for every warehouse sign.
Consider:
-
Who needs to see it
-
Viewing distance
-
Direction of approach
-
Racking
-
Stored stock
-
Machinery
-
Parked vehicles
-
Lighting
-
Other signage
A sign mounted too low may disappear behind pallets.
A sign mounted very high may be difficult for pedestrians to notice at close range.
Choose the position according to the location and expected line of sight.
What Size Warehouse Pedestrian Sign Do You Need?
A sign beside an internal pedestrian doorway may be viewed from a relatively short distance.
A sign directing pedestrians across a large yard may need to be recognised from much further away.
Consider the sign's:
-
Viewing distance
-
Mounting position
-
Surroundings
-
Lighting
-
Direction of approach
-
Indoor or outdoor location
The pedestrian should be able to recognise the instruction before reaching the point where they need to make a decision.
Keep Warehouse Pedestrian Signs Visible
Warehouse environments change.
Pallets are moved.
Stock is stacked.
Vehicles are parked.
Temporary equipment appears.
Racking layouts can change.
A sign that was clearly visible when installed may become hidden later.
Periodically walk the pedestrian route and check that signs remain:
-
Visible
-
Legible
-
Relevant
-
Clean
-
Secure
-
Correctly positioned
Also check that directional signs still point towards the correct route.
Avoid Too Many Signs
More signage doesn't automatically create a clearer warehouse.
Too many competing signs can make important instructions harder to notice.
For example, placing several different access messages at the same point can create confusion.
Instead, ask what the pedestrian needs to know at that location.
Then communicate that information as clearly as possible.
Warehouse Pedestrian Sign Checklist
Walk through your warehouse and ask:
Can pedestrians find the correct entrance?
Consider Pedestrian Entrance signage.
Is the designated walkway obvious?
Consider Pedestrian Route or mandatory route signage.
Are junctions clearly signposted?
Use appropriate directional signs where necessary.
Do pedestrians cross vehicle routes?
Review crossing arrangements and signage.
Are there routes pedestrians must not use?
Consider appropriate No Pedestrians signage.
Are forklift hazards clearly communicated where required?
Review relevant warning signs.
Can visitors find reception?
Check the complete route from arrival to reception.
Are PPE requirements communicated before entry?
Position mandatory signs where people can act on the instruction.
Can signs still be seen when doors and gates are open?
Check normal operating conditions.
Could pallets, stock or vehicles obscure signs?
Review the route regularly.
What Should Your Warehouse Display?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
A small warehouse with little vehicle movement may need a very different sign arrangement from a large distribution centre operating multiple forklift trucks, HGVs and loading bays.
Start with the movement of people.
Think:
ARRIVAL
↓
PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE
↓
DESIGNATED WALKWAY
↓
DIRECTION
↓
CROSSING
↓
DESTINATION
Then identify the routes where pedestrians must not go.
This approach helps turn individual signs into a pedestrian route that employees, contractors and visitors can actually understand.
Shop Warehouse Pedestrian Signs
The Sign Shed manufactures Pedestrian Access Signs for warehouses, factories, construction sites and other UK workplaces.
Choose from pedestrian route, entrance, directional, crossing and access-restriction signs in a range of sizes and materials for indoor and outdoor locations.
When reviewing your warehouse signage, don't just count the signs on the walls.
Walk the route from the perspective of somebody visiting for the first time and ask:
“Would they know where to walk without having to guess?”
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