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:
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.144;
- ANSI Z535.1-1998, Safety Color Code, which offers safety color definitions that give examples of the hazard or message identified by each color;
- ANSI Z535.1-2011, Safety Color Code, which does not offer color definitions but does specify the latest safety colors incorporated by reference by OSHA;
- ANSI Z535.1-2017, Safety Color Code, which does not offer color definitions but does specify the latest safety colors recommended by ANSI (not OSHA); and
- Other applicable international, U.S., state, or local codes.
Floor markings are often located:
- Around repair, service, and assembly pits less than 10 feet in depth,
- At the perimeter or edge of the defined area,
- Solidly throughout the entire defined area, or
- In angled bars of color across a defined area.
Floor markings are often used to indicate an area designated as a/an:
- Egress route;
- Safety zone, such as a pedestrian-only aisle;
- Hazard, such as a change in elevation like a stair or a loading dock edge;
- Restricted area meant only for authorized employees;
- Clearance area, such as in front of fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, or live electrical parts;
- Location for a particular type of storage, piece of equipment, or work activity, such as an aisle designated for powered industrial truck traffic only; or
- Location where employees or customers are to stand.
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.
Scope
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.
Regulatory citations
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.
Key definitions
- Permanent aisles and passageways: A designated pathway inside a building or work environment.
Summary of requirements
Employers must:
- Appropriately mark permanent aisles and passageways, in accordance with 1910.176(a), as well as any applicable state or local fire and building codes.
- Appropriately identify areas around repair, service, and assembly pits less than 10 feet, accordance with 1910.28(b)(8) by applying floor markings at least 6 feet from the edge of the pit in colors that contrast with the surrounding areas or place warning lines at least 6 feet from the edge of the pit.
- Check your state and local fire and building codes and follow applicable floor marking requirements specified in those codes, if any.
Note the following:
- Floor markings are not required by federal OSHA to mark:
- The floor in front of fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, or live electrical parts;
- The edges of stairs, platforms, or loading docks; or
- Exits or ways of exit access.
- Floor markings would not suffice meet the exit sign requirements. Floor markings, however, may be used in addition to required exit signs, but floor markings could not be the sole exit marking.
- The use of floor markings is one way to meet a safe means of access and egress provision. According to 1910.22(c),
“(c) Access and egress. The employer must provide, and ensure each employee uses, a safe means of access and egress to and from walking-working surfaces.” OSHA explains in the November 18, 2016, final rule that one way employers can meet this requirement is by “appropriately marking” passageways and permanent aisles as a means of identifying safe access and egress.
