Much of what circulates as "OSHA floor marking requirements" is industry convention, not regulation. Here is what 1910.176(a) actually requires, what the 5S color scheme adds on top of it, and how to plan, apply and maintain marking that survives forklift traffic.
Colored tape is not one product. It is four or five different constructions that come on similar-looking rolls and fail in different ways when you pick the wrong one. Start with the surface, check the decision table, then read the scenario closest to your job.
The NEC assigns colors to neutrals and grounding conductors. It does not assign colors to phase conductors — black/red/blue and brown/orange/yellow are trade convention, not code. Here is what the code actually requires, and how phase marking with tape is done correctly.
OSHA's color standard covers exactly two colors. Most of what people call "the OSHA colors" comes from ANSI Z535.1, which is voluntary — and ASME A13.1 assigns different meanings to some of the same colors on pipes. Here is what each system actually says, and which parts are legally enforceable.
