Learn more about Floor Marking Tapes

2 min read

Floor markings are a great visual communication tool to improve safety and organization in the facility. Whether you are in manufacturing or working in a warehouse, creating a floor marking system can improve communication and choosing the best tool for your workplace is important. Floor paint has long been the traditional choice for marking floors, but it may not always be the best choice.

What is floor tape?

Industrial floor tape is typically made from a durable material with a strong adhesive backing to last for years. It comes in all different widths and colors (even glow-in-the-dark) and there are a number of options to choose from like tape with added traction, highly-reflective tape, and hazard striped tape. In most situations, floor tape will be a more beneficial option than floor paint. However, it should be noted that in some situations, paint can make it easier to mark floors in tight spaces or go around corners.

Floor Tape vs Floor Paint

Installation: Any floor marking strategy begins with the actual installation. When using industrial floor paint, you will need to do some extra planning beforehand. You first need to gather all the right tools and equipment which can include rollers, industrial paint sprayers, etc. The next step is to schedule installation, and you may need to even halt production for this. Floor paint usually takes anywhere between three to eight hours to dry and can even take more than 72 hours to cure. This can cause unnecessary downtime and delayed workflow and could shut down entire factory floors.

Tape on the other hand, immediately bonds with the floor after installation with no dry or cure time. You could use a tape applicator for long lines, but it’s not necessary. The only tools you really need for floor tape is your hands! Additionally, you do not need to worry about any toxic fumes or ventilation. Simply install the floor tape and work can immediately resume.

Durability: Industrial tape typically features enhanced protection and can withstand heavy foot traffic, forklift traffic, chemicals, etc. If it does get dirty, it is extremely easy to clean. Over time, the floor tape will stay bold and bright, maintaining its appearance for years to come. Floor paint on the other hand can be a bit unpredictable. Over time, it can be easily worn down and start chipping or cracking. Often times, you will need to repaint in order to keep it looking good.

Of course, every facility is different. You will want to weigh the pros and cons of both options and consider the needs of your workplace. In order to get the best possible results, you want to be sure you are choosing the right type for your facility.

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Improving the safety and efficiency of a workplace is essential to success. There are many avenues and tools available, but not many are as effective as the visual cue of floor markings. Floor signs, shapes, and tapes can convey virtually any type of message and doesn’t occupy valuable space. They are excellent for reminding workers of procedures, highlighting hazardous areas, and creating structure in an open facility.

While floor marking is a relatively simple procedure, it’s best to avoid the temptation to start placing tape on the floor immediately. To ensure you get the best results in your facility, spend some time considering options and developing a site-wide plan. If planned properly, a floor marking strategy will improve workplace safety, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your floor marking:

• Involve everyone: Solicit employee input for floor marking improvements and be sure to include workers from different levels and different departments.
• Map it out: Develop detailed location plans for each floor sign or line of tape before laying down anything.
• Plan a color code: To avoid confusion, use as few colors as possible. Select colors and color patterns that are easy to recognize and distinguish. Simple and bright is best. Avoid colors and patterns too close to existing safety markings. Colors chosen for pathways should not be used for other floor marking applications. Post your floor marking color code in a conspicuous location and train all employees on your new system.
• Leave some space: Do not cover access doors, electrical outlets, and important equipment with floor markings.
• Consider shapes: Continuous lines of tape are not always needed. In many cases, corner markers are sufficient to show the edges of an area.
• Research materials: Floor markings, specifically tapes, come in a number of materials for different applications. Some tapes are more durable, some tapes come in a reflective finish, and some tapes even glow in the dark.

Before you put anything on your floors, remember to plan! Using the above advice can set you up to implement an extremely effective floor marking strategy.

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Did you know one of the top OSHA violations is “Walking/ Work Surface Violations” with an average fine of $1,632 per individual violation? These violations are issued when areas where employees walk or work in areas that are not clearly marked to identify safe pathways or highlight dangers. OSHA Standard 1910.22 dictates that all companies mark these areas to prevent accidents.

Even though fines for violations can be common, few U.S. governmental regulations exist that apply specifically to floor marking. OSHA documents mention floor marking only twice, which can lead to confusion about the subject.

OSHA CFR 1910.22, titled “Walking- Working Surfaces,” reads simply: “Permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked.”

Aisleways are usually areas of high traffic and having them clearly marked can help keep workers safe from injury. Permanent markings should be used in aisles and passage ways and should be a clearly visible color. Whether you are laying down floor tape or painting lines, OSHA recommends using a width between two and six inches for maximum visibility.

OSHA has clarified in follow-up interpretations that while floor markings are usually the least expensive and most convenient way of meeting this requirement, other methods appropriate for marking aisles and passageways may be used. (A dirt floor, for example, would be practically impossible to paint or apply tape to.)

Floor Marking Color Guidelines

When it comes to the colors of floor markings, OSHA is not nearly as strict as they are with other color coded regulations, but they do offer some guidance. When physical hazards are identified for example, it needs to be marked either red or yellow. If you’re using floor tape to indicate a fire related hazard, you will want to choose red.

With no strict standards are floor marking colors, most follow the color combinations below; these are widely accepted and comply with any interpretation of OSHA or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) codes. This scheme isn’t set by any specific law, so it can be modified to fit the needs of specific facilities. It is a useful starting point for most applications and if modified, post a color guide in a conspicuous location.