Warehouses are bustling, hectic places filled with people, forklifts, conveyor belts, and pallet jacks all over the space. This atmosphere of constant motion is a haven for potential accidents.
To offset this potential, warehouses should incorporate a system of markers and signs. Markers and signs utilize symbols and colors to communicate to workers how best to navigate certain areas.
What common markers and safety signs should be visible in a warehouse?
Safety Signs are useful for directions, safety awareness, and information. They will be posted on the end of aisles, atop doorways, and on walls. The color of each sign conveys specific messages which include:
- Red – Fire safety equipment, fire hazards, no entry areas and stop.
- Yellow – Tripping/falling hazards, and potential danger. Use caution while in the area.
- Orange – Warning, energized equipment, potential for injury.
- Green – First aid, safe locations (weather), and safety instructions.
- Blue: – Information regarding a particular item or area.
Floor Markings are tapes or paints used to create visual cues for workers. Markers outline workstations, divide spaces, direct traffic, and highlight hazards. Marker colors and meanings include:
- Red – Defective equipment or product and red tag areas.
- Yellow – Aisles and traffic lanes.
- Orange – Product inspection area, materials, and energized equipment.
- Blue/green – Used for marking materials, also indicates work in progress and finished goods.
Where are warehouse markers and signs required?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) typically regulates most workplaces and requires safety signs at locations where a hazard threatens the safety of a worker. Those signs will indicate “danger,” “warning,” and “caution”. Aisles, workstations, loading dock doors, pathways for mobile equipment, bathrooms, entrances, and exits will all require signs.
What are the benefits of warehouse floor markings and signage?
Why floor markings and safety signs aren’t enough?
Floor markings, signs, training, and experience are excellent deterrents to accident and injury, but they are not 100% perfect. That is why other safeguards such as alarms, safety harnesses, and emergency stop buttons are implemented to prevent injury.
Another innovative system being used is the HIT-NOT® system, a proximity alert system that operates by incorporating magnetic technology that produces magnetic fields that can pass through walls and structures. This system operates around blind corners, racks, containers, and other areas of common workplace accidents. It is mounted on mobile equipment such as forklifts and emits audible and visible alerts when detecting other forklifts or a magnetic field sensing personal alarm device worn by pedestrians.
A safe and efficient warehouse will have a place for everything. It will also make sure everything is in its place. A sign and marker system, combined with proper training, protocol, and safety backups, can help tame any chaotic warehouse environment.
If you have questions about warehouse proximity warning & alarm systems like HIT-NOT®, and how they can be used to protect your people and property, please reach out to our team. We will be happy to walk you through your options.