Uniform Color Codes and What They Mean in Different Industries

Color isn’t just a branding choice in industrial uniforms — it’s a communication tool. In many sectors, uniform color codes help quickly identify roles, departments, or safety clearance levels on a busy worksite. For procurement managers and business owners, understanding and applying these standards correctly improves safety, efficiency, and compliance.

Here’s a look at common uniform color codes and how they’re used across industries.

1. Construction and Engineering

In construction, color coding is often informal but widely adopted for clarity on large sites.

• White: Supervisors, engineers, or management staff

• Yellow: General laborers

• Green: Safety officers or first-aid personnel

• Orange: Roadwork or high-visibility roles

• Blue: Technical specialists (e.g., electricians, plumbers)

These colors may be combined with reflective stripes for compliance with EN ISO 20471 standards.

2. Oil & Gas

The oil & gas sector tends to follow strict color coding — especially on rigs, refineries, or petrochemical plants where miscommunication can be critical.

• Red: Fire watch or firefighting personnel

• Blue: General workforce

• Green: HSE and safety teams

• Grey/White: Supervisors and managers

• Orange: New or untrained workers (often used as a safety warning)

Each company may adopt slight variations based on location and local regulations.

3. Manufacturing and Warehousing

Color coding helps distinguish between departments and access zones.

• Black/Navy: Warehouse and logistics teams

• Grey: Machine operators or factory floor workers

• Blue: Maintenance staff

• Green/Hi-Vis: Forklift operators or those working near moving equipment

• Red or Yellow Vests: Visitors or contractors (temporary clearance)

4. Healthcare and Sanitation (Industrial-Level)

For companies supplying to large healthcare operations or public sanitation contracts:

• White: Cleanroom or sterile area personnel

• Blue/Green: General sanitation or environmental services

• Orange/Red: Waste disposal or hazardous materials

5. Utility Services (Municipal or Private)

In electric, water, and telecom utilities, uniform color can indicate the nature of the work or contractor.

• Blue: Water services

• Orange/Yellow: Electrical work (often includes flame-retardant gear)

• Grey/Green: Telecom or low-voltage tasks

• Hi-Vis Combinations: For roadside or underground work

Tips for Implementation

• Always combine color codes with proper certifications for visibility, flame resistance, or chemical protection

• Ensure all departments are trained on what each color represents

• Standardize uniform policies across your sites to avoid confusion

Final Thought

Color-coded uniforms do more than look organized — they help prevent accidents, improve communication, and align with best practices in high-risk industries. TFQ Trading offers a full range of color-coded uniform solutions tailored to meet your operational and safety needs.