Can Line Marking Reduce Accidents In Your Facility?

Why Warehouses Need Line Markings

In 2024, the Transport, Postal, and Warehousing industry in Australia had the second-highest workplace fatality rate. Sadly, vehicle incidents were among the leading causes of work-related deaths in warehouses, accounting for about 42% of fatalities. 

These statistics highlight a need for better safety measures in your facilities. So, how does line marking truly present an effective solution?

Line marking for warehouses offers clear visual cues that direct worker and vehicle movement, minimize accidents, promote organization, and help ensure slip-resistance compliance.

This article explains what line marking is, what the different lines and colours mean, and why it's essential for your warehouse's safety.

Key Takeaways 

• Line marking offers clear visual cues that help promote organization and reduce accidents.
  
• In warehouses, these markings promote safety, compliance, and productivity. 
  
• Color-coded markings communicate risks and safety precautions instantly.
  
• The choice of material for line marking depends on traffic and specific use needs. 

What is Line Marking? 

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You've seen line markings on roads, but did you know they're just as important in warehouses?

Line marking involves creating visible lines on floors to guide traffic and movement. As such, it is used anywhere there are moving people or vehicles that need direction, including roads, car parks, sports facilities, and warehouses. 

The line marking process varies, depending on the environment and purpose. Hence, the first step is always a site assessment to determine the markings' purpose. 

In warehouses, line markings often define zones for storage, pedestrian movement, and machinery. On motored roads, they may be used to mark designated disabled spaces or parking bays.

After assessment, surface cleaning and priming are performed to ensure adhesion; the design is then marked out with temporary markers before the actual lines are applied. The lines are drawn with paint, tape, or thermoplastic, followed by a compliance check to ensure they meet safety standards. 

Not all warehouses use line markings, but those that do enjoy clear advantages. We'll explore how line marking benefits warehouse operations.

Importance of Line Marking for Warehouses 

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Warehouses are high-risk environments, making safety the most obvious reason to use line markings. Beyond safety, however, line marking also helps keep warehouses organised and employees productive. Here's how:

Organisation 

Line marking establishes boundaries for everything in the warehouse: material storage, pedestrian movement, vehicle parking, and hygiene stations. Sectioning keeps the warehouse tidy and organized, ensuring that both personnel and vehicles — like forklifts — move through the facility efficiently. It also reduces congestion in the warehouse.

Safety 

Line marking also allows warehouses to clearly define high-risk areas and remind employees to exercise caution in those zones. These visual reminders keep employees attentive at all times, reducing workplace hazards and lowering the risk of accidents.

Productivity 

With clear line markings for storage and operations, inventory is easier to find and organise. This increases productivity by reducing the risk of misplacement and eliminating the time spent searching for items.

Regulatory Compliance

Warehouse line marking helps facilities meet their legal obligations under national Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations to provide a safe working environment and manage traffic risks. It aligns with guidance from Safe Work Australia's Traffic Management Guide for Warehousing and relevant Australian Standards, including AS 1657 (fixed platforms and walkways), AS 1318 (industrial safety color codes), and AS 1319 (safety signs). 

Further Reading: The Complete Guide to Slip Resistance Compliance for Commercial Facilities

Color Coding Explained 

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An important part of warehouse line marking is following an established colour-coding system so workers can instantly recognise different hazards and requirements. In Australia, this is guided by national safety standards, most notably WHS regulations and the AS1319 Industrial Safety Colour Code, which define safety-related colours and their meanings.

Yellow

Yellow is used alone or with black lines to mark parts of the warehouse that require caution. These include hazardous areas where fixtures are suspended from the ceiling and radioactive areas. Yellow alone can be used to guide and direct traffic on pedestrian walkways and stairways. 

Red 

Red is generally used to indicate danger. Red lines are used alone or in conjunction with white lines to mark prohibited (no entry) zones and storage areas for:

Faulty equipment or flammable liquids
Emergency stop controls and fire-protection equipment like fire alarm housings, fire hoses, and hydrants

Green 

Green lines are used with white lines to denote safety and emergency information. It's used for first-aid stations, safety equipment locations, emergency exits, and other safe conditions.

Blue 

Blue lines indicate areas of the warehouse where mandatory actions or information are required, for example, personal protective equipment.

Other common color codes that facilities use include: 

Orange for areas that hold items or hazards requiring inspection
Black-and-white striped lines for areas that must be kept clear to aid operations 
Photoluminescent lines to mark safe exit routes during blackouts.

Comparison: Tape vs Paint For Line Marking

Two common materials used for warehouse line marking are tape and paint, and each option has its pros and cons. 

Tape 

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Taping uses adhesive floor-marking tape to create clear visual cues for specific areas within the warehouse. The tape is typically high-quality and designed to withstand foot traffic, vehicle movement, and varying environmental conditions.

Pros 

• Zero drying time
  
• Requires less money and labor
  
• Easy to clean, maintain, and change
  
• Minimal prep needed before application

Cons 

• Require frequent replacement, especially in high-traffic areas

Paint 

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In this method, you apply industrial floor paint to sketches you made of your desired line markings. It starts with surface preparation—such as cleaning, scraping, and priming—to ensure proper adhesion between the paint and the floor. Multiple coats are then applied, with adequate drying time between each layer.

Pros 

• Better durability compared to tapes
  
• Custom colors and patterns
  
• Clear, high-visibility line markings
  
• Compatible with slip-resistant coating

Cons 

• Application and drying may take up to 72 hours

An added advantage of using floor paint for line markings in warehouses is that it pairs well with non-slip coatings to improve slip resistance. You can either mix a non-slip additive into the paint before application or apply a non-slip coating over the painted lines to ensure slip-resistance compliance.

An example of a CSIRO-certified premium line-marking paint is Stellmann's Aqualine PU PRO — a durable, high-visibility base. However, its benefits go beyond defining zones in warehouses.

Our line marking paint doesn't need extra non-slip coating to deliver slip resistance. It is designed to provide a non-slip finish with slip ratings of P3, P4, or P5, allowing warehouses to also reduce the risk of slip-and-fall accidents on high-traffic pathways.

Beyond safety and compliance, Stellmann's Aqualine PU PRO line marking paint offers several practical advantages for warehouse environments, including:

• UV resistance
  
• Strong, no-peel adhesion
  
• Water-based formulation for reduced downtime

FAQs

Q1: What Parts Of My Warehouse Need To Be Anti-slip? 

Answer: 

Slip resistance in warehouses is especially important in areas where the risk of slips is highest, such as ramps, stairs, high-traffic walkways, loading zones, and areas exposed to spills or frequent vehicle movement.

Q2: What is the best line marking paint for warehouses?

Answer:

The best line marking paint for warehouses is one that meets safety requirements and withstands daily operational stress. The key factors to look for include durability, visibility, and slip resistance. Paints that offer certified non-slip ratings and resistance to peeling or fading are better suited to high-traffic, warehouse environments.

Conclusion 

Line marking offers a simple yet effective way to improve safety and efficiency in warehouses. Providing clear visual guidance in the warehouse reduces accidents and improves employee productivity. 

You must use the right materials for line marking. Line marking paint is the preferred solution, as it doesn't wear easily and provides a sharp finish.

For detailed information on Stellmann's line-marking paint, its ideal applications, and unique benefits, check out our website today.