Warehouse Safety: How Linerless Labels Eliminate Slip Hazards
That glossy backing paper under traditional labels is more than waste - it is a slick surface that causes slip-and-fall incidents on warehouse floors. Linerless labels erase the hazard and streamline shift productivity at the same time.
The Hidden Risk
Silicone-coated liners resist moisture and friction. When they land on concrete, they behave like ice under a boot or pallet jack. Beyond workers' compensation claims, unexpected slips interrupt throughput and can trigger OSHA citations.
Operational Wins with Linerless
- No liner, no hazard: Removing the backing paper prevents the slick debris that accumulates around pack benches.
- More labels per roll: Up to 50% more labels fit on a linerless roll, cutting changeovers during peak waves.
- Cleaner print stations: Less debris means fewer printhead clogs and better barcode grades on outbound parcels.
Mobile Printing on the Floor
Pair linerless media with mobile printers such as the Zebra ZQ series so staff can relabel totes, cartons, or pallet positions without walking back to a print station. The variable-length cutter trims only what is needed for shipping, putaway, or cycle-count tasks.
Implementation Checklist
- Update safety risk assessments to document elimination of liner debris near packing and print-and-apply areas.
- Train associates to use variable-length modes for mixed-dimension parcels to reduce partial labels and reprints.
- Track near-miss and incident rates before/after rollout to quantify the safety ROI alongside material savings.
By replacing die-cut labels with linerless, fulfilment teams get a cleaner floor, faster roll changes, and safer staff - all while sending less silicone-coated waste to landfill.