Learn and understand the WHS requirements for Safety Signs and keep people safe in your workplace.
AS 1319-1994 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment
Australian safety signs have been categorised into 6 main types in order to apply a consistent design across similar functions. By understanding the types of signs and their purpose, you can determine what you need in your workplace and where to display them.
The first 2 types of safety signs have been classified Regulatory Signs in the Australian Standard AS1319:1994 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment. These signs contain instructions on what CAN’T be done or MUST be done.
Following is an excerpt from the AS 1319 document whereby it states:
Australian Standard 1319 sets the design standard for safety signs in the workplace. Signs are are intended to provide regulated and controlled behaviours relating to Dangers, Hazards, Emergency and Notice information.
Safety Signs are a must for the safety of everyone in the workplace.
To be effective, it must be possible for everyone to clearly understand the messages and the potential consequences of failing to carry out or observe the given messages. eg. The failure to follow a Danger sign could result in death or serious injury.
It should be noted that Safety signs do not replace the need for proper accident prevention measures and training.
Excerpt from the AS 1319 document
AS1319 Sign Classification and Use
Safety Signs are classified and shall be used according to their functions as follows:
Regulatory Signs
Signs containing instructions with which failure to comply constitutes either an offence at law, or a breach of standing orders, safety procedures or other directions, depending on which kind of control has been imposed at the work site or workplace.
Regulatory Signs are subdivided as follows:
- Prohibition Signs: Signs that indicate that an action or activity is not permitted. CAN’T DO – When you need to tell people that they can’t do something, you’ll need a Prohibition Sign – you know, the one with the universally recognisable red circle with a diagonal line through it. Keep people from entering private property with a NO ENTRY sign or signal that people aren’t allowed to smoke in an area with a NO SMOKING sign.
- Mandatory Signs: Signs that indicate that an instruction must be carried out. MUST DO – A Mandatory Sign is a must when you have an instruction that has to be followed. You’ll recognise these by a white symbol or pictogram within a blue circle on a white background. If your workplace requires protective clothing or equipment, for instance, you’ll have seen signs like: Foot Protection Must Be Worn In This Area or Hearing and Eye Protection Must Be Worn In This Area. You can also have just a word message with no image for Mandatory Signs, with the words in black on a white rectangular background.
- Limitation or Restriction Signs: Signs that place a numerical or other defined limit on an activity or use of a facility.
Hazard Signs
Signs advising of hazards. They are subdivided as follows:
- DANGER signs: Signs warning of a particular hazard or hazardous condition that is likely to be life-threatening. KILL YOU – If you need to warn people about potentially life-threatening hazards or hazardous conditions, you need to use a Danger Sign. The familiar red oval inside a black rectangle with the word DANGER in bold, capital letters, alerts people to the threat. Common Danger Signs include HIGH VOLTAGE and DO NOT ENTER.
- Warning signs: Signs warning of a hazard or hazardous condition that is not likely to be life-threatening. HURT YOU – When the hazard or hazardous conditions aren’t life-threatening, a Warning Sign lets you know you could still get hurt. These are easy to identify with their yellow background and black triangle around the hazard symbol. SLIPPERY WHEN WET is a commonly recognisable Warning Sign.
NOTE: The term caution used in earlier editions of this Standard has now been replaced by the term warning. The two terms are regarded as being interchangeable.
Emergency Information Signs
Signs indicating the location of, or directions to, emergency related facilities such as exits, safety equipment or first aid facilities. (See AS 2293.1 for additional information for use inside buildings. SAFETY FIRST – If something does go wrong, Emergency Information Signs help people to find the location of, or directions to, your emergency related facilities, like emergency exits, first aid or safety equipment. The green background with white writing and symbols is instantly identifiable for safety, with common signs like, FIRST AID KIT, or EMERGENCY PHONE.
Fire Signs
Signs advising the location of fire alarms and fire-fighting facilities. FIRE EQUIPMENT – The bright red of Fire Signs makes them easy to spot around fire alarms and fire-fighting equipment. All text and imagery is white and stands out against the red background. Fire Signs are available to indicate the location of all your fire equipment, like fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hoses, and more.
SIGN COLOUR CODE, SHAPE and TEXT
Danger Signs
Danger signs communicate a hazard, condition or situation that is likely to be life threatening.
The sign is shown as the word Danger on a red oval over a black rectangle. Text is black on a white background.
Warning Signs (Previously Caution Signs)
Warning signs warn of hazards or conditions that are not likely life threatening.
These signs consist of a black triangle and icon on a yellow background with supporting black text if required.
Mandatory Signs
Mandatory signs provide specific instructions that MUST be carried out. The pictograms or icons are in white reversed out of a blue circle. Text is black on a white background.
Prohibition Signs
Prohibition signs indicate an action or behavior that is not permitted. The sign is shown as a Red Circle with a red slask over a black pictogram of the action. Text is black on a white background.
Emergency Information Signs
Emergency signs are used to show the locations or directions to facilities such as First Aid, Emergency Exits and other safety equipment. These signs use a green background with white symbols and texts.
Fire Signs
Fire signs inform of fire prevention directions and location of fire equipment. These signs are shown as white symbols and text on a red background.
This categorisation demonstrates the importance of compliant safety signage that meets the colour and design principles laid out in the Australian Standard. By using consistent safety signs you can increase awareness and compliance to their messaging.