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Farm Water Safety Signs

Signs are a low-cost layer of protection around farm water. A well-chosen sign, placed where people will see it, tells visitors and workers what to avoid before they get close.

What kinds of signs do farms use?

Common signs include warnings that mark deep water, no-swimming or keep-out notices, signs for equipment such as rescue aids, and directional signs that help responders find the site. Each has a different job, so choose them to match the hazard.

Sign standards and colors are published by official bodies, and OSHA has guidance related to safety signs in the workplace. Check with OSHA and your extension office for what applies to your operation before you buy.

Do not use signs to make claims you cannot support. Say what the hazard is and what people should do, and avoid words that suggest a level of safety.

What makes a sign effective?

Effective signs are simple, readable and consistent. Use large letters, high contrast colors, a hazard label such as Danger, Warning or Caution, and a plain message. Add a picture symbol so that children and non-English readers understand.

Avoid clutter. A sign with too much text will not be read. If you need more detail, put it in the orientation talk or a handout and keep the sign for the main message.

Test a sign by showing it to someone who has never seen your farm. If they can say what it means in a few seconds, the message is working.

• One message per sign.
• Large lettering and strong contrast.
• Picture symbol and, where needed, a second language.
• Durable material that stands up to weather.

Where should signs go?

Put signs at each approach to the water: gates, lanes, the road end and any path along the bank. Think about who is likely to come, and from which direction. Walk the property as a visitor would and note where you would first see the water.

Mount signs at a height and angle that can be seen in daylight and low light. If vegetation grows quickly, plan to trim it. Place equipment signs near rescue aids so they can be found quickly.

Remember that signs cannot be read in the dark by someone walking across a field, so use fences and gates where nighttime access is possible.

Do signs create legal responsibilities?

Rules about signs, fences and liability vary by state and county. This article cannot tell you what is required where you farm. Ask your state agriculture department, your county, your attorney and your insurer what applies, and keep notes on the advice you receive.

Signs are one safety measure and not a substitute for supervision, barriers and training. Keep a record of your inspections and repairs as part of your safety plan.

Keep photographs of signs and fences with the date taken. Records help you see when something has changed or been damaged.

• Ask your state agency what applies to ponds.
• Ask your insurer about sign and fence expectations.
• Keep notes of any advice you receive.

How do you keep signs readable?

Sun, rain, ice and mowers damage signs. Check them whenever you check fences, replace faded or broken signs and repost any that have fallen. Clean dirt and algae off, and trim weeds.

Add sign checks to a seasonal list and assign a person to do them. A sign that cannot be read is the same as no sign.

If a sign is vandalized, replace it quickly and consider whether the site needs additional barriers or lighting.

How do signs fit with the rest of the safety plan?

Signs support fences, locked gates, life jackets, rescue aids, training and a communication plan. Make sure your orientation for workers and family explains what each sign means and why the rule exists. Children should learn the main symbols early.

Review the signs at least once a year with your whole crew. Ask whether anyone has noticed a spot where a sign is missing or confusing.

Introduce each sign during orientation and explain the reason behind it, so people see signs as helpful information, not decoration.

• Explain every sign during orientation.
• Teach children the main symbols.
• Review signs with the whole crew each year.

Where can you get help choosing signs?

Your county extension office, your state agriculture and environmental agencies and OSHA can advise on sign content and placement. Ask your local fire department to look at directional signs for responders. Avoid copying designs from memory.

Buy from reputable suppliers and read the product information. This site does not recommend specific vendors, so compare options and ask for official guidance first.

Ask neighboring farms what has worked for them. Shared experience from the same region is often the most practical guidance available.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.