Safety & Hazard Tapes

Safety and hazard tapes are essential for maintaining industrial and workplace safety. Available as both non-adhesive barricade tapes for temporary cordons and durable self-adhesive rolls for floor marking, they are designed for high visibility.

Made from tough materials, these tapes are easy to apply to various surfaces, including concrete and wood floors. With features like anti-slip textures available, these tapes are crucial for marking hazards, directing traffic, and preventing accidents in any work environment.

Types of Safety & Hazard Tapes

Safety tapes come in various types, each designed for a specific purpose. Understanding the differences is key to selecting the right tape for your workplace.

Safety Tape

Safety tapes are used for general safety marking in workplaces and warehouses to increase visibility around low-risk hazards. Featuring bright, high-contrast colours like yellow and black, these tapes have a strong adhesive backing, making them easy to install on a variety of surfaces.

Hazard Tape

Hazard tape is specifically designed to warn people of immediate or potential dangers. It grabs attention with high-contrast patterns, such as red and white, and may include specific warning text or symbols. This makes it ideal for marking high-risk areas, trip hazards, or dangerous equipment.

Safety Barrier Tape

Also known as barricade tape, this is a non-adhesive, lightweight tape used to temporarily block off or restrict access to an area. It is highly visible and features bold, pre-printed warnings like "CAUTION" or "DANGER," making it essential for cordoning off construction sites, accident scenes, or maintenance zones.

Floor Marking Tape

Floor marking tape is a durable, heavy-duty adhesive tape used for long-term organisation and guidance. It is engineered to be resistant to abrasion, moisture, and wear from foot traffic and machinery. Common applications include marking aisles, pedestrian walkways, storage areas, and safety equipment locations on factory or warehouse floors.

How to Choose the Right Safety Tape

Selecting the appropriate safety tape is critical for ensuring it effectively communicates warnings and withstands its environment. The right choice enhances workplace safety and compliance with regulations.

Consider the following factors when making your selection:

• Assess the Hazard Level and Colour Code: Match the tape to the type of warning you need to convey. For high-risk areas, choose hazard tapes with bold patterns (e.g., yellow/black for caution, red/white for danger) for maximum visibility. For general guidance, simpler safety tapes are sufficient.
• Consider the Environment and Durability: For outdoor use or areas exposed to weather, select a tape designed for outdoor durability. For high-traffic areas or zones with heavy machinery, choose a heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant floor marking tape. For temporary warnings with no foot traffic, a lighter-duty safety barrier tape is suitable.
• Choose the Application Method: Decide if you need a temporary or permanent solution. For cordoning off areas, a non-adhesive barrier tape is easy to set up and remove. For marking floors, walkways, or equipment, a self-adhesive hazard tape is required for a secure, long-lasting application.
• Check Surface Compatibility: For adhesive tapes, ensure they are compatible with the surface you are applying them to, such as concrete, wood, or metal, to guarantee proper adhesion and longevity.

Industry Applications of Safety & Hazard Tapes

Safety and hazard tapes are essential tools for maintaining safety and organisation across a wide variety of professional environments.

Manufacturing & Warehousing

In busy manufacturing plants and warehouses, tapes are critical for efficiency and safety. Durable floor marking tapes create clear pathways, guiding both pedestrian and vehicle traffic like forklifts.

Hazard tapes are used for equipment isolation during maintenance, while barrier tapes can create temporary warning barriers around spills or active work areas, improving workflow and preventing accidents.

Construction Sites

On dynamic and often dangerous construction sites, tapes are used to manage risk and control access. Brightly coloured safety barrier tapes are essential for restricted zone marking to prevent unauthorised entry. They can also be used for equipment protection by increasing its visibility, or to provide a clear hazardous materials warning in areas with specific chemical or structural risks.

Healthcare & Laboratories

In controlled environments like hospitals, clinics, and laboratories, tapes play a vital role in protocol and safety. Specific tapes are used for clear biohazard marking on waste containers or doorways. They can also delineate cleanroom boundaries, create temporary contamination zones, or mark off areas requiring specific sterile procedures, helping to prevent cross-contamination and ensure compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Safety & Hazard Tapes

What is the difference between danger tape and caution tape?

While often confused, danger and caution tapes signal different levels of risk. Caution tape, typically yellow and black, is used to mark areas with potential, lower-risk hazards. It alerts people to be aware and proceed with care.

Danger tape, typically red and white, indicates an immediate, high-risk hazard. It is used to block entry to areas where a person could be seriously injured or killed.

What are the different colour-coded hazard tapes for different uses?

While specific standards can vary by region and workplace, there are widely recognised colour combinations used for safety and hazard tapes to quickly identify the level and type of risk.

• Red / White: Used for fire prevention, to identify the location of protection equipment, or to block off areas with extreme danger.
• Black / Yellow / Orange / White: Indicates physical hazards of a cautionary nature, such as trip hazards, low-hanging objects, or areas where you should watch your step.
• Black / White: Generally used for housekeeping and aisle marking to guide traffic flow and organise work areas, especially in lean manufacturing.
• Green / White: Designates the location of safety equipment, such as first aid stations, emergency eyewash, and safety showers.
• Blue / White: Used to mark machinery that is down for repair or defective, warning employees not to operate it.
• Orange / White: Often used as a general warning for traffic and caution, particularly around construction zones or areas with moving equipment.
• Pink / Yellow: Specifically used to indicate radiation hazards.

In addition to colours, tapes often feature bold text like “CAUTION,” “DANGER,” or “DO NOT ENTER” for unambiguous communication.

How to Order Safety & Hazard Tapes from RS Australia?

For all your workplace safety needs, find the right safety and hazard tapes at RS Australia. We are a leading supplier of high-quality tapes from trusted brands, including 3M, Tesa, Advance Tapes, and Brady. Browse our complete online catalogue to find the perfect safety floor tapes, self-fusing tape, silicone sealants, and velcro loop tapes to ensure a safe and compliant work environment.

Purchasing from us is quick and easy. Once you’ve selected the products you need, simply add them to your cart and follow the prompts in our secure online checkout. We provide multiple payment options for your convenience. For full details on our delivery services, shipping costs, and coverage throughout Australia, visit our Delivery Information page.