Pedestrian and vehicle route signs for yards and warehouses
By Jason Misters. Published 22 October 2026.
Where people and vehicles share a site, separate them first with marked walkways, barriers and crossing points. Then add signs at the entrances and crossing points: a walkway sign for pedestrians, a fork lift warning for entrances, and a no-pedestrian-access sign at vehicle-only areas.
Separate first, then sign
HSE guidance on workplace transport safety (HSG136) says to keep pedestrians and vehicles apart where possible, using separate routes, barriers and clearly marked crossing points. Signs help people follow that layout. They do not replace it.
Which sign where
| Place | Sign | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Start of a marked walkway | Pedestrian walkway | Tells people on foot which route to use |
| Pedestrian entrances to a fork lift area | Warning fork lift trucks operating | Warns before people step into the area |
| Edge of a vehicle-only zone or racking aisle | No pedestrian access | Stops people walking into the area |
Placement tips
- Mount signs where they can be read before the hazard, not once someone is already in it.
- Choose a size that reads from the distance people will see it. See our guide to sign size.
- Use rigid signs outdoors and in yards, where vinyl is more likely to peel or be knocked.
- Review the layout when the site changes, and remove signs that no longer match it.
Signs support workplace controls. They do not replace a suitable and sufficient risk assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need signs if I have marked walkways?
Marked walkways do most of the work. Signs add a clear message at the start of the route and where people might cut across a vehicle path. Your risk assessment decides how many you need.
What size sign for a warehouse entrance?
People often need to read these from several metres away, so a 300 × 400 mm sign, readable at about 15 metres, is a common starting point.
Signs mentioned in this guide
Sources and further reading
This guide is general information for workplaces in Great Britain, not legal advice. Signs support workplace controls; they do not replace a suitable and sufficient risk assessment.