Color-coded systems are one of the most effective visual cues for quickly communicating important information. The pipe labels, safety signs, equipment tags, and floor marking all present you with the opportunity to follow a color system that is easy to follow and will keep your facility safe and efficient.
Before you begin purchasing floor tape, you will want to develop a standard for your own workplace and determine what each color of tape will represent. Although there are no OSHA regulations for floor marking color, below we have outlined common floor tape colors and where they can be used in the workplace.
White: White floor tape is often used to designate the homes for facility equipment. Outline fixtures, racks, carts, and even trash with white tape so workers know where these items are kept on a daily basis.
Yellow: One of the best uses for using yellow floor tape is to create a traffic pattern in your workplace. Pedestrians, forklift operators, workers, and even guests to the facility will be able to navigate the area and know exactly where they can safely walk. Yellow floor tape can also be used to outline the perimeter of work cells.
Green, Blue, or Black: Often used interchangeably, these three colors are used when storing inventory. You can assign one of these colors for finished goods, one for raw materials, and one for works in progress.
Red: Red floor tape is hard to miss and is a great indicator for marking off the storage location for scrap materials, defective products, and items that may need to be reworked.
Orange: Any materials, products, or supplies being held for inspection can be kept in areas designated with orange tape.
In addition to solid floor tapes, you can use hazard-striped tape for safety. Red & white striped tape is used to denote areas that must be kept clear due to a safety or compliance reason and a black & yellow tape will indicate areas that may be hazardous to their health. Finally, black & white tape can also be used for areas that will need to be kept clear but is more operational related than safety.
Once you have chosen the color-coded system you would like to utilize, be consistent! Follow the system in every part of your facility, and companies with multiple facilities should implement the same standards in each location. If you will also be adding floor signs and shapes to your floor marking strategy, you will want to continue adhering to the color system you have set. The color code also isn’t a secret; post it in a location that is easily accessible for all workers and everyone working or spending time in the facility will need to be trained on what the different colored tapes mean.
Use industrial floor tape to improve safety, organization, and efficiency without taking up valuable space or dealing with the hassle of floor paint. Floor tape can be installed in less than a day and you will find the floor markings will last for years. Want to change it up a bit? Even though industrial floor tape features a strong adhesive backing, the removal process is fairly simple and doesn’t require harsh chemicals. Tape is a simple tool, but can make a world of difference in your workplace.
Additional Resources
- Industrial Floor Marking Guidelines– creativesafetysupply.com
- Floor Marking Tape Color Standards– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- OHSA Standards for Floor Marking– aislemarking.com
- Floor Marking Guidelines– safetyblognews.com
- Floor Tape Applications– floortape101.com
- OSHA Floor Marking Standards– floor-marking-tape.com
- Improving Workplace Efficiency with Floor Marking– 5snews.com
- Pipe Marking Color Codes– bridge-to-safety.com
- Employing The Services Of Industrial Floor Marking Tapes– lean-news.com