OSHA Color Reference Guide
- Black/Yellow – Caution
Mark hazards that could cause stumbling, falling, tripping, trapping, ect. - Black/White – Boundary
Stairways, traffic aisles, ect - Red/White – Fire
Fire alarm, extinguisher, fire exit, fire hydrant and pump locations - Green/White – Safety
Locations of first aid, eye wash, and safety equipment
Technical Data
- Application Temperature: 65 degrees F (some products may be applied at 0 degrees F) to 90 degrees F
- Service Temperature: -40 degrees F to 130 degrees F
- Normal Thickness: 3mils – 109mils
Tips For Floor Marking
The regulations require that permanent aisles and passageways must be marked. A common method for marking is by using yellow stripes. OSHA designates yellow as the caution color, to be used for marking physical hazards such as stumbling, falling or tripping. ANSI Z535.2 Safety Color Code also defines “safety yellow” as the identification of caution. It requires the use of solid yellow for maximum contrast with the particular background and it designates yellow as the preferred method for traffic markings.
Aisle Width
The recommended width of aisles is at least 3 feet wider than the largest equipment to be utilized, or a minimum of 4 feet. Storage room aisles containing flammable and combustible liquids should be at least 3 feet wide, and emergency exit access should have a minimum width of 28 inches. These include requirements that aisles be inside OSHA’s general requirement for aisles and passageways is that “sufficient safe clearances” must be provided where mechanical equipment is used. The width will vary depending upon how the aisle is utilized in the workplace, as aisles used for forklift trucks or other mechanical equipment will need to be wider than aisles for pedestrian traffic. A good average size is 4 feet.
What Size Floor Marking To Use
The recommended width of aisle marking tape varies from 2 inches to 6 inches; therefore, any width 2 inches or more is considered acceptable. 4 inches is the most popular as a highly visible cost effective option.
