What company would not benefit from a clean, organized
and productive workplace? No matter what industry your business is in, surely
you will want to achieve all of the aforementioned benefits. While there are
several strategies that may be applied towards the achievement of such goals,
one strategy that has been used to great effect by several organizations is the
5S principle.
The 5S principle operates on the concept of cleaning
and organizing a workplace. Among the practices under this principle is storing
tools and materials in a place that is both organized and accessible to
workers. Another practice that is an adjunct of this principle is marking
floors with outline markers and floor signs.
Floor marking utilizes colors, shapes and text to
convey various messages to achieve productivity and safety in a facility. Color
can convey messages clearly and quickly without workers having to read long
texts. However, it is crucial to select a particular scheme to eliminate
confusion in the work area.
Just like colors, shapes can immediately convey
messages. For example, markers with the shape of tools allow a worker to
immediately find the right space to store tools which he no longer needs to
use. New operators of forklifts can easily navigate a warehouse through the
strategic use and placement of floor tape corners.
Text can also be used in floor marking. However, there
are some disadvantages in using text. For one, it takes some time before a
person can read and understand the message that you wish to convey.
Additionally, there are facilities which employ workers who are not native
speakers of the English language. In order to remedy this, it is best to
utilize signs that use text with colors and signs. On the other hand, text has
its unique advantages. First, it can communicate a more detailed message as
compared to colors and shapes.
While many organizations have utilized paint for floor
marking, there are a significant number of companies which have opted for floor
tape. For one, floor tape is easier to use whereas paint requires more time in
terms of application and drying. If you are trying to meet a production
deadline or quota, certainly, disruption is not an option. Second, floor tape
is much more durable and able to withstand the elements, foot traffic and
chemicals which would otherwise peel off paint. Finally, floor tape comes in a
variety of shapes which can then be customized to suit various purposes.
Do you have have any questions or suggestions? Write in comment section.
