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Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2023 July 11

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July 11

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Warning beacons on construction equipment

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Over the last few years I've noticed that a lot of diggers etc have two warning beacons: one amber and one green. I understand that the amber beacon is to draw attention to a moving or working machine that may be hazardous, but what is the purpose of the green beacon? I might add that I don't frequent construction sites, but I do frequently get stuck in traffic jams alongside or behind transporters of such equipment! :-( Martin of Sheffield (talk) 08:38, 11 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]

You don't mention the country. Where I am at (South Carolina, US), I have noticed that a lot of construction equipment has a green light that turns on when the seatbelt is buckled. It turns off when it is unbuckled. I thought it a rather weird thing and I'm not sure if it is some silly government regulation or if there is a secondary purpose for the light. 12.116.29.106 (talk) 12:26, 11 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]
@Martin of Sheffield: In the UK, they're used show whether the seatbelt is fastened or not. Not to be confused with green flashing lights on emergency vehicles used by medical doctors. See [1] for some more stuff. Bazza (talk) 12:37, 11 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks both. Yes, I'm based in the UK. The link from Bazza 7 explains it all. Martin of Sheffield (talk) 13:13, 11 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]