OSHA Floor Marking Requirements: Safety Regulations & Compliance

The Occupational Safety &Health Administration (OSHA), under direction of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), exists to protect workers from injury. Through its list of employer regulations, OSHA's goal is to create hazard-free work environments in all workplaces. One of these safety regulations requires color-coded floor markings for various industries.

Black/Yellow

• Yellow is the official color of caution.

  Black and yellow is the OSHA standard for caution. This combination indicates a hazard that could cause stumbling, falling, tripping, or some other harmful reaction. The combination usually denotes a temporary condition. Deemed "Safety Yellow," used alone it is the official color for caution. Yellow tape marks permanent aisles and passageways. OSHA requires all aisles be a minimum of four feet wide.

Black/White

• The use of black and white together indicates the presence of a boundary, such as a stairway or traffic aisle. Safety markings for potentially obstructive areas use striped tape on a bare floor where the boundary ends and the area becomes safe.

Red/White

• Red and white are the OSHA colors for fire safety. Areas that contain a fire extinguisher, alarm, exit, or hydrant must have clear safety markings on the floor with these colors. Floor markings correspond with marked walls showing the location of safety equipment.

Green/White

• Green is the OSHA safety color. Marking the floor with green and white tape tells employees where to get the first aid kit and safety equipment such as protective gear.