Flagging Tape: The One Tool You Need for Tackling Multiple Jobs

Flagging tape is an essential part of many businesses and industries - it's vibrant colors and lightweight but durable material make it an effective tool with a multitude of uses. The different colors often have a universal code, creating a virtual shorthand of communication that aids in both expediting the job and in keeping people safe while doing it. The following are some of the most common and important uses for flagging tape:

• Surveying. Flagging tape is used by surveyors to designate boundaries of land intended for a specific purpose. Because these markers often remain in place for months and even years while a project is in development, it is important that the color of the tape remains bright through the duration of the job. This is one of the hallmarks of flagging tape - it's color won't fade over time regardless of sun, wind, rain or other weather conditions.
• Disasters. Emergency crews and first responders use flagging tape to relay information to crew members during a disaster. Red is used to indicate patients with serious injuries in need of immediate attention. Yellow denotes persons with serious, but non life-threatening conditions. Green conveys non-serious injuries that can wait for attention. And black is used to mark the deceased. The use of flagging tape for these types of emergency situations can truly save lives.
• Forestry. Flagging tape is widely used in forestry to mark trees for various purposes. One color can indicate trees designated for logging and another to mark an unhealthy tree or one that may pose a potential hazard. Other colors are used to mark trails or other points of interest for visitors. Foresters can also use the tape to highlight animal habitats or alert people to hidden dangers.
• Wildland Fire Suppression. Firefighters often lay flagging tape while walking to a wildfire - the purpose is twofold: it aids other firefighters in quickly locating the site and also helps them safely and easily find their way back.
• Nurseries. Greenhouses and nurseries commonly use various colors of flagging tape to indicate where seeds have been planted and what species of plant will grow in that area. It is also helpful in differentiating fledgeling plants from weeds.
• Hospitals. Flagging tape has multiple uses in a hospital environment. Hospital equipment is often color coded with flagging tape so that if is transported to another area of the hospital, it can be returned to the proper place. Medications are also tagged with different colored flagging tape to avoid patients receiving medication that may potentially be dangerous.
• Mining. In mining and other industries where safety is a primary factor, flagging tape is extremely useful in almost every step of the operation. It can marking reference points as well as identify drill holes to name just a few.
• Art. Most recently, flagging tape has even been elevated to an art form! Colorful masterpieces like those by artist Megan Geckler can be seen at art exhibitions and online at http://creativegreed.com/flagging-tape-used-as-an-art-tool.html. Perhaps you can come up with some creative ideas of your own!