Occupational safety is one of the main focuses for any type of industrial company. This is especially true in industries which are potentially more hazardous.
The oil and gas industry can present unique challenges in the area of safety, as workers may be exposed to chemicals, flammable substances, and other hazards on a regular basis.
Protecting workers at all costs should be the goal for these organizations.
By properly marking and identifying hazards and providing adequate safety information, workers will have the best safety precautions at their disposal.
Types of Safety Tags
Warning Labels & Tags
Safety tags are prevalent throughout most oil and gas facilities. Warning signs are affixed throughout refineries to provide critical information to workers.
Warning labels and signage is especially important in these facilities which house hazardous (and non-hazardous) materials.
It may seem like a basic safety solution. However, a simple warning placard on an oil rig can make the difference between proper procedures and the potential for an accident.
Inspection Tags
Inspections are one of the main ways oil and gas organizations keep their equipment, tools, and other storage up to code. Periodic inspections ensure that these assets are not damaged, leaking, or prone to failure.
Some examples of items commonly marked with inspection tags include:
- Equipment Nameplates
- Fire Extinguishers
- Valves
- And More
Inspectors rely on custom identification labels and markers to be effectively labeled to the inventory or equipment they are inspecting.
Marking Processes
Photo Anodization
For an all-around marking process, photo anodization is a very versatile option. This marking is embedded between layers of tough aluminum, providing a long-lasting solution.
Photo anodization provides 20+ year outdoor durability. Exposure to the elements is not a concern. This is a great benefit when your organization needs to mark an outside chemical tank or transportation vehicle. In addition, the anodized aluminum material is corrosive resistant.
This process is fully customizable, from high quality barcodes to custom designs. Photo anodized tags can feature symbols to indicate the type of hazard. For example, a fire symbol might indicate a fuel tanker is flammable, while a skull and cross bones might indicate a toxic substance.
In addition to the custom design, the aluminum material can be colored, providing another method for visibly indicating the type of substance (i.e. red placard for a flammable chemical such as oil).
Digital Printing (Decals/Labels)
Outside of metal substrates, polyester and vinyl-based labels are used for safety marking as well. These materials are marked with digitally printed ink, allowing for a wide range of design options.
By directly printing on the material, these decals can be produced with bright, stand-out designs. This is a great benefit as their purpose is to draw attention and be noticed. Vivid colors, barcodes, and logos can all be added to these labels.
While the designs might be more vivid, digitally printed inks are not the most durable. Surface level printing on metal is very susceptible to wear. Laminates can provide some additional protection, but after the design is worn away, the label will be blank.
Wrap-Up
Safety tags of all varieties provide important safety information for a range of applications. From aiding in periodic inspections to accurately labeling hazardous chemicals, there is no limit to their utility.
Keeping workers safe is a never ending challenge, however with safety tags, the goal becomes a little bit easier.