Are you tired of constantly repainting over safety line markings and signage?
Maybe your people are so used to seeing them that they walk past them and ignore serious hazards altogether?
Frustrations like these are not unusual for workplace managers desperately trying to keep their people and assets safe.
Whether you want to stop a pedestrian from walking into a forklift’s path or remind a truck to lower its boom ahead of a doorway, painted lines and signage just aren’t going to cut it.
Why? They fade, lack visibility, and require significant maintenance.
So, what’s the alternative?
More and more businesses are turning to light-projected safety markings as a smarter, safer, and more cost-effective solution.
Not only do these solutions give you the best chance of keeping people safe and operations running smoothly, but they’ll also save you high costs long-term.
In this article, we cover:
- Where painted safety markings fall short
- What are Projected Safety Markings?
- How are LED and laser projector units installed?
- What does an LED Projector or Laser Line Marker cost?
If you’re unsure whether it’s time to ditch high-maintenance paint for a safer, cheaper long-term solution, this guide will give you the confidence you need to make an informed decision. The outcome? A safer workplace for your people and assets.
Where Painted Safety Markings Fall Short
Demand for goods and services is increasing, and workplaces are only getting busier with the movement of vehicles, forklifts, and other material-handling equipment (MHE).
With higher traffic levels, there is greater wear and tear on painted lines and safety signage, especially in new buildings where paint doesn’t last as long. Not only do they become harder to recognise as they fade, but people can also become too accustomed to seeing them and end up ignoring them.
The lack of visibility of painted lines and signage poses a significant safety risk, and the constant need to repaint them is an incredibly expensive exercise—more paint, more operational downtime, and more hassle.
While paint has long been the traditional safety signage method in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and plants, it’s not necessarily the safest, most cost-effective, or most practical option on the market.
With the significant advances in safety technology, you can achieve better safety outcomes for the assets you want to protect most on your site.
One of these technologies taking the industry by storm is Projected Safety Markings. Let’s explore the different types and what benefits they could offer your workplace.
What Is a Laser Line Projector?
Laser Line Projectors are a durable, maintenance-free line-marking solution for high-traffic industrial environments where people, assets, vehicles, and MHE coexist.
Rather than relying on painted or taped floor lines, laser line projectors are mounted on walls at a height to project crisp, highly visible laser lines directly onto the floor.
From forklift crossings to pedestrian walkways, parking bays, and exclusion zones, laser lines can instantly adapt as workflows shift or layouts change, allowing facilities the flexibility to adjust without delay.
Download Full Spec Sheet
How Do LED Signage Projectors Work?
LED Signage Projectors utilise LED light to project graphics and safety signs onto surfaces in high-traffic areas where people, assets, vehicles, and MHE coexist.
Rather than using paint decals or stickers for safety signage and graphics, signage projectors will not peel or rub off. Just like laser line projectors, the light alternative to paint means less maintenance, reduced cost and no operational interruptions.
Like laser line projectors, the projector is mounted on a wall or roof, connected to a standard power supply, and projects a chosen safety image onto your desired surface. The unit as a whole includes a projector, a lens, and a Gobo. The Gobo is the image itself, placed inside the projector and easily changed to project your desired safety image.
There are limitless design options thanks to the projector lenses’ extensive customisability. If you want a specific image or colour way, the Gobo can be created to meet your safety requirements and brand guidelines.
Where Can You Use LED Signage and Laser Line Projectors?
Engineered for logistics centres, manufacturing plants, smelters, cold storage facilities, and food-grade environments, LED Signage and Laser Line Projectors enhance workplace safety, reduce maintenance overhead, and ensure critical paths remain visible, even in the most demanding environments. IP67-rated, they are designed to withstand dust and operate in varying temperatures.
In these environments, where traditional line markings and signage tend to wear off quickly, projectors can be used to create images across various high-risk areas in your workplace. They also combat sign blindness by using smart technology, such as motion sensors, that activate the image at the right time to alert people nearby.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Forklift crossings
- Pedestrian walkways
- Warehouse intersections
- Production zones
- Roller doors
- Vehicle, forklift, and other MHE docking sites
It is important to note that while LED Signage and Laser Line Projectors work perfectly indoors, they are not suitable for outdoor use in daylight, as their projections are significantly less clear.
Key Features: LED Projectors and Laser Line Markers
When deciding whether an LED Projector and/or Laser Line Marker might be suitable for your site, it’s important to consider the technical aspects that determine their operation. The table below outlines some of their key features.
For a more in-depth description of each solution’s key features, refer to the downloadable spec sheets linked above.
How Easy Is It to Install an LED Projector or Laser Line Marker?
Both units come with a plug that connects to any standard power socket and an adjustable bracket for wall, ceiling, or structure mounting. The unit should be installed by a commercial electrician who can adjust the projector to suit your projection requirements and add other smarts, such as sensor settings.
Projectors Are Expensive: Are They Really Worth It?
LED Signage Projectors and Laser Line Markers vary in cost; however, our pricing at Vanguard is as follows.
- Our Halo Path Laser Line Projector Price: $2,980 +GST
- LED Signage Projector Price: $3,550 +GST (this can vary depending on custom coloured Gobo)
While we don’t loan projectors, our team regularly travels and delivers solutions across Australia and New Zealand, and is always available to arrange an on-trial site.
While paint may seem more cost-effective than projectors initially, paint line markings and safety signage can cost businesses up to $60k per year.
With LED Projectors and Laser Line Marking, the light is far more visible, making it more likely to alert pedestrians and vehicle operators to stop, slow down, and assess the safety of their surroundings before proceeding.
Although LED Projectors and Laser Line Marking come with a higher upfront cost, they will ultimately save you time, money, and lives in the long term.
How Do I Determine if a Projector Is Suitable for My Site?
We introduced these projectors to the New Zealand market in response to concerns from the workplace safety industry and to provide a better alternative to traditional safety markings.
We fully back this solution; it’s also protected by our Lifetime Guarantee.
If you’re interested in learning more about LED Signage and Laser Line Projectors, get in contact with us for advice on whether they are the right solution for your situation.
