The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for the safe working conditions for employees across the United States. There are a set of standardized regulations which detail how businesses in the industry should be enforcing health and safety throughout their workplace. If compliance is not followed, this can lead to costly fines and legal consequences for the business owner, as well as an increased risk of accidents.
One aspect of OSHA compliance is the use of pipe markings. A pipe marking is used to identify the contents of pipes so both employees and emergency workers can quickly access key information such as the type of material, flow direction, and potential hazards. There is plenty of guidance available on websites such as Pipemarking.net which help guide business owners on how to correctly use and maintain these markings.
OSHA regulations state that all pipes containing hazardous materials must be sufficiently labeled and to help you gain a deeper understanding of exactly what is required, here are two of the standards which apply most to pipe markings;
OSHA Standard 1910.261
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills
This standard states that all pipes containing hazardous materials must be identified. Pipe markings follow a color-coding system which indicates the type of material that can be found within the pipe. The color system is an important aspect of OSHA compliance as the standard guides the colors which should be used for different types of materials, helping them be instantly identifiable from those within and outside of the organization.
As well as this, a pipe marking will include arrows that indicate the direction of flow. The use of arrows is especially important when showing the direction of flow for pipes containing hazardous materials, being critical for emergency responders who are dealing with a spill or leak.
Any specific hazards associated with the material must also be detailed on the labels. Whether the contents of the pipe contain a gas that is dangerous when inhaled or a corrosive substance that needs to be handled with caution, labels should be used to indicate the specific hazards associated.
OSHA Standard 1910.119
Process Safety Management
This standard applies to organizations that handle hazardous chemicals, requiring all pipes to be properly labeled with markings that meet requirements. As well as the requirements of using color codes, indicating specific hazards, and showing the flow of contents, additional markings are required to indicate the location of isolation valves. Isolation valves are vital when shutting off the flow of hazardous materials and can help emergency responders act quickly in the event of an emergency.
Labels should also be used to indicate the hazards associated with the material in the pipe, being an important aspect of OSHA compliance. If the contents pose a risk to any workers and emergency workers, a label should be present to indicate that the material is toxic, flammable, or corrosive.
Additional Resources
- A Guide to Pipe Marking Standards– creativesafetysupply.com
- Best Practices to Consider When Creating Pipe Markings– pipemarking.net
- Pipe Marking 101: Why is Pipe Marking Important?– infographicsdirectory.org
- Why Is GHS so Important in the Workplace?– ghsforum.com
- How To Ensure Electrical Equipment Is Safe To Use In The Workplace– arcflashanswers.com
- Floor Marking Tape Color Standards– floormarkingpro.com
- How to Make Pipe Labels– label-printers.org
- Visuals for the Workplace: Safety Signs & Labels– safetyvisuals.com
- The Common Mistakes to Avoid When Printing Safety Labels– safetylabelprinters.com