Australian Safety Signs — AS 1319 Guide

Australian Standard AS 1319-1994 (Safety signs for the occupational environment) defines how safety signs are designed, coloured, and used in Australian workplaces. On construction sites, these signs communicate hazards, instruct required actions, and direct people to safety equipment and emergency facilities. Understanding each sign category is essential for your White Card test and for staying safe on site.

Safety signs are an administrative control in the hierarchy of risk management. They do not remove hazards but inform workers and visitors what to do, what to avoid, and where to go in an emergency. Consistent use of AS 1319 signage helps create a common language across all Australian worksites.

1. Mandatory Signs

Mandatory signs use a blue circle with a white symbol. They indicate that a specific action is required and must be followed. Failure to comply puts you and others at risk.

Common Examples

Typical mandatory signs on construction sites include: Hard Hat Must Be Worn, High Visibility Clothing Must Be Worn, Safety Boots Must Be Worn, Hearing Protection Must Be Worn, and Safety Glasses Must Be Worn. Other examples are Keep Clear (around machinery) and Footpath Closed—Use Other Side. Whenever you see a blue circle with a white symbol, you must perform the indicated action before entering or proceeding.

2. Prohibition Signs

Prohibition signs use a red circle with a diagonal line across it on a white background. The symbol of the forbidden activity appears in black inside the circle. These signs tell you what you must not do.

Common Examples

Frequently seen prohibition signs include: No Entry, No Smoking, No Naked Flames, Do Not Operate, No Pedestrians, and No Mobile Phones. Ignoring a prohibition sign can result in serious injury, fire, or explosion. On construction sites, these signs protect against unauthorised access, ignition sources in flammable areas, and misuse of plant and equipment.

3. Warning Signs

Warning signs use a yellow triangle with a black border and black symbol. They alert you to a hazard that could cause harm if you are not careful. Unlike mandatory or prohibition signs, warning signs inform rather than command—but you should still respond appropriately.

Common Examples

Typical warning signs include: Danger: High Voltage, Caution: Slippery Surface, Warning: Overhead Work, Danger: Construction in Progress, Caution: Excavation, and Warning: Falling Objects. These signs help you anticipate hazards such as electricity, uneven ground, falling materials, and moving plant. Always stay alert and follow site procedures when you see a yellow triangle.

4. Emergency and Information Signs

Emergency and information signs use a green rectangle with white text and symbols. They guide you to safety facilities and important information during normal operations and emergencies.

Common Examples

Common examples include: Emergency Exit, First Aid, Assembly Point, Emergency Showers, Directional arrows to exits, and Drinking Water. Knowing where these signs lead can save time and lives during an evacuation or when someone needs first aid. Familiarise yourself with emergency exits and assembly points as soon as you arrive on a new site.

5. Fire Safety Signs

Fire safety signs use a red rectangle with white text and symbols. They indicate the location of firefighting equipment and fire alarms, making it easy to find them quickly in an emergency.

Common Examples

Typical fire signs include: Fire Extinguisher, Fire Hose Reel, Fire Blanket, Fire Alarm, and Fire Hydrant. These signs help workers and firefighters locate equipment without delay. Fire signs may also include letters and numbers to classify extinguisher types (e.g. water, foam, CO₂) as per AS 2444. Never block or obscure fire safety signs or the equipment they indicate.

How to Read and Respond to Safety Signs on Site

When you enter a construction site, look for signs at entry points, near hazardous areas, and along walkways. Each colour and shape has a distinct meaning: blue means you must do something, red with a diagonal line means you must not do something, yellow means be aware of a hazard, green points to safety facilities, and red rectangles show fire equipment.

Follow mandatory signs at all times—wear the required PPE before entering signed zones. Respect prohibition signs; do not enter restricted areas or perform forbidden actions. Heed warning signs by slowing down, looking for the hazard, and following safe work procedures. Know the location of emergency and fire signs so you can react quickly if needed.

Legal Requirements

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others. This includes providing adequate information, instruction, and training. Safety signs are a key way to communicate hazards and controls.

PCBUs must provide adequate signage wherever there are hazards that cannot be eliminated or sufficiently controlled by other means. Signs must be visible, legible, and maintained. AS 1319-1994 provides the standard for design and use, and compliance helps meet WHS duties. Workers also have a duty to follow safety signs and report any that are missing, damaged, or unclear.