Visual communication is important for workplace safety, but all too often a facility’s visual strategy will stop after wall signs and labels. While both are great tools that absolutely need to be used, the messages they are conveying can be better communicated with the additional use of floor markings. Floor tapes, shapes, and signs are easy to install and can be used for a variety of applications, but they are some of the best visual cues for safety. The following are just a few areas where you can utilize floor markings to significantly improve safety,
In case of emergency: No matter how many drills your facility runs or training sessions you offer, you can truly never know how workers will react during an emergency. What you can do however, is give them an extra layer of assistance with floor markings. Use photoluminescent tape to line the pathways of emergency routes and mark the exits with a photoluminescent floor sign. In the case of a power outage or blackout, this tape will glow brightly and lead everyone to safety. Additionally, use floor signs to help people find the things they may need to locate in a pinch: a fire extinguisher, eye wash station, AEDs, etc. These signs are great not only for employees, but they can be especially important for emergency responders or visitors to the facility.
Electrical hazards: One of the most common electrical hazards in the workplace are electrical panels. Nearly every workplace has at least one, and it is critical they are not blocked and be easily accessible if need be. In addition to hanging up safety signs around the electrical panel, consider adding floor markings to ensure your message is clearly communicated. One option is to install a large and easy-to-see floor sign directly below the panel, reminding workers to not block the panel and that the area in front of the panel (typically around 36 inches) must be kept clear at all times. Another option is to combine a couple different strategies by placing floor signs under the electrical panel and outlining the area that must be kept clear with hazard-striped tape
Traffic control: A piece of machinery weighing thousands of pounds that travel throughout warehouses, manufacturing facilities, construction sites, etc., pose a major hazard. Forklift safety is one of OSHA’s most frequently cited standards, and the associated risks may even be deadly. In addition to having properly trained operators and enforcing safety rules, floor marking can be one of the simplest (and yet most effective) measures you can take. Keep people working or walking too close to forklifts by using yellow floor tape to create two separate lanes, one for pedestrians and one for forklifts. Having a designated walking zone will keep individuals at a safe distance and traffic flowing smoothly.
Safety reminders: Floor signs are easy to see and can communicate safe practices or hazard reminders, like stop signs for forklift operators or PPE reminders, with just a glance. Wall signs and floor signs should not be an either-or decision, but rather the two are used together for a stronger visual communication strategy. Additionally, hazard-striped tape is a great tool for marking off hazardous areas or dangerous machines.
Additional Resources
- Floor Marking for Electrical Panel Compliance– creativesafetysupply.com
- Improving Facility Safety With a Visual Communication Strategy– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- 5 Ways to Use Floor Tape in Your Facility– floortape101.com
- Floor Tapes for Safety– blog.safetytac.com
- Improving Safety with Floor Marking– realsafety.org
- Line Marking & Floor Tape– aislemarking.com
- How Floor Tape can Improve the Safety and Visual Management of your Facility– safetyblognews.com
- Implementing Floor Markings in your Facility– hiplogic.com
- Floor Marking Applications– floor-tape.com