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A floor marking is a marking method whereby slip-resistant paint, tape, or other coating media is applied to, adhered to, or integral with the floor in a solid color, angled bars of alternating color, a checkerboard of alternating color, a geometric combination of colors, or a photoluminescent application. Color selection of these markings often contrasts with the floor color and may depend on:
Floor markings are often located:
Floor markings are often used to indicate an area designated as a/an:
While floor markings are intended to be permanent, the down side with many floor markings is that they may deteriorate because employees scuff them with their feet and/or equipment rolls or the forks of a powered industrial truck scrape across them. Floor marking media should be selected for its durability and maintained as needed.
Floor markings may be infeasible or impractical in certain work settings, such as on dirt floors and floors having continuous concentrations of sand or dust, like foundries. Other marking methods, such as marking pillars, flags, traffic cones, barrels, and other devices, may be an appropriate alternative to floor markings if employees are trained to recognize them.
For general industry, permanent aisles and passageways must be appropriately marked according to 1910.176(a) and service, repair, and assembly pits less than 10 feet in depth may use floor markings instead of fall protection according to 1910.28(b)(8). However, that does not require marking by colored floor markings only. Painted yellow lines, for example, are usually recognized as the most convenient and inexpensive way to mark aisles and passageways since the lines normally last several years without maintenance or repainting. Yet, various marking methods or devices, other than colored floor markings may be appropriate for indicating permanent aisles and passageways, as mentioned earlier.
While popular, floor markings are not required by federal OSHA to mark the floor in front of fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, or live electrical parts. Moreover, they are not required by federal OSHA to mark the edges of stairs, platforms, or loading docks. However, using floor markings for these situations may help to ensure safety.
Note: It is important to check your state and local fire and building codes to see if any floor marking requirements are specified. For example, many states adopt NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. The 2009 and later editions call for the marking of the top and bottom stair (on their tread nosing) with safety yellow, where the riser is inconsistent with the other risers in the flight by over 3/8 inch.
Employers must:
Note the following: