21 Feb 2025
Every mine site has a responsibility to ensure its workforce is operating safely. With Australian mining companies spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on workplace safety each year, proven safety solutions are something every mining operation is on the lookout for.
One of the simplest yet most effective safety measures currently available is the use of safety tape reels, which help mark hazardous zones, guide personnel, and secure restricted areas. Providing visible warnings that help workers navigate potentially dangerous environments safely, safety tape reels can prevent accidents, improve workflow efficiency, and ensure compliance with workplace health and safety (WHS) regulations.
However, with a variety of different reels on the market, choosing the right safety tape reel depends on various factors, including tape length, durability, visibility, and mounting options.
At Backsafe Australia, we specialize in workplace safety solutions, helping businesses transform WHS, workflows, and productivity through human-centred engineering. With 7,000+ products together with the capability to build a custom solution from scratch, we can help drive continuous improvement and optimisation right across your business.
In this article, we break down what to look for in a safety tape reel so you can make a confident and clear choice.
Why Safety Tape Reels Are Essential for Workplace Safety
Safety tape reels are widely used in hazard management and workplace safety, ensuring that high-risk areas are properly marked and restricted. These simple yet effective tools help:
Clearly define restricted zones – Mark areas where unauthorized personnel should not enter.
Prevent workplace accidents – Alert workers and visitors of hazards such as spillages, falling objects, or moving machinery.
Improve workflow organisation – Guide personnel safely through designated walkways and work areas.
Ensure compliance with safety regulations – Meet WHS standards for proper hazard communication in industrial workplaces.
Preventing Workplace Incidents with Safety Tape
According to Safe Work Australia, falling objects, vehicle collisions, and worker missteps are among the most common causes of serious injuries in Australian workplaces. Many of these incidents could have been prevented with proper hazard marking, such as using high-visibility safety tape to indicate restricted or dangerous zones clearly.
For high-risk work environments like mine sites, safety tape reels can play a crucial role in ensuring safety by:
- Marking blast zones, unstable terrain, and exclusion areas.
- Defining safe pedestrian walkways and forklift lanes.
- Highlighting fall hazards, electrical risks, and moving machinery zones.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Safety Tape Reel
Selecting the right safety tape reel involves assessing your worksite’s unique hazards, environmental conditions, and operational needs.
Here are some key factors to consider:
Tape Length & Coverage
Choosing the right tape length ensures adequate coverage for your worksite.
A shorter reel (3-10 meters) is ideal for smaller, controlled environments like warehouses and workshops.
A longer reel (15-30 meters) provides greater flexibility for temporary hazard zones and exclusion areas, perfect for mine sites or remote facilities.
Longer reels allow for rapid deployment of safety zones, making them ideal for dynamic worksites where hazard areas frequently change.
Durability & Environmental Resistance
When you're using safety tape in harsh environments, like the ones encountered on remote Australian mine sites, you must ensure that the tape is highly durable to withstand extreme weather, dust, and wear and tear. The tape reel itself must also be manufactured from strong, durable materials that can perform consistently in demanding work environments.
Key features to look for:
✔ UV Resistance – Prevents fading in outdoor conditions.
✔ Tear-Proof & Weatherproof Coatings – Ensures longevity in mining and industrial settings.
✔ Recoil Mechanism – Keeps the tape protected and secure when not in use.
Colour Coding & Visibility
Safety tape colours follow a universal hazard code system to improve recognition and compliance.
Reflective or high-contrast safety tape is recommended for low-light conditions in underground mines and 24/7 operations.
Mounting & Portability
The choice between fixed and portable reels depends on your worksite needs:
✔ Wall-Mounted Reels – Best for permanent hazard areas in warehouses and production facilities.
✔ Mobile Safety Reels – Ideal for temporary hazard zones that frequently change.
✔ Retractable Safety Tape Reels – Offer a balance of portability and durability, ensuring quick hazard marking and easy storage, whether mounted or stored in a cart for efficient site transport.
A retractable safety tape reel provides the greatest flexibility for dynamic environments like mine sites and construction zones, allowing workers to order hazard boundaries instantly and adjust safety measures as conditions change.
Safety Tape Reels from Backsafe Australia
At Backsafe Australia, we offer high-quality, Australian-made safety tape reels designed and manufactured to perform in even the harshest environments. Efficient, durable and compliant, our safety solutions can help minimize risks and enhance your workplace safety.
A go-to, Australian-made solution for creating safety boundaries, barriers or exclusion zones to keep people safe. Loading and unloading vehicles. Entrances to factories. Working machinery. Spillages or securing unsafe areas. A brilliant portable solution to practically any demarcation challenge.
Features:
- Durable. Woven nylon webbing and non-rust, UV-resistant polypropylene case.
- Tidy. Fully enclosed tape and reel mechanism.
- Safe. Comes with a stainless-steel safety catch. Alternative catches available include: magnetic, carabiner or D-clasp.
- Ready-to-go. Mounting bracket and carry handle included.
- Customisable. Need customised text? Or customised colour to match your brand/section? No problem. Chat with our friendly team today about your requirements.
Learn more about our Retractable Safety Tape Reel.
Easily mountable, durable and highly visible, these barrier tapes are available in both red/white and yellow/black and will ensure a safer working environment.
Features:
- 5m or 10m belt lengths available
- Easy to install and remove
- Ideal for blocking off hazards or aisles in a warehouse while forklifts are in use
- Highly visible for safety purposes
Learn more about our Wall-Mounted Retractable Barrier Tape.
Why Buy Our Safety Tape Reels?
✔ CUSTOM SOLUTIONS – Every business is different. So we focus on offering custom solutions that help our clients streamline their operational processes, improve safety and bring in cost-effective results.
✔ 12 Month Warranty – Receive a 12-month warranty on any safety tape reel you purchased.
✔ WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS – We provide storage systems, material handling equipment and safety products in all shapes and sizes for businesses and workplaces. We stock over 7000 products and supply over 32,000 individual inventory items.
✔ INDUSTRY-BEST QUALITY – We have been supplying outstanding products and services across Australia for over 20 years to an ever-expanding range of clients. Just read our reviews to confirm it.
Making the Right Choice for Your Site
Convenient, efficient, and cost-effective, the right safety tape reel can help transform the safety standards on your worksite by marking hazardous zones, guiding personnel, and securing restricted areas. Providing visible warnings that help workers navigate potentially dangerous environments safely, safety tape reels can reduce risks and prevent accidents, which is something every mining operation strives to achieve.
As mine site safety specialists, the team at Backsafe Australia can offer expert safety solutions tailored to your operations. Our safety tape reels are designed to provide long-lasting, high-visibility hazard marking, ensuring workplace safety and compliance.
We have the perfect safety product for you. View our range online or request a quote.
Back To News Stories