Workplace safety is one of the main issues for any type of energy company. This is especially true in this space as job sites can be potentially hazardous.
The energy industry can present unique challenges in the area of safety, as workers may be exposed to electricity, 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, as well as providing adequate safety information, workers will have the best safety precautions at their fingertips.
Types of Safety Tags
Warning Labels & Tags
Warning tags are prevalent throughout energy 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 as well as non-hazardous materials.
It may seem like a basic safety solution. However, a simple warning placard on a piece of machinery can make the difference between proper procedures and the potential for an accident.
Inspection Tags
Inspections are one of the main ways energy 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:
- Machinery
- Fire Extinguishers
- Equipment
- Valves
- And More
Inspectors rely on custom identification labels and markers to be labeled to the equipment or inventory 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. 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.
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).
Digital Printing
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 is susceptible to wear.
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.