If it seems like you're constantly headed for the candle drawer every time the lights flicker, you may unknowingly be part of a national trend. Power outages are increasingly common as severe weather compromises electronic grids throughout the United States. According to The Washington Post, "Power outages of all sorts are becoming more frequent since 1992, but the real action has come from weather-related outages." The article notes that, since 2003, "weather-related outages have cost an average of about $18 billion to $33 billion per year."
Most of us have a steady supply of candles, matches, and extra water at home, but how prepared is your workplace for potential outages? While the Department of Energy (DOE) works to beef up power grids and make them more resilient, safety professionals and facility managers can shore up emergency evacuation areas with glow-in-the-dark visual communication methods so workers can quickly find their way outside. Organized, clear visual communication, such as in the figure to the right, is vital in emergency evacuations.
PathFinder floor marking, wayfinding, and safety tape by Duralabel includes a selection of glow tape to help light the way in emergency evacuations:
Duralabel is uniquely equipped to assist with industrial visual communication needs. As well as PathFinder floor marking, wayfinding, and safety tapes, the company carries pipe labeling supplies and safety signage suited to a variety of industry- and location-specific applications.