Safety tags play a crucial role in maintaining workplace safety, especially in high-risk industries like oil and gas. Here are some best practices to ensure your safety tags have the maximum impact:

What makes a great safety tag?

A superior safety tag must possess several key characteristics:

• Exceptional durability
• Crystal-clear messaging
• High visibility
• Resistance to environmental challenges
• Compliance with international safety standards

Safety tag best practices

Choose durable materials

Select tags that can withstand extreme conditions. UV-protected, freeze-resistant, and weatherproof materials ensure reliability in harsh environments worldwide.

Durable tags can withstand extreme conditions, ensuring they remain legible and intact in harsh environments. UV resistance, for instance, protects the tag from fading, which can make the message unclear. It also prevents the tag material from breaking down, becoming brittle, and snapping off.

If you don't use durable materials, your tags may deteriorate quickly, leading to confusion and increased risk of accidents.

Implement clear visual cues

Use highly visual status records like FLANjTAGS® to clearly indicate when all steps of a process have been safely completed:

• Use symbols to make messaging clearer and more universally understood.
• Use colour coding to differentiate between various types of hazards or statuses.
• Speak with experts who can draw on experience from other industries to suggest what works best for your specific needs.

This helps prevent accidents and ensures proper procedures are followed.

Customise for your needs

Tailor your tagging systems to suit specific applications and processes. Bespoke tagging systems not only integrate more effectively with your existing systems, making them more efficient, but also demonstrate to your workforce that health and safety are being taken seriously.

By putting thought into customising your safety tags, you show that you're not just opting for the easiest solution.

Prioritise visibility

Opt for tags that are easily visible and readable, even in low-light conditions. This is particularly important in complex industrial settings where quick identification is crucial. To enhance visibility:

• Use highly visual colours that stand out in your work environment.
• Use bold text and symbols to ensure messages are clear and understandable at a glance.

Establish accountability

Implement isolation tagging processes that assign responsibility to named individuals. This encourages awareness and compliance among the workforce.

Include signed by and date fields on the tags for workforce to fill out and ensure that safety checks aren’t missed.

Consider environmental impact

Choose tags made from recyclable materials. Working with a Zero-to-Landfill and ISO 14001 accredited company, like REGALTAG, ensures your safety practices align with environmental sustainability.

Regular training and updates

Conduct regular training sessions on the proper use and interpretation of safety tags. Keep your team updated on any changes or improvements to the tagging system.

Ensure the processes are clearly documented in your procedures so that they are followed by everyone

Safety tag industry specific strategies

Manufacturing

• Machine-specific isolation tags
• Equipment maintenance logs
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) tracking
• Lockout-Tagout for machine or plant maintenance

Construction

• Height work permits
• Equipment inspection records
• Scaffold inspections
• Hazardous material handling

Oil and Gas

• Lockout/Tagout procedures
• Pipeline safety monitoring
• Offshore platform compliance
• Flange management systems
• Handrail safety inspections

Safety tags regulatory compliance

When choosing safety tags, ensure they comply with international safety standards, such as:

1. OSHA Guidelines
2. ISO 45001 Requirements
3. European Safety Directives
4. Industry-Specific Regulations

Safety tags from the experts, REGALTAG

By implementing these comprehensive best practices, companies can create robust, intelligent safety ecosystems.

Evaluate your current safety tagging system. Are you maximising protection and efficiency? Reach out to our expert team today to find out how we can help maximise your safety efforts.