OSHA Floor Marking Requirements You Should Know

Understanding OSHA Floor Marking Guidelines

Figuring out OSHA floor marking guidelines can be puzzling without hours of research. To help you save time and get back to what’s important, we’ve compiled a guide on OSHA floor marking that focuses on the key objectives and ensures compliance.

An Overview Of OSHA Floor Marking Standards

Before we head into what areas to mark, here’s a brief overview of which areas OSHA dictates need floor marking.

Use of mechanical Equipment:

1910.176(a)
Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways, and wherever turns or passages must be made. Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard. Permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked.

General Environmental Controls

1910.144(a)(1)
Red. Red shall be the basic color for the identification of:
1910.144(a)(1)(i)
Fire protection equipment and apparatus.
1910.144(a)(1)(ii)
Red lights shall be provided at barricades and at temporary obstructions.

1910.144(a)(3)
Yellow. Yellow shall be the basic color for designating caution and for marking physical hazards such as: Striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping, and "caught in between."

Means of Egress

1910.35 OSHA will deem an employer demonstrating compliance with the exit route provisions of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, or the exit route provisions of the International Fire Code (IFC), 2009 edition, to be in compliance with 1910.34, 1910.36, and 1910.37.

To sum up, the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code ensures that employers will have to specify exit routes with prominent floor markings that ensure safe navigation during an emergency.
Areas To Mark Per OSHA Floor Marking Standards
From warehouse aisles to loading docks and sharp turns into passageways, OSHA requires managers to mark areas where potential hazards can arise. These include:

• Pedestrian traffic lanes
• Vehicle traffic lanes
• Areas where hazardous materials belong
• Recharging stations for forklifts
• Loading dock warning tracks
• Clearance indications for safer turns
• Emergency exit guides

A good practice would be to ensure all permanent pathways and aisles are marked to promote safe navigation. While OSHA does not explicitly mandate a specific color code for floor marking, you can follow established safety color guidelines to ensure quick identification and universal understanding.

Floor Marking Color Standards Guide

Using bright, vivid colors in your facility can help employees find the right path and practice safety measures when needed. For instance, when employees come across red floor markings, they’ll take a moment to stop and ensure they’re equipped with the proper PPE before proceeding.

Follow this color code when applying floor markings across your facility floor:

Red: Areas with fire protective equipment, high-voltage electrical equipment, defects, and red tags.

Yellow: Employees' Permanent aisles and pathways for everyday operations must be marked.

Yellow and Black: Stairs or areas where workers are prone to experiencing hazards.

Green: Exit routes or areas where first-aid equipment is kept should be highlighted with green floor markings.

Orange: Areas where products under inspection are held.

White: Pathways or otherwise non-coded areas, such as workstations, carts, racks, or separate aisles.

Black and White: Areas that should be kept clear for operational purposes. (Not pertaining to compliance or safety measures.)

Photoluminescent: Stairs or egress routes should be marked with photoluminescent floor tape to ensure safe navigation during a power failure.

These color codes follow OSHA and ANSI/ASME standards to ensure universal understanding for both employees and visitors.

Basics To Keep In Mind When Marking Your Floors

There are certain factors one should be mindful of when planning their floor marking strategy, such as:

Proper placement: Strategically marking floors can help enhance their effectiveness, ensuring they are visible from a distance. Low-light areas or exit stairs in a power outage should be marked with photoluminescent floor tape.

Floor Tape Material: Not every floor marker is ideal for your work floor. This makes it necessary to purchase durable, industrial-grade floor tapes that can survive the natural conditions of your workplace. For instance, warehouse factories with high forklift traffic require industrial-grade floor markers to endure constant wear and tear.

Proper Training: Without adequate training, employees will fail to understand the meaning behind the colors and utilize their presence. Use as few colors as possible to make it easier for employees to recognize and stick color-coded posters to help remind them.

Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential to ensure you don’t replace your floor markings every month or so. Inspect them periodically for signs of fading or wear and tear, and replace any compromised sections. Avoid operating your forklifts directly on the floor tape to help them last longer.

Choose the Right Floor Tape: With so many types of floor tape available, it can be challenging to choose the right one. Our online floor tape survey can help you make the right choice, where all you have to do is answer three basic questions.

Invest In Floor Tape That Lasts With SafetyTac

Without the right tape, your floor marking strategy will ultimately fail. At SafetyTac, we work to prevent that from happening by providing high-industrial grade floor tape. Engineered to hold up against multiple working conditions, our floor marking tapes are designed with your facility in mind.