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Choosing the right floor marking tape is essential for the safety of your workers. An optimal layout will also increase productivity.
Floor marking tape is a must if you have an industrial facility. Work floors are busy places and lack of organization can spell disaster. Floor marking tape provides specific paths for workers to navigate safely. This is an investment in productivity and above all, safety.
Why Should You Mark Your Floor?
The first question you should ask yourself is the reason for marking your floors. To answer this question, familiarize yourself with a popular concept known as A 5S methodology of manufacturing. This is a tried and tested method of increasing productivity. Let’s take a quick look at what it is.
The 5S System
A 5S methodology is a strategic approach to industrial production. The popular automobile manufacturer Toyota first introduced this revolutionary system during the industrial boom after the second world war. It stands for sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain.
Sort
- Essential items will stay on the floor
- Non-essential items will be discarded
Set in Order
- Each item will have a specific spot
- Items are arranged to facilitate quick access
Shine
- Ensure the entire floor is clean
- Cleanliness encompasses everything from floor to equipment
Standardize
- Standards are developed to maintain quality
- Standards are enforced and punishable if broken
Sustain
- All four points mentioned above must be sustained
- Invoke a sense of discipline and efficiency
Now you may be asking what the 5S methodology has anything to do with floor marking tape. All the points mentioned above can be achieved by marking your floor. You will see a noticeable increase in efficiency after implementation.
The biggest problem you will face on your facility floor is a lack of organization. Not every employee will do all the work on the floor. Assembly, packaging, quality control etc. are some common ones. There will be other jobs depending on your company.
No matter what your employees are doing, there is an undeniable need for organization. Properly marking your floor will familiarize the employees with the lay of the land. Everyone will know exactly where and what they need to work. Peak efficiency is obtained through proper organization and discipline. Floor marking tape is an easy and cost-effective way to achieve that.
Safety First
A work floor is a busy place. Everyone is going around and trying to get work done. In this busy environment bumping into one another is common. This is especially dangerous if there is heavy machinery on the floor.
Floor marking tape can effectively subvert such situations. Marked lines will keep the lanes clear of any obstruction and wayward movement. Facility floors without any tape markings are more likely to present hazardous situations.
Add Traction
Production floors tend to be slippery. Spills are commonplace and create dangerous situations. Specialized anti-slip floor marking tape adds much-needed traction to help employees stay on their feet. This is a secondary benefit besides increasing productivity and safety.
Wayfinding
Floor marking tape is the perfect tool to implement a way-finding system. These tapes can be arranged in a way to add directional cues like entrances and exits. They can also be used to designate different areas of the floor and the most efficient way to get there.
Emergency Exits
No matter how many safety precautions are taken, you must always have contingency plans in case of hazardous situations. Drills are conducted as part of safety training. Typically, employees will know where the nearest emergency exit is.
In case of an emergency, the ensuing chaos might make it difficult to locate the nearest exit. Everyone will be scrambling to get out as fast as possible. Marking tapes are a lifesaver in such situations. Employees can follow them and exit the building quickly should the need arise.
Other Floor Marking Tape Features
Floor marking tape comes with various specialized features. A few are discussed below.
Glow in the Dark Tape
Glow in the dark tapes helps to see during nighttime and in poorly-lit areas. These tapes recharge naturally over six hours.
Reflective Tape
Reflective tapes are excellent for grabbing the attention of facility workers. These tapes can be seen under any conditions regardless of day or night. These tapes will last between seven and ten years.
Shape and Sign Tape
Some tapes are designed to look like signs and shapes. Common indicators like arrows, circles, footprints etc. are readily available in the market. You can also have custom designs made according to your specific needs.
How Long Do Floor Marking Tapes Last?
Estimating the lifespan of floor marking tape is an important fact you may want to remember. Typically, traffic movement over the tapes will determine their longevity. Foot traffic and forklift tires are the most common causes of wear and tear of floor tapes.
Employees usually wear heavy-duty boots on the work floor, which have strong ridges on the bottom and produce a large amount of friction. This friction is critical for its anti-slip properties. Tapes over medium and high foot traffic areas will naturally see more degradation.
If forklifts or other mobile machinery are used on the facility floor then the tapes will degrade faster. Fortunately, you can purchase laminated marking tapes which greatly increase their longevity. The lamination is an extra protective layer over the base of the tape. They might cost more but are worth it in the long run.
Spills and scratches are common on the floor. Eventually, you will have to replace some tapes. However, investing in good quality tapes will last you for some time.
To Sum Up
Floor marking tapes are great for increasing productivity. They are vital for maintaining the safety of your employees on the floor as well. Enjoy the process and see your facility develop over time as you use floor marking tapes wisely.