Guide to an

Organized Workplace
A messy workplace is a dangerous one.
Luckily, there are numerous tools employers
can choose from when it comes to improving
workplace organization.
 Quick Guide to an Organized Workplace

Things can get messy in a busy workplace. Many businesses have goals to keep their
facilities organized but may not have specific methods for doing so. When there’s not
a plan in place for organization or visual cues reminding people of how the workplace
should look, it’s easy for materials, equipment, products, and tools to get lost.

However, workplace organization doesn’t have to be complicated. There are plenty of

philosophies and methodologies for organization, but first a plan needs to be made and
practical tools need to be gathered to fully take advantage of this type of continuous
improvement project.

Why Bother to Organize?

Getting organized might sound like a hassle, but in the business world it’s best to keep
things in order to be able to find objects quickly and easily. Consider the following:

Employees often waste time trying to find products or have a hard time finding where they
belong if the workplace is unorganized.

Clutter can get in the way of people moving efficiently through the workspace.

Items don’t get to customers as quickly when products aren’t organized.

Workers are less likely to take ownership of maintaining the space while visitors may think
the facility isn’t in great shape when the workplace looks disorganized.

On the other hand, an organized workplace can inspire confidence in employees and
customers who enter the facility. Overall, having an organized workplace can help a
business’ bottom line by creating a more functional, better-looking facility that allows
employees to do their jobs efficiently.

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 What Spaces Need to Be Organized?

The spaces that should be focused on when organizing obviously depend on the facility.
For that reason, it’s worth starting with the spaces people spend the most time in.
That isn’t to say an out-of-the-way supply closet should be left a mess, but to start out,
consider what’s most important.

Areas that will benefit from organizational upgrades include toolboxes, workbenches,
work cells, shelves and storage spaces, walkways, and offices. Entire warehouses or
production areas will benefit when these smaller spaces are cleaned up.

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 The Toolbox

One of the best things to do is to start small. Tools are usually stored in toolboxes, in
tool chests, or on pegboards. These are all excellent places to keep tools if they are kept
neat and tidy with tool foam and shadow boards.

Items to help with organization:

Foam tool kits - These kits consist of two sheets of

closed-cell foam in contrasting colors. To get set up,
trace the tools on the top layer, cut them out, and
adhere that layer of foam to the top of the brightly
colored bottom layer. Now workers can see when a tool
is missing because the bottom color shows through.

Thick tool foam - This tool foam is made of the same

material as foam tool kits, but it’s able to fit into deeper
drawers and hold larger tools due to its thicker size.

Shadow boards - Functioning

similarly to foam tool kits, shadow
boards utilize colored tape to mark
the placement of tools. Trace the
outline of tools on a colored film or
paper with a sticky backing. Then
stick these outlines to the pegboard
where tools belong.

These simple changes to already existing storage spaces can:

 Prevent tools from getting lost

 Protect tools from damage
 Speed up work since employees won’t waste time searching for items

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Suggested products for toolboxes

Creative Safety Supply has great options for toolbox organization. Click on the links and
get started with your toolbox organization project today!

Foam Tool Kits – Organizing with tool foam is easy and

simple. These kits can be completed by you, or we can
assist with CNC cut openings made to your specifications.
Follow the link to find out more.

Find Foam Tool Kits here!

Thick Tool Foam – This thick tool foam is the best for the
deeper drawers in your toolbox. With the same durability and
visibility attributes that our standard tool foam possesses, thick
tool foam gives that extra level of organization for larger tools.

Find Thick Tool Foam here!

Shadow Board Tape – Use your pegboard to its full extent with
shadow board tape and get all those tools where you need
them. Trace the outline of tools on shadow board tape, then
apply those outlines to the pegboard where the tools belong.

Find Shadow Board Tape here!

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 The Workbench

Workbenches or workstations are often shared between employees. Clearly marking

parts of the workspace to identify what each area is for are helpful to both new hires and
employees that have been there a long time.

Tools to help with organization:

5S tape – This tape is much

stronger than masking tape or
other tapes commonly used in
workplaces. It can be used to
outline the locations of items
such as boxes, bins, stacks,
piles, etc. 5S tape comes in
many colors, choosing one that
stands out or fits in with the
Mini corners – These shapes
facility’s color code
are perfect for workstation use.
is preferable.
They can be used to mark where
toolboxes and other objects go.
Making sure those items always
5S is a methodology for keeping the return to their spots.
workplace organized. It originates in
Lean manufacturing. Check out our
5S Guide to learn more.
Labels – If the function of a space
is unclear, a descriptive label
can simplify communication. For
Adding these simple markings can: example, labels might say “inbox,”
“outbox,” “finished product,” or
anything else relevant to the
 Reduce clutter workstation. LabelTac® material is
perfect for these applications as
 Prevent lost items
it resists fading, smudging, and is
 Increase efficiency via color-coding designed to last for years without
 Communicate an object’s purpose replacement.

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Suggested products for workbenches

The key to an organized workbench lies in the use of visual communication tools.
These are some of the best workbench visual markers that Creative Safety Supply
offers. Click on the links below to learn more.

5S Tape™ – This tough vinyl tape stays where you want it to,
and can be removed with without leavin a gooey residue. 5S
Tape™ can be used to outline the locations of bins, stacks,
piles, etc. on the workbench.

Find 5S Tape™ here!

SafetyTac® Mini Corners – Made of the same industrial

strength material as our standard SafetyTac® floor marking
tape, they will withstand water, chemicals, and UV rays.
Perfect for marking objects on the floor as well as on
workbenches.

Find SafetyTac® Mini Corners here!

LabelTac® Custom Labels – Creative Safety Supply offers

custom labels that enables you to easily get the labels you
need to help make your workspace perfectly organized. You
can design and order custom labels right on our website.

Find our Custom Label Creator here!

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Work Cells

In addition to marking individual workstations to help with organization, using marking

tools to organize an entire work cell or area is also effective. Clear visual cues instruct
workers on how to proceed with tasks in an area.

Tools to help with organization:

Labels – Whenever a space needs to be clearly

marked with its purpose, labels work well. They
can include just text, icons, various colors, and
whatever else is needed.

Floor signs/wall signs –

A floor or wall sign can
quickly get a message
across. For example, a
trash can floor sign can be
used to indicate where the
trash belongs.

Floor shapes – SafetyTac®

floor shapes such as corners
and T’s can be used to mark the
boundaries of a space.
For example, edges around a bin
help to always keep it where
it belongs.
Adding these visual cues help to:
Floor marking tape – Using floor marking tape is
an excellent way to indicate where larger objects
such as pallets, carts, and forklifts belong. Certain
colors can be used to communicate specific
information to employees. SafetyTac® is an
industrial rated floor tape that is built to last for
these kinds of applications.

 Keep items where they belong

 Divide space to alert workers where to go
 Make spaces look clean and orderly
 Help workers perform tasks easily

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Suggested products for work cells

A lot can be stored in individual work cells and that can lead to unnecessary wasted
space. Implementing the following tools will help keep your work cell neat and tidy
well into the future.

SafetyTac® Lean – 50% thinner than our standard industrial

SafetyTac® tape, SafetyTac® Lean is a cost-effective, yet still
durable, option for employers who are wanting to encourage
organization.

Find SafetyTac® Lean Floor Tape here!

Smart Stripe™ Rounded Corners – Marking boundaries is

important when trying to prevent clutter. Smart Stripe Tape™
will withstand foot traffic and moderate levels of vehicle traffic.

Find Smart Stripe Corners here!

Trash Can Floor Sign – Creative Safety Supply’s peel and

stick floor signs resists forklift damage, are resistant to water
and chemicals, and are customizable. Use this sign so your
trash cans return to the same place every time.

Find Trash Can Floor Signs here!

5S Labels – 5S and organization go hand in hand. Creative

Safety Supply has a variety of 5S labels. There are also
custom options that enable you to get exactly what you need
for your work cells.

Find a simple 5S Label here!

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Racks and Storage Areas

Storage areas, racks and shelves can easily get messy, especially if employees don’t
interact with them consistently. Clear signs and labels play a key role in keeping these
areas clean and tidy.

Items to help with organization:

Signs – Warehouses
with rows of shelves
often require signs on the
Labels – The best way to keep shelves organized floor or overhead to tell
is to label what goes on them. Rack labels with employees or visitors the
barcodes or standard text are useful in warehousing contents of each row.
and storage facilities as they help employees find
what they need quickly and efficiently, as well as
help with inventory management.

Storage areas may also

contain pipes that need
to be labeled for safety
reasons due to chemical
hazards. Check out our
Pipe Marking Guide for
insight on how to correctly
label pipes in your facility
while staying compliant
with OSHA regulations.
Tape – Put colored
tape near shelves
to outline a space.
Using visuals like these in storage areas can: This helps with
keeping items from
spilling out of their
 Help people find what they’re looking for quickly assigned spaces and
 Prevent clutter becoming a hazard to
 Assist with stocking and reordering passersby.

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Suggested products for racks, shelves and storage

When it comes to racks and storage, an organized inventory system is everything for
employees to be able to get around faster and more efficiently. Consider the following
product suggestions for a more productive inventory management environment.

LabelTac® Pro X Barcoding Bundle – Being able to print

barcode labels on demand within the facility is a huge
upgrade from sometimes waiting a week or more for custom
labels to arrive at the facility. This bundle includes a printer
and everything you need to begin labeling racks and storage
units with barcodes for a better inventory management
system. The bundle includes a lifetime warranty on the printer
itself, free label printing software, a free black ribbon, a
barcode scanner, and hundreds of labels to get you started.

Find the LabelTac® Barcoding Bundle here!

SafetyTac® Floor Tape – This tape is Creative Safety

Supply’s best-selling industrial grade floor marking tape.
Perfect for marking aisleways in crowded rack storage
areas, this tape will help remind employees to keep items
out of the walkway area and in their appropriate bay. Not
only will it improve efforts regarding cleaning, but it will
also help keep employees safe from tripping and falling.
Our SafetyTac® floor tape is a whopping 35mil thick with
dual-stage beveled edges that prevent the tape from tearing
during normal use and has an extremely strong dual-sided
cloth adhesive that firmly sticks the tape to the floor.

Find SafetyTac® Floor Tape here!

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

CREATE A
SAFER,
SMARTER
FACILITY.

Creative Safety Supply is your one stop shop for...

Label & Sign Printers Virtual Floor Signs Lean & Safety Posters

Ready-to-Order Labels Pallet Alignment Markers Training Books & DVDs

Industrial Floor Signs Foam Tool Organizers Spill Kits & Sorbents

Floor Marking Tapes 5S Tools & Supplies Facility Branding

...and much more!

www.creativesafetysupply.com | 1-866-777-1360
 Walkways

Walkways may not seem like places that could get messy, but it’s important that they
don’t become cluttered. OSHA requires businesses to keep walkways and emergency
exits clear. OSHA also recommends that aisles are three feet wider than the widest
equipment that will need to move through them.

The best tools for marking walkways are:

Floor marking tape – Yellow

SafetyTac® floor marking tape is
commonly used to mark aisles,
forklift lanes, and pedestrian
walkways. However, it’s best to
choose noticeable colors or to use
colors that make sense with the
Floor shapes – SafetyTac® footprints are made
facility’s color code, if it has one.
from the same material as our SafetyTac® industrial
floor marking tape. They can be used to highlight
pedestrian areas and point workers in the direction
they need to go.

Visuals that mark walkways can:

 Keep clutter out of walkways

 Help workers get where they need to go quickly
 Prevent accidents such as collisions between pedestrians and forklifts
 Make the facility look cleaner and more professional

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Suggested products for walkways

Employees have the potential to come in contact with some serious hazards if walkways
are not clearly marked or organized. Click on the links for the following tools that Creative
Safety Supply offers to help create a safer space when it comes to walkways.

SignCast™ Virtual Crosswalk Sign – This crosswalk sign is

indestructible since it is projected onto the floor. The SignCast™
unit is able to project images at distances of up to 50 feet and
works well where adhesive floor signs aren't practical.

Find the SignCast™ Virtual Crosswalk here!

SafetyTac® 2.0 – Perfect for areas that have intense machine

traffic, SafetyTac® 2.0 with Armor Technology is twice as
thick as standard SafetyTac®, slip resistant, with a strong
adhesive that grips the floor with force.

Find SafetyTac® 2.0 here!

Forklift Floor Signs – Creative Safety Supply’s peel-and-

stick forklift signs are a great option in busy warehouses and
industrial settings. Made with tough lamination over printed
vinyl. Implementing signs like these can save lives when used
in high traffic areas.

Find “Watch out for forklift traffic” signs here!

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

Transform your workplace
with this free
facility marking guide.

This workbook helps you evaluate where you need

visual safety markings like floor tape, floor signs,
 Common facility marking
and wall signs.
 Floor markings including
tape and shapes
This guide introduces important Lean concepts for
visual communication like 5S and offers strategies
for staying safe and compliant. It covers:
 Application-specific signs
such as pipe markers and
electrical safety signs

 Creating your own signs

and labels

 Outlines for 5S Lean

manufacturing

 Download Your Free Guide

 The Office

Many of the visual tools discussed in this guide can be transferred to an office setting.
If an area at a business receives customers, visual communication tools can help those
visitors find what they need and make the business look good.

Tools to use in the office:

Signs – Use
signs for anything
that needs to be
communicated.
Common facility
signs are for
restrooms, exits,
common areas,
storage areas, etc.
Labels – LabelTac® labels come in
all kinds of materials that can be
used on drawers, filing cabinets,
Tape – Tape can break up space on
desktops, and any other location
desks, on counters, and even on floors if
where things are stored.
there are aisles needing to be kept clear.

These simple tools help:

 Get people the information they need

 Improve the appearance of the office
 Prevent lost items or other confusion

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Suggested products for offices

Create an office setting that upholds the same 5S values that a warehouse or other
workspace does. This will help improve productivity and create a standard that can be
sustained well into the future. Click on the links below for tools that could be used in
this kind of setting.

Notice Signs – Use A-frame signs such as this “Authorized

Personnel Only” to make boundaries clear. A-frame signs are
also lightweight and movable which can be more convenient
than pulling up an adhesive sign and then throwing it away.

Find “Authorized Personnel Only” signs here!

LabelTac® Pro X 5S Bundle – This ultimate kit to starting your

5S journey is cost effective and makes it easy to start printing
labels immediately. Printing labels on demand enables you to
implement new strategies right away. This 5S bundle includes
a lifetime warranty, free label printing software, ribbon, and an
assortment of label supply to get you started.

Find the 5S Labeling Bundle here!

Smart Stripe Carpet Tape – Smart Stripe Carpet Tape will

stick to carpet, but leaves no residue when removed, unlike
regular vinyl tape. This tape is tear, stretch, and curl resistant,
and is available in a variety of colors for long term or
temporary floor marking.

Find Smart Stripe Carpet Tape here!

Organized Workplace Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

Conclusion

So why should facilities use all these visual cues and markings for organization? Because
people respond to visuals. They’re an easy way to communicate fast and they’re an
effective way to make organization systematic and clear, instead of a vague idea about
de-cluttering.

Start organizing your facility by assessing the space, deciding where to focus your efforts,
and getting tools to help you. Remember to consider the tasks people perform within a
space before organizing. This can help you determine where things should be placed and
how they should be marked. Once you have everything set up the way you want, you can
work on making your visual organization system a part of everyone’s workday.

5S sample labels just a click away.

Implementing a 5S program? You need high-quality
and durable visual safety tools at your fingertips.
Click the link below to get LabelTac® label samples
for 5S and other Lean programs to improve
communication and organization within your facility.