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What is Floor Marking?

09 February, 2024
4 MINUTE READ


Floor tape on a mechanic's shop floor

Visual safety communication takes many forms in the workplace. Beyond just signs and labels, floor marking is a valuable tool to communicate hazards, mark exit routes, and ensure traffic safety. Floor marking involves the use of colored lines, shapes, and symbols on the floor to convey important information in the workplace. This practice is particularly common in industrial settings, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities.  

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Here are some common uses of floor marking for workplace safety: 

  1. DN_OSHA-Floor-Marking_Float-2Pathways and Aisles: Clearly marked pathways and aisles help guide the movement of people, vehicles, and materials. Different colors may be used to designate specific areas or indicate the flow of traffic.
  2. Hazardous Areas: Floor markings can highlight hazardous zones, such as areas where there is a risk of falling objects, exposure to chemicals, or other potential dangers. This helps employees stay aware of potential risks and take necessary precautions.
  3. Emergency Exits and Escape Routes: Clearly marked floor paths leading to emergency exits and escape routes assist in quick and safe evacuation during emergencies. This is crucial for the well-being of employees in case of fire, natural disasters, or other urgent situations.
  4. Storage Areas: Marking designated areas for storing materials and equipment ensures organized and safe storage practices. A variety of colors may be used to distinguish between different types of materials or storage requirements.
  5. Workstations and Equipment Placement: Floor marking can be used to outline the boundaries of individual workstations or the proper placement of equipment. This helps maintain clear pathways and prevent overcrowding in specific areas.
  6. Safety and Caution Signs: Floor markings can complement other safety signage by reinforcing important messages. For example, a painted line with the word "CAUTION" can alert employees to be mindful of potential hazards.

It's important to establish consistent and clear communication about the meaning of different floor markings within the workplace. Training employees on the significance of various floor markings and regularly maintaining the markings ensures their effectiveness in promoting a safer work environment. 

OSHA Requirements for Floor Marking 

OSHA requires that all walking and working surfaces are inspected periodically, and kept clean, safe, and accessible (29 CFR §1910.22). Where mechanical equipment such as forklifts are used, safe clearances must be maintained, and permanent aisles and passageways must be appropriately marked (§1910.176). Floor marking is a convenient and inexpensive step toward meeting these requirements. 

Color Regulations 

OSHA’s general color code for marking hazards, described in 29 CFR §1910.144, only uses two different colors: red for “Danger” (marking severe hazards), and yellow for “Caution” (marking less severe hazards). 

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z535 uses red for “Danger” and yellow for “Caution,” just like the OSHA color code. They also use orange for “Warning” (for hazards that are not as extreme as “Danger,” but are more serious than “Caution” might imply). The ANSI Z535 standard adds green for safety messages and information, and blue for notices that provide other, facility-specific information. While these color assignments are described as used on signs and labels, the same general colors can be used for other needs, such as floor marking. 

Improve Workplace Safety  

Floor marking serves as a crucial element in enhancing workplace safety and understanding. Consider the following examples of how floor marking can be effectively utilized to promote safety in various aspects of a work environment:

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Traffic Routes: 

Clear and distinct pathways for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic are paramount for daily operations, especially during emergencies. The prevalence of workplace fatalities resulting from forklift collisions underscores the importance of well-marked traffic routes. Effective floor marking should be easily comprehensible, letting everyone navigate safely. Employ floor tape to: 

  • Distinguish separate lanes for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 
  • Identify intersections and blind spots around corners. 
  • Highlight safe pathways to exits, stairwells, aisles, and emergency equipment, even in low-light conditions. 

DN_What-Is-Floor-Marking_Float-4Hazardous Areas: 

Employers bear the responsibility of safeguarding workers from occupational hazards. Preventing potential accidents can be achieved through installing traction, safety messages, and hazard-striped boundaries. Enhance safety by marking: 

  • Pedestrian pathways and boundaries in high-traffic areas around moving machinery, equipment, loading docks, and electrical panels. 
  • PPE-required work areas with hazards and entry requirements clearly marked. 
  • Slippery areas such as washdown stations, stairs, and handrails. 

DN_What-Is-Floor-Marking_Float-3Product & Material Storage: 

Minimize confusion and optimize efficiency by clearly marking storage areas for products and materials. In line with 5S and lean strategies, color-coding facilitates communication about the designated locations for materials, contributing to overall organization. Mark and outline these three areas: 

  1. Temporary and long-term storage areas.
  2. Raw material storage bins and inventory, including minimum and maximum fill lines.
  3. Pallet staging areas within the warehouse. 

Machinery & Equipment: 

Ensure efficient access to tools by marking the floor with designated locations for machinery and equipment. This not only helps prevent clutter but also reduces the risk of injuries. Apply floor tape to: 

  • Guide workers to tools by color-coding storage areas such as tool boards, cabinets, and drawers. 
  • Designate parking spaces for forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, and other large equipment. 
  • Safely direct personnel around moving machinery through accents and outlines. 

Floor Marking & Wayfinding:

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Creating a visual workplace involves incorporating labels, signs, and other visible cues to facilitate understanding of the operational aspects of an area. This includes instructional placards on walls and machinery, signs with important reminders, equipment labels, and inventory management tags. A visual workplace, including floor marking, is integral to comprehensive lean manufacturing and 5S initiatives. Floor marking aligns with a broader organizational philosophy known as Wayfinding, essential for orienting individuals in physical spaces and guiding them from one location to another. Wayfinding principles encompass four stages: 

  1. Orientation: Determining one's location in relation to nearby objects.
  2. Route Decision: Selecting a course of direction to a specific destination.
  3. Route Monitoring: Ensuring the selected route leads toward the intended destination.
  4. Destination Recognition: Confirming when the final destination has been reached.

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Floor Marking Color Patterns 

While every facility will have its own plan, there are certain colors and patterns that have common uses in floor marking deployment. Make sure to train your employees on the specific colors and patterns used in your facility. 

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DN_The-Right-Floor-Marking-Tape_FloatYELLOW - Commonly used for pedestrian and equipment traffic lanes, aisles and pathways.

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WHITE - Used for general production to border machines, racks, workstations, and equipment.

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RED - Often used as boundary for red tag areas, scrap, and defective inventory.

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ORANGE - For holding materials or products, often for inspection.

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BLACK/GREEN/BLUE/PURPLE - Materials management stages including raw materials, finished goods, and in-process manufacturing.

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RED/WHITE STRIPING - Identifies areas that need to be kept clear for safety such as equipment operations, electrical panels, and exits.

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BLACK/WHITE STRIPING - Identifies areas that must be kept clear for operations and workflow.

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BLACK/YELLOW STRIPING - Use in areas that present health hazards and require extra caution.

Find Your Path to Safety 

Floor marking is an indispensable component of a safe and organized workplace, providing visual cues that guide and protect employees. To implement an effective floor marking strategy, it's essential to utilize high-quality materials and equipment. DuraLabel offers a comprehensive line of floor tapes, signs, and industrial label printers that are specifically designed to meet the demands of diverse work environments. 

DuraLabel's floor marking solutions not only enhances safety but also contributes to the overall efficiency and organization of your workspace. Take the next step in elevating your workplace safety standards by exploring DuraLabel's offerings today.  

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