Industrial Floor Markings to Improve Health and Safety

Floor markings improve visual communication, which boosts facility safety. But, there’s more to marking the floors than applying lines and navigational cues. Floor markings can keep aisles and areas clear and bring attention to important safety equipment. Pre-cut floor marking kits, floor signs, and custom-printed floor tape are ideal tools for improving OSHA compliance. Because they’re quick and easy to apply, there’s little downtime. Consider these floor markings for improving safety and communication in your industrial facility, warehouse, or production floor.

Improve Safety by Keeping Electrical Panels Clear

Electrical panels and circuit breakers must be kept clear for safety—clutter can block access to the panel and is a fire hazard. OSHA requires sufficient access and working space around electrical panels. While a sign on the wall or near the electrical panel communicates this requirement, visual reminders such as floor marking tape reinforces it. With lines showing exactly what area must be kept clear, there’s no guessing about what’s considered ‘too close’ to the panel.

A visible label provides a clear understanding of the requirements, which helps prevent OSHA violations and lost safety audit points. Pre-cut electrical panel marking kits include tape strips and floor signs to mark the space that must remain clear and clutter-free. This visual cue acts as both a reminder to keep areas unobstructed, and a guide for exactly how much space around the panel must remain open.

Make Health and Safety Equipment Easy to Spot

Visuals speed up reaction time in an emergency situation. It may be difficult to decipher a color-coded floor marking or spot a single sign on the wall, but pairing floor markings and other clear signage offers clarity that can improve emergency response overall. Make these items stand out in case of emergency:

Fire extinguishers: OSHA Standard 1910.157(c)(1) states: The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury. While this doesn’t specify the type of identification, more visibility is always better. Mounted fire extinguishers can be identified with a highly visible, easy to read sign as well as clear floor markings to indicate a zone that must remain clear and accessible. Our fire extinguisher floor markings are red, the color reserved for fire-related communication. 

Health equipment locations: While occupational hazards will always be a concern in industrial locations, OSHA guidelines are in place both to prevent accidents and to facilitate speedy response with on-site first aid and emergency equipment access. Floor marking kits and visuals remind employees to 

keep areas clear and make health and safety equipment easier to spot, even from a distance. Custom floor tape can be applied for messages specific to a location’s individual needs, while pre-cut floor marking kits are available for:

• Eyewash stations
• First aid kits
• AED and oxygen equipment
• SDS materials

Keep Exits Unobstructed

Floor marking tape is ideal for marking means of egress or exit routes, but what about the exit discharge that evacuates to the outdoors? Some OSHA guidelines include:

• 1910.37(a)(3) Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route. (…)

• 1910.37(b)(3) Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the exit route door.
• 1910.37(b)(4) if the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge. Additionally, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times.
• 1910.37(b)(5) Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked “Not an Exit” or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g., closet).

While OSHA states that the exit must be unobstructed, the requirement doesn’t give specifics as to how to enforce the requirement. Go beyond the bare minimum with visuals that encourage compliance. Mark the floor in front of the exit discharge to illustrate the areas which must remain clear, then include signage with additional details such as “Keep Clear, Do Not Obstruct Exit.” Our exit marking kits are available in a variety of sizes to suit your facility’s needs. For added visibility and navigational instructions, pair with directional cues like arrows, footprints, aisle markings, and floor signs.

Highlight Potential Hazards

From pinch points to door swing, floor signs bring attention to common industrial facility hazards. Reminders of forklift traffic, navigational instructions to separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic, “Stop” or “Yield” signals, or signage for organization; we carry floor markings to keep employees safe and working efficiently. Pair with taped lines or pre-cut three-sided boundary tape kits to create your own safety messages.

Benefits of Pre-Cut Kits Versus Floor Tape

Floor tape, sign, or pre-cut floor marking kit, which is better? Some hazards, like low-clearance areas, elevation changes, or barriers may benefit from pre-printed or custom floor marking tape rather than a pre-cut kit. Choose the option that works best for your facility, or use a combination depending on need. Each type of floor marking material offers value in warehouses, on the workfloor, or in the office.

Industrial floor markings are necessary for safety and efficiency, and choosing the right material for the job saves time and money. Whether marking means of egress and exits, keeping essential areas clear, or bringing attention to hazards, floor marking tape, pre-cut kits, and durable floor signs provide options. Boost on-site safety with our floor marking solutions, and explore the Safety & OSHA Compliance articles on our blog for more tips.