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Safety Signs FAQ
How do you know which workplace safety signs you need?
You should follow the Australian Standard AS 1319-1994 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment to learn exactly what safety signs you need. These include prohibition signs (like no smoking signs) to let people know what they can’t do, emergency information signs (like a first aid sign or emergency exit sign) and warning signs, such as road safety signs. There are also mandatory signs for actions that must be performed (like wearing hard hats), danger signs (such as do not enter signs) and fire signs too. Essentially, if there is a risk to someone’s health or safety, or if there’s a rule in place, there needs to be a sign.
What are the 7 safety signs?
When it comes to safety signs, there are 7 major categories listed under the Australian Standard AS 1319-1994 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment. These are:
1. Prohibition signs
2. Mandatory signs
3. Danger signs
4. Warning signs
5. Emergency information signs
6. Fire equipment signs
7. Restriction signs
This covers a range of situations to ensure the workplace is safe and transparent for everyone, including staff, customers and visitors. For example, a warning sign is required if there’s a hazard, such as a wet floor. On the other hand, if there is a hazard that’s potentially life-threatening, you’ll need a danger sign. This could be something like a high-voltage sign, or a confined space sign. There are also signs for letting people easily know where to locate essential life-saving equipment, such as a fire extinguisher sign.
How do you make sure safety signs are effective?
Where you place signs can help ensure your safety signs are effective. They need to be easily visible and not obscured to meet standards and regulations. That hazard sign won’t be much use with a branch covering it! To help ensure your safety signs are effective, take a look at where you intend to place the notice and if it could be restricted or not visible to someone of any height. Ensure signs aren’t placed too high or low, are well lit, and aren’t obstructed (or may easily be obstructed, such as on a table where things could be placed in front of it).
What do different safety signage colours mean in the workplace?
Each safety sign in the workplace uses a different colour based on how we process information. For example, hazard signs are yellow with black writing and symbols as our brain translates this as needing to be cautious. It’s also the first colour our brains will process. A no entry sign will typically have red symbols as this tells our brain we need to stop, like with a stop sign. By having these standard colours for safety signs, it helps keep everyone on the same page, and makes it easier to quickly recognise what we need to do.
