What Problems Does Floor Marking Address? 

Floor marking is the process of using tapes, paints, or other visual indicators to prevent accidents and increase productivity. Just like how lanes of the road are separated by painted lines and traffic signs, marking interior pathways helps establish wayfinding for indoor traffic and provides guides to enhance workplace safety. 

Floor marking is a simple yet powerful tool to foster a more organized and efficient work environment. Explore how it can effectively address common workplace challenges. Here are 5 ways industrial floor marking tape and signs can solve everyday challenges: 

1. Establish Traffic Lanes and Pedestrian Walkways

Industrial manufacturing and warehousing environments often require workers and vehicles to operate in near proximity. Floor signs and tape can serve as a simple measure to create a buffer zone between pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Installing vibrant and clear signage at your facility provides gentle reminders for vehicle operators to slow down, and for foot traffic to remain vigilant in these areas.  

Consistent marking tape serves as a daily reminder for employees on how to operate safely for themselves and others. Particularly in high-activity areas, these visual cues are essential for guiding movement and maintaining an orderly flow of traffic, contributing to increased workplace safety.

2. Highlighting Hazardous Areas 

High visibility (hi vis) floor tapes can be used to signal areas with a high risk of spills, falling objects, or where hazardous materials are stored. Reinforcing your existing safety protocols will remind workers to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in certain areas and indicate a safe distance from machinery that could present a risk.

One such risk surrounds electrical panels and equipment where arc flash hazards exist. Arc flash is an electrical explosion or discharge that can result in severe injury or death. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), each year:

• 5-10 arc flash incidents occur daily
• 2,000 people are treated for arc flash injuries

Proper safety floor tape helps establish a safe distance one should keep from machinery that poses an arc flash risk. Industrial floor marking tape can also be customized to provide specific instructions regarding the varying degrees of danger and when proper PPE is required. Workers are constantly reminded to practice caution around equipment where arc flash hazards exist when those areas are clearly marked by signs and warehouse floor tape. 

3. Organization and Efficiency 

An unorganized facility leads to delays, and delays result in lost opportunities. Floor marking helps designate specific areas for different activities or storage, so employees spend less time searching for what they need to complete their job. 

Newer employees and temporary staff will benefit from a well-marked facility, as floor signs provide a method to self-guide themselves without needing to seek out others for directions. Even long-standing employees will benefit from floor tapes, as a standardized organization helps ensure the tools they need are stored away properly after use.  

4. Compliance with Regulation

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the standards in the United States for workplace safety. OSHA’s mission is to establish and enforce standards that protect men and women at their jobs. At its core, OSHA is an advocate for the health and safety of American workers. Its floor marking regulations and initiatives are aimed at protecting your team by preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. 

Compliance with these wayfinding standards is not just a legal requirement. It represents a commitment to the well-being of your employees. This commitment can lead to increased worker satisfaction, higher productivity, and a reduction in costly accidents and potential litigation. 

5. Prepare for Emergencies

Floor marking plays an indispensable role in emergency preparedness by guiding your team during critical situations when time is limited, and quick decisions need to be made. It ensures that in the event of an emergency, everyone can identify exit routes and locate vital equipment like fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and defibrillators because of proper placement of signs and safety floor tape. This process will also aid emergency responders when navigating your facility upon arrival. 

It's important to consider scenarios such as power outages when the resources we take for granted suddenly disappear. In such events, specialized hi vis tape that glows in the dark can help your team navigate in areas without natural light.  

Examining Floor Marking Solutions 

Determining the best floor marking approach largely depends on your facility’s infrastructure. Using epoxy-based paint is beneficial for permanent floor marking that does not need to be adjusted or replaced. However, marking tape has the convenience of being easier to apply and remove should a facility’s processes change. The floor tapes come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures to allow for a greater range of customization while maintaining a uniform standard. High-quality safety floor tape is also designed to withstand heavy foot and vehicle traffic and is built for a wide variety of harsh environments such as extreme cold, heat, or slick conditions.  

Some work environments aren’t suitable for either painting or warehouse floor tape and could benefit from a projector that can help illuminate lines and signs that mark hazards and walkways. Projectors have the advantage of allowing for modifications without demanding much labor to make the change. These projected lines also mean there is no wear and tear from high traffic, and they remain bright in dim conditions. 

DuraLabel Floor Marking Resources 

Marking tape was designed to enhance visual communication by creating a safe working environment for anyone who inhibits those spaces. The benefits of floor tapes has been proven to reduce the risk of injury through its visual reminders at the time you need them. Choosing the right safety floor tape for your facility may require additional support. With the assistance from our safety experts, we can guide you through the process of determining the type of industrial floor marking tape that will suit your environment. Give us a call today at 1-888-411-3520 and one of our experts will guide you through the process.  

DuraLabel’s free Floor Marking Instant Action guide can help create safe pathways for pedestrians and vehicular traffic, reduce confusion and improve efficiency, as well as guide workers to the tools they need. Download a free copy of the Floor Marking Instant Action Guide today.  

Want to learn how to implement a 5S plan? The guide helps readers understand how to create a plan and set standards, and how to optimize safety and improve efficiency. Request your free 5S Instant Action Guide.

Read Next: 

How to Choose the Right Floor Marking Tape 

Industrial Wayfinding 101: Navigating the Complex Terrain of Industrial Spaces