Labeling Articles

Introduction to Shipping Container Labeling

Introduction to Shipping Container Labeling

Shipping container labels convey crucial information throughout the shipping process, contributing significantly to the safety and efficiency of the industry.

Labeling Practices for Power Generation Facilities

Labeling Practices for Power Generation Facilities

The power generation sector faces distinctive challenges, with hazards ranging from electrocution to arc flashes. Despite these risks, it remains one of the safer sectors due to stringent safety measures and regulations. Power facilities also incorporate redundancies to prevent outages, emphasizing the need for clear communication through labels, signs, and visual tools.

A Brief Overview of Key Agricultural Labeling Requirements

A Brief Overview of Key Agricultural Labeling Requirements

Whether you operate a commercial farm or you are an employee at a small agricultural facility, it is important that you know all the rules and regulations that you need to follow, including proper labeling.

A Simple Guide to Transportation Industry Labeling Strategies

A Simple Guide to Transportation Industry Labeling Strategies

Make sure you understand the labeling requirements before shipping any hazardous materials with this simple guide.

Pharmaceutical Labeling

Pharmaceutical Labeling

Learn everything you need to know about pharmaceutical labeling, including the standards it follows, regulatory requirements, and how to create the labels that you need for your company.

NFPA 855: The Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems

NFPA 855: The Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems

NFPA 855 is an essential standard to follow to maintain worker safety while around stationary energy storage systems.

Floor Marking for Electrical Panel Compliance

Floor Marking for Electrical Panel Compliance

Meet OSHA requirements for electrical panel clearance with floor markings! Creative Safety Supply offers a wide selection of floor signs and floor tapes for breaker panels.

Heat Shrink Tubing

Heat Shrink Tubing

Heat shrink tubing and wire markers are excellent visual organization tools. They are cost effective and improve productivity and efficiency within the workplace.

Keeping Operators Safe with Machine Guarding

Keeping Operators Safe with Machine Guarding

Machine guards are essential for facilities where employees work in close proximity to hazardous moving parts. Properly safeguarding machines prevents severe injury and death.

Creating an Effective Warehouse Storage Numbering System with Barcodes

Creating an Effective Warehouse Storage Numbering System with Barcodes

To streamline operations and prevent waste, warehouses must be organized. An effective warehouse storage numbering system helps workers locate and pick items as quickly as possible.

Selecting a Marker Size for Wire Marking

Selecting a Marker Size for Wire Marking

An effective wire marking system boosts efficiency and safety in the workplace. This guide helps you determine which marker size is best for the task at hand.

FOD: How to Control and Prevent Foreign Object Debris

FOD: How to Control and Prevent Foreign Object Debris

FOD is an acronym for Foreign Object Debris and the consequences caused by this debris, Foreign Object Damage. Controlling FOD is critical in both the aviation and manufacturing industries.

MIL-STD-129: Military Marking for Shipment and Storage

MIL-STD-129: Military Marking for Shipment and Storage

MIL-STD-129 is the U.S. Department of Defense’s labeling standard for the shipment and storage of military equipment. Contractors must use military shipping labels and adhere to other DOD requirements.

Rack Labeling

Rack Labeling

A rack labeling system can vastly improve the efficiency of any warehouse. Barcodes and other rack labels enhance inventory management and allow workers to quickly find items.

Military Equipment [Condition Tags & Labeling]

Military Equipment [Condition Tags & Labeling]

Military equipment includes weapons, aircraft, vehicles, and personal gear that was intended for use by the Armed Forces. A wide variety of materials falls under this classification, and proper labeling of their condition is essential.

Title 49: Shipping Hazardous Materials

Title 49: Shipping Hazardous Materials

CFR 49 notes the procedure for transporting hazardous materials safely in compliance with the HMR. Learn more about this important regulation.

Food Security

Food Security

With the 2011 passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act, considerable attention has been focused on the purity of our foods from the perspective of accidental contamination.

Arc Flash Label Requirements [2018 Updates]

Arc Flash Label Requirements [2018 Updates]

Arc flash hazard labels must be placed on any piece of electrical equipment where workers might need to perform work while the equipment is still energized.

NFPA 99: Understanding the Health Care Facilities Code

NFPA 99: Understanding the Health Care Facilities Code

NFPA 99 standards are built specifically to ensure safety from fire danger in healthcare facilities. Learn how to stay in compliance and protect your facility from fire hazards with this overview of the NFPA 99.

A Quick Guide to Underground Utility Labeling

A Quick Guide to Underground Utility Labeling

Underground utility labeling is an essential ingredient to every project that involves construction. This article outlines the step-by-step process of getting your site inspected for utilities, and how to label underground lines safely and accurately.

Your Guide to Pipe Labeling Standards

Your Guide to Pipe Labeling Standards

If you are looking to implement or update a pipe marking strategy for your facility it is important to gathering as much information as possible. Read More...

Catchy Safety Slogans for the Workplace

Catchy Safety Slogans for the Workplace

Catchy safety slogan signs are an interesting method that many companies use to keep employees and customers safe.

Barcode Labeling

Barcode Labeling

Barcode labeling can help improve efficiency and overall accuracy when working with individual items. Learn how barcode labeling can help improve your business today.

Electrical Wire Colors

Electrical Wire Colors

Electrical wire colors are essential to the safety of anyone working with electricity. Click here and learn more about electrical color standards.

OSHA Sign Compliance: ANSI 1967 vs. ANSI 2011 [With 2017 Updates]

OSHA Sign Compliance: ANSI 1967 vs. ANSI 2011 [With 2017 Updates]

OSHA regulations require businesses to follow one of two safety sign standards to remain in compliance: ANSI 1967 and ANSI 2011. Take a look at these two styles and pick the one that best meets your needs.

What is HAZCOM? (Hazard Communication Definition + OSHA Standards)

What is HAZCOM? (Hazard Communication Definition + OSHA Standards)

Hazcom is designed to help employees to quickly identify hazardous chemicals. Learn more beneficial information about Hazcom.

NFPA 70E [Workplace Electrical Safety]

NFPA 70E [Workplace Electrical Safety]

NFPA 70E was created to help prevent injuries to workers in energized environments. If you’re working with live energy, you need to know this safety standard to stay OSHA compliant.

A Guide to Pipe Marking Standards

A Guide to Pipe Marking Standards

For most industries, abiding by ASME/ANSI pipe marking standards is sufficient for staying safe and OSHA compliant. Some workplaces, though, are required to comply to more unique pipe marking standards due to the nature of the substance the pipes contain.

What is a thermal printer? (direct transfer)

What is a thermal printer? (direct transfer)

Thermal printers are essential to printing in an industrial setting. Learn about the two types of thermal printing to determine which one suits your facility’s needs.

ANSI TIA 606-B Cable Labeling Standards

ANSI TIA 606-B Cable Labeling Standards

ANSI TIA 606-B Cable Labeling Standards are a unified labeling method for the wires used in computer systems. These standards help businesses record data and keep their IT environments organized. Get to know these standards; they’ll help your business run more efficiently.

Waste Water Treatment Labeling

Waste Water Treatment Labeling

Waste water treatment labeling ensures that all water and flow is accurately labeled. keeping employees safe from contaminated water.

Lean Healthcare (Principles for Improvement)

Lean Healthcare (Principles for Improvement)

Implementing lean healthcare in the medical field will lead to improvement in overall performance and patient satisfaction.

Arc Flash Labeling (Updated)

Arc Flash Labeling (Updated)

Arc Flashes are one of the most dangerous accidents that can happen in a facility. Learn how to keep your facility safe and incident-free through proper labeling.

Solar System Labeling

Solar System Labeling

In 2017, The National Electrical Code (NEC) made some significant changes to solar system labeling standards. Getting familiar with these updates will help your facility stay safe and efficient.

Anhydrous Ammonia – Safety & Labeling

Anhydrous Ammonia – Safety & Labeling

Concentrated (or anhydrous) ammonia presents significant hazards to people and the environment. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

Asset Tags: Tracking Inventory & Equipment

Asset Tags: Tracking Inventory & Equipment

A simple yet powerful organization tool, asset tags reduce theft, enhance inventory management efforts, and make it easier for employees to find exactly what they need exactly when they need it.

Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS Labels)

Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS Labels)

Having a complete understanding of the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) is essential to keeping your employees safe when working with chemicals.

Pipeline Labeling

Pipeline Labeling

Pipeline labeling is essential when using pipelines in the facility. Without the proper labeling, you are putting your employees at risk.

Metal-Detectable Labels for FDA Food Labeling Compliance

Metal-Detectable Labels for FDA Food Labeling Compliance

Accidental contamination is a major worry in the food industry, and while it’s impossible to completely rule out all contamination, metal detectable labels help eliminate a significant danger.

Creating a Visual Workplace

Creating a Visual Workplace

Creating a visual workplace can help improve efficiency and reduce workplace injuries. Check out these tips for creating a visual workplace.

NFPA 704

NFPA 704

NFPA 704 is a set of standards used to identify hazardous materials so that emergency response professionals will know the dangers.

Visual Factories

Visual Factories

Visual factories use signs, posters, charts, labels and floor marking to provide information that improves efficiency, safety and productivity in the workplace. This is a fairly simple concept that yields excellent results.

Ammonia Refrigeration

Ammonia Refrigeration

When using ammonia refrigeration, or ammonia for anything in the workplace, there are a variety of OSHA regulations that need to be followed.

OSHA Safety Sign Requirements [1910.145]

OSHA Safety Sign Requirements [1910.145]

Understanding OSHA standards for warning signs and tags is an essential part creating a safe work environment.

ANSI Color Codes for Pipe Marking

ANSI Color Codes for Pipe Marking

When following the ANSI A13.1 standards, the most important thing is to understand the six most common color schemes.

Understanding the NFPA 704 Diamond Labeling System

Understanding the NFPA 704 Diamond Labeling System

Learn how to properly label hazardous materials following NFPA 704 labeling standards.

Labeling Electrical Conduits

Labeling Electrical Conduits

Learn how to label electrical conduits so employees can quickly identify them.

GHS Label Information

GHS Label Information

A closer look at OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard—1900.1200—and how it applies to your facility.

Safety Colors (OSHA Guidelines and Color Codes)

Safety Colors (OSHA Guidelines and Color Codes)

Using colors strategically makes communication in your facility more effective. Get the details about common color codes.

ANSI Z535 [Updated Guide to Safety Signs & Labels]

ANSI Z535 [Updated Guide to Safety Signs & Labels]

An in-depth look at ANSI’s standard for safety signs and labels in the workplace.

Valve Tags: Guide for Pipe Identification

Valve Tags: Guide for Pipe Identification

Tips and recommendations for labeling the valves on your pipe system.

The Definitive Guide to Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Labeling

The Definitive Guide to Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Labeling

Implementing GHS has been an evolving process for many companies. Here's what you need to know.

Pipe Color Codes - ANSI/ASME A13.1

Pipe Color Codes - ANSI/ASME A13.1

The ANSI/ASME A13.1 pipe marking color code explained.

Arc Flash [Facts, Safety Requirements & PPE]

Arc Flash [Facts, Safety Requirements & PPE]

Arc flash can cause serious damage to people and property. Learn how arc flash works and how you can prevent it.

Cable Management

Cable Management

Properly marking wires can improve organization, facilitate faster maintenance, increase safety, and more.

GHS Label Creation

GHS Label Creation

Find out how to make Globally Harmonized System (GHS) labels in 3 steps.

The 5S System [Lean Manufacturing Methodology]

The 5S System [Lean Manufacturing Methodology]

One of the most comprehensive pages you will find on 5S.


Labeling Questions and Answers

What are the Different Types of Industrial Labels?

The needs and requirements of labels differ across different industries. Serving as important tools that help ensure organization, provide instruction, and enhance safety, ensuring labels are utilized and align with industry regulation is a necessity. In this article, we discuss some different forms of industrial labeling and examples of how they are used. Inventory labeling To maintain… 

How do thermal printers work?

Thermal printers are mostly used in receipt printers and industrial situations. The concept behind this type of printer is relatively simple, but very efficient for the areas where they are used. There are two types of thermal printers, and they work differently. Understanding how they work can help you to pick the right one for… 

What is a direct thermal printer?

Thermal printers are printers that use heat to copy an image onto material. Media (such as paper or synthetics) that has been chemically treated so it’s heat-sensitive passes under the thermal printhead and blackens in order to create an image. These printers are a much more sustainable and user-friendly alternative to traditional laser printing, and… 

How are labels made?

 In industrial environments, thermal transfer printers are one of the most commonly used methods of making labels. These printers are able to create high quality labels that withstand light, heat, water, and abrasion, and which can include text, images, and barcodes. Thermal transfer printing is typically the preferred printing method due to its ability to… 

Why is labeling important?

Labeling is essential in any facility no matter the industry, for a wide variety of reasons. From warning of potential hazards to reminding workers to keep their areas clean, labels and other types of visual communication enhance the way your business operates and ensures that people have the information they need to work efficiently and… 


A facility marking system without labels is incomplete. When we talk about labeling, we look at a wide scope of applications: safety labels that alert employees of hazards, pipe labels that communicate pipe contents to maintenance workers, organization labels used to bolster 5S projects, barcode labels that help to control inventory levels – the list goes on!

Labels come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and are used to communicate virtually any message. So, why is labeling important?

  • Safety: Because printing custom labels in-house typically costs less than a dollar per label, labeling is one of the most cost-effective safety measures a facility can take. Examples include OSHA-header labels, PPE labels, electrical safety labels, equipment labels, etc.
  • Efficiency: Applications like pipe marking and tool identification use labels to cut down on wasted time tracing pipes to their source or locating a specific tool, and asset tags use more advanced technology to track a company’s assets.
  • Compliance: Certain labels (GHS labels, arc flash labels, electrical panel labels, etc.) are required by OSHA; labeling will reduce company liability and keep the organization clear from any hefty penalties.  

Labels are a key element to rounding out any facility marking system. At Creative Safety Supply, we aim to save you money and time, while improving the safety and efficiency of your business, and LabelTacÒ is the first step.

Purchasing an industrial label printer is one of the best investments a facility can make. With it, managers and employees can create labels and signs for any application (arc flash, Lean, first aid, etc.) that is 100% customized to the organization’s needs. In just a few minutes, a label can be designed and printed at just a fraction of the cost compared to ordering from a catalog or online.

Ready to kick off your next labeling project? We’re here to help. 

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Labeling Infographics

The NFPA 704 Diamond Explained

The NFPA 704 Diamond Explained

What is the purpose of the NFPA Diamond? The NFPA 704 diamond is something we all see, but do you know… 

Stop Buying Labels from a Catalog

Stop Buying Labels from a Catalog

Six reasons you should stop buying labels from a catalog and start printing your own labels with an industrial label… 

The Importance of Industrial Label Printers

The Importance of Industrial Label Printers

The Importance of Industrial Label Printers in the Workplace Safety 2.8 million workplace injuries occur every year in the US alone.This equates… 

Pipe Marking 101: Why is Pipe Marking Important?

Pipe Marking 101: Why is Pipe Marking Important?

Pipe Marking 101 - Why is pipe marking important? Safety - Eliminate accidents by minimizing identification errors. Efficiency - No wasted time… 

GHS Timeline: What's Next?

GHS Timeline: What's Next?

GHS: What's Next? The timeline of GHS Compliance The GHS Mission: To internationally standardize classification and labeling of chemicals with pictograms, signal… 

10 Astonishing Facts about Arc Flash

10 Astonishing Facts about Arc Flash

10 Astonishing Facts about Arc Flash An Arc Flash is an energy discharge that forms when a fault occurs in an… 

5 Steps for Pipe Label Compliance

5 Steps for Pipe Label Compliance

It's Pipe Marking Season! Are you in Compliance? Now that the snow is melting and spring is springing, this is a… 

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Labeling Podcasts

Safety programs work best by consulting workers. EHS expert Lori Siegelman of W&M Environmental tells how to involve employees to build safety programs. Lori says a worker doing a task is the best person to ask about safety for that task.… 

HazCom labels and SDSs are confusing - until now. Two OSHA industrial hygienists explain what is happening right now with the Hazard Communication Standard. Hear about HCS 2012 changes in chemical labeling and Safety Data Sheets. OSHA’s Lana Nieves and Sven… 

Counterfeit electrical components can instantly burst into flames. Hear how to identify fake wiring, breakers and switches from Brett Brenner of ESFI. Electricians and contractors may be surprised to hear that parts of the electrical infrastructure they install could be counterfeit.… 

HazCom labeling changes are here. OSHA’s new standards finally match GHS labeling. Expert Chuck Paulausky, CHMM, explains hazard communication labeling. Chuck says the new labels are a big safety improvement from previous systems. He explains the new rules, and their similarities… 

Electrical safety at work kicks up a notch with strong advice from OSHA trainer Jon Koppari. Hear Jon’s tips for safety managers, owners and workers. In 13 short minutes, Jon covers lockout/tagout; arc flash PPE, arc flash labeling, NFPA 70E regulations… 

Ladder safety increases with tips from expert Dave Francis. 3 points of contact/control, fiberglass vs. wood, correct footwear and more are discussed. Dave Francis works for Little Giant Ladder Systems as their National Safety Director. Dan Clark asks Dave 10 ladder… 

Starting A Visual Workplace should not mean you’ll get a pink slip because of workplace efficiency. Dr. Gwendolyn Galsworth explains. In this 2nd podcast with Dr. Galsworth, she points out that Visuality will create new efficiencies in the workplace. However, workers… 

Starting A Visual Workplace—improving efficiency with Visuality. Dr. Gwendolyn Galsworth explains better work flow through visual devices. Dr. Galsworth defines the Visual Workplace as “A work environment that is self ordering, self explaining, self regulating and self improving where what is… 

Safety signs help companies be OSHA compliant based on ANSI Z535 safety sign and tag standards. Hear about four categories of workplace safety signs. OSHA adopted sign standards from American National Standards Institute, ANSI. OSHA also incorporates sign requirements from the… 

Portable containers for hazardous chemicals in the workplace can have NO labeling in only two situations, according to OSHA's HazCom 2012 standard. In less than three minutes, Dan Clark explains how a worker may transfer a hazardous chemical from an HCS… 

Permit-required confined spaces aren’t just sewer pipes. Semi-trailers can be hazardous too. Hear about hazards in three trailer types, empty and loaded. In this 3½ minute podcast, Dan Clark describes OSHA’s standard on PRCS (permit-required confined spaces) for big-rigs. Dan also defines… 

Hazcom label rules are confusing. Get chemical labeling answers direct from OSHA on their Hazard Communication Standard, HCS, implemented June 1st. Hear important information about pictograms, labeling bulk shipping containers, refillable containers, secondary containers and more. In this podcast, we bring you… 

Flammable liquids safety can change quickly when workplace temperatures rise. Listen for four ways to avoid flashpoint fires and explosions. Find out the difference between flammable and inflammable. Hear about volatile liquid chemicals, and how their vapors can ignite at a certain… 

The deadline for OSHA’s new HazCom labeling standards, based on GHS, is June 1st, 2015. Are you compliant? OSHA has new requirements for labeling chemicals. In this podcast, HazCom industry expert Chuck Paulausky details these new standards, based on the Globally… 

The NFPA 70E changes for 2015 are substantial. Business owners and safety managers—not just electricians—need to be aware. Hear from the NFPA’s Bill Burke in this podcast. Bill explains the philosophical shift since the 2012 Standard For Electrical Safety In The… 

Loading dock safety is difficult to manage because of constantly moving vehicles, people and materials. Listen to this podcast for tips on improving safety at your loading dock. Workers should beware of trucks backing up trailers, forklifts and other powered transport… 

Available fault current is the maximum current in a short circuit. Electrical service panels must be labeled with the current, and the date it was calculated. If it changes, the label needs to be replaced with the new calculation and… 

Powered industrial trucks, also known as forklifts, need clear labeling to keep operators and pedestrians safe. This podcasts details the three main types of labels, CAUTION, WARNING and DANGER. We also discuss the factory-supplied nameplate, and what’s on it. Good labeling increases… 

NFPA labels help workers identify hazardous materials. In this podcast, employees can learn how to read the NFPA label, the “Fire Diamond,” to stay safe. The diamond shaped NFPA label has four color quadrants, each designated with a hazard range or… 

Pipe marking can stop injuries. Labels on pipes give visual safety cues to workers on the job. Color codes from ANSI will help employees know what is inside a pipe, and if it is dangerous. The color of the background and… 

Chemical safety in the workplace requires solid cooperation between management and employees. Workers must wear the proper PPE, which will vary based on the chemicals being handled. To maintain industrial hygiene, employees must follow procedures for handling chemicals, based on the company’s… 

Hazard labels give critical information. Labels are the glue that hold the whole safety system together. From manufacturing to office settings, proper labeling of hazards is important for employee safety, and fit well with 5S, Six Sigma and Lean systems. Hazard labels… 

Industrial labels are cheaper to make in-house. And quicker. For a manufacturing, in a warehouse, or almost any work site, consider buying a quality industrial label printer. Think about about all the signs a workplace might need: safety signs, 5S and… 

This is a surprise! OSHA does NOT have requirements for safety color coding in the workplace. But ANSI does. The American National Standards Institute suggests labeling areas with seven colors for safety or organizational categories. Use the same color scheme throughout… 

This is the story of tragedy that could have been avoided with better safety housekeeping. Here, we detail a fatal accident at a sugar refinery in Wyoming, and review of the OSHA citations. A Gemba walk by managers, or a safety… 

Dan has compiled the 10 most common signage and labeling questions asked about keeping workers safe and avoiding fines. These questions are from a wide range of industries. The answers are a good starting resource for any professional concerned about… 

Will universal safety standards cause more problems than they solve? Implementing rules across cultures and languages will have benefits, but also potential issues. GHS, the Globally Harmonized System of labeling hazardous chemicals is one example of standardized visual warnings being adopted… 

Safety labels from an industrial label maker can help you pass an OSHA inspection, and keep employees safe. An inspection from OSHA could come at any time. Inspections often focus on signs and labeling. Follow along with this short radio-cast from Dan… 

Choosing the right safety label maker for your facility's safety program is an important job. Many safety managers are given the hard task of updating their facility but are given a very limited, if any, budget to do it with. Because… 

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