Floor_Marking_Guide_-_Creative_Safety_Supply April 2014 | Page 13

OSHA Clarifications
One of the top OSHA violations is “Walking/Work Surface Violations” with an average
fine of $1,632 per individual violation. These violations are issued when areas where
employees’ walk/work areas are not clearly marked to identify safe pathways or highlight dangerous areas. OSHA Standard 1910.22 dictates that all companies must mark
these areas to prevent accidents or injuries.
Even though fines for violations can be common- few U.S. governmental regulations
exist that apply to floor marking. OSHA documents mention floor marking only twice,
which can add to confusion about the subject.

OSHA CFR 1910.22, titled
“Walking-Working Surfaces”
reads simply as follows:

“Permanent aisles and
passageways shall be
appropriately marked”

OSHA has clarified in follow-up interpretations
that while floor markings are usually the least
expensive and most convenient way of meeting
this requirement, other methods appropriate
for marking of aisles and passageways may be
employed. (A dirt floor, for example, would be
practically impossible to paint or apply tape to).

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