Green Zones

At many industrial plants, especially at hazardous production facilities, there are hazardous areas where exposure to dangerous and harmful production factors is possible during movement across the territory. Often, warning signs are placed at the entrance stating that everyone must wear PPE and RPE upon entry. However, every morning, employees move from the security gate to the operator room, where they change, without wearing PPE or RPE.

How can employers and employees ensure safety without violating safety requirements and internal regulations?

Several years ago, we designated "green zones" at our sites. Today, we want to officially formalize them. Green zones are intended for the movement of contractors, visitors, and company employees within hazardous production facilities without workwear or RPE, strictly within these zones where exposure to and interaction with hazardous factors are excluded.

The visualization of green zones is planned in several directions:

1. Pedestrian zones.

Hazardous and harmful production factors are absent; the use of protective equipment is not mandatory. A green zone is an area for the safe movement of visitors and a safe path to administrative and amenity buildings.

The layout of the green zone on the facility's territory is shown in the sketch.

This is ensured by marking pedestrian paths in green. Markings such as "Pedestrian Path" and "Pedestrian Path Boundaries" are applied in accordance with the Marking Design Sketch, taking into account the requirements of GOST 32953-2014 "Public Automobile Roads."

2. Additional visualization of low-hanging obstacles.

When low-hanging obstacles are identified on pedestrian paths, they must be highlighted with horizontal signal markings in accordance with GOST 12.4.026-2015.

3. Installation of combined safety information signs.

During the implementation of path markings, pedestrian zones on the facility grounds are additionally designated with information signs made of metal composite.

The signs are mounted on stainless steel posts (1-3 m) using clamps. The posts are installed in the ground according to the Installation Scheme for Information Sign Posts.

The use of removable and mobile posts is permitted.

Requirements for information signs:

• good visibility (recognition range of at least 10m) at any time of day and under various weather conditions;
• low weight while maintaining rigidity;
• thermal resistance;
• high strength;
• resistance to corrosion.