Most companies today refer to the 5S floor marking color guidelines that comply with OSHA 1910.144 standard. This color scheme can be used to visually separate processes, work areas, and pathways. The color scheme purposefully limits the colors to encourage easy learning and ready recognition of specific areas in the workplace. However, it can also be modified to suit the specific operational priorities, processes, and characteristics of individual facilities. Conducting employee training as to what each color represents is important so everyone remains on the same path for creating a safe and organized work environment.
Yellow for marking Aisles and Passageways
The 5S floor marking color scheme recognizes yellow as the color for marking aisles and passageways to alert people to hazards such as vehicles which often travel in a specific area or other types of potential dangers which may or may not be around. Forklift aisles may be marked with straight yellow lines and pedestrian pathways may be marked with dots of yellow floor tape. As long as employees can distinguish the difference between vehicular and pedestrian aisles, forklift operators will be able to perform their jobs efficiently and pedestrians can be assured for their safety.
Yellow for marking Safety Equipment and Exits
Yellow floor tape can also be used to point out safety equipment and exits. The bright color will draw a person’s attention to that area when quick response is required during an emergency situation. Yellow parallel lines designed in front of exists can represent a safe way to exist a building or room. Safety equipment should be stored in one location that is easily accessible so when emergencies do happen, someone will be able to know exactly where to go to protect themselves and others from possible injuries or even death.
Yellow used for Caution
Yellow tape is a signal to proceed with caution. This color of tape is perhaps the most common tape used for safety warnings. Although it does not restrict people from an area, it is a clear indication that there is something unsafe that they should be aware of. Yellow tape can be used to identify an object that someone could trip on, or possibly of something falling from above. It can also be used along with other warnings such as signs and safety cones to be cautious before proceeding. Yellow tape is commonly used to barricade an area that is being repaired or has been freshly painted.
Yellow as a Visual Cue
5S color schemes creates a visual workplace or environment that uses visual cues to guide employee or general public behavior. Yellow is a color that can imply caution, much like with traffic signals, so by using yellow floor tape, employees pay attention to the distinction between safe and unsafe aisles, passageways, exits, storage areas, and other cautionary zones. Using yellow tape is an affordable and easy way for creating safety and organization in the workplace.
Additional Resources
- OSHA Floor Marking– creativesafetysupply.com
- Black and Yellow Safety Tape– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- Floor Tape Applications– floortape101.com
- OSHA Floor Marking Standards– floor-marking-tape.com
- Using Floor Tape for Facility Safety– facilityfloormarking.com
- Aisle Marking Tape Improves Safety– realsafety.org
- Types of Floor Marking Tapes for Warehouses– babelplex.com
- Warehouse Floor Marking Tape– blog.5stoday.com
- Traffic Management in the Warehouse– safetyblognews.com