Safety markings on floor are a critical component of any facility’s visual management system. They help reduce accidents and injuries by clearly identifying potential hazards, equipment locations or safety protocols for employees to follow. They can also assist with facility organisation, making it easier for workers to find tools, supplies and machinery quickly and improve workflows.
Regardless of the industry, warehouse or manufacturing safety markings on floor plant, safety markings can have a significant impact on employee safety and productivity. For example, in distribution centers or warehouses where forklifts are common, a properly implemented floor marking program can prevent collisions between pedestrians and operating forklifts. This is a huge problem that can result in serious injuries for both parties, and it can often be prevented with proper line marking and awareness of forklift safety protocols.
In addition to hazard markers, clear facility signage can also be very helpful when it comes to ensuring that everyone knows where the exits are or how to properly access equipment. This can help minimize the risk of injury due to employees getting lost or mistaking a piece of machinery for an exit, and it can also ensure that the right people are able to access necessary emergency services if needed.
There are many different styles of business and industrial floor tape markings with various colors, widths and patterns that can communicate a wide range of messages. For example, red floor markings indicate danger while yellow ones mean caution. Additionally, some types of floor tape markings are designed to specifically identify fire related hazards by using a specific color or pattern that is easily identifiable.
One of the most effective ways to communicate safety messages within a facility is through the use of floor signs that can be placed in areas where there are no hazard marker lines present. These types of floor signs can display text or images that convey important information to employees such as “Stop”, “Yield” or “Exit”. They can also be used to communicate specific safety instructions and guidelines such as to use caution near electrical wires or in wet or dry environments.
Another way to communicate safety messages within a facility is by using barriers that act as a vertical extension of the hazard markers. These are ideal for separating volatile areas like material handling and transportation zones from vulnerable areas such as pedestrian passageways or racks. They can also be used to prevent forklifts from entering or exiting certain areas of the facility.
Incorporating a system of floor markings that uses both painted lines and self-adhesive tape can be the best way to achieve a wide range of safety benefits in any facility. This is particularly true for facilities where there are multiple different safety regulations that need to be followed. Fortunately, most of the standards that are provided by OSHA and similar organizations simply formalize common sense concepts that have been proven to be very effective in improving worker safety.