The Complete Buyer's Guide to Safety Signs for Australian Workplaces

Safety signs are not all the same. A sign that works perfectly on a sheltered factory wall will fade and delaminate within months if installed outdoors at a coastal construction site. A sign that is perfectly compliant with AS/NZS 1319 but printed at A4 size might be completely unreadable from the required viewing distance on a mine site.

This guide is designed to help WHS managers, site supervisors, and procurement teams buy the right safety signs the first time, saving time, money, and the frustration of replacing non-compliant or unsuitable signage.

Step 1: Know what you need before you buy

The starting point for any safety signs purchase is a hazard register or risk assessment for the areas you are signing. Work through your identified hazards and ask three questions for each one:

1. What category of sign does this hazard require under AS/NZS 1319? (Danger, warning, mandatory, prohibition, or emergency information)
2. What specific message does the sign need to communicate?
3. Is a standard stock sign sufficient, or do we need a custom sign with site-specific information?

It is also worth checking whether any specific signage requirements apply to your industry or the type of hazard. Dangerous goods storage, confined spaces, asbestos, and electrical work all have specific signage requirements under the WHS Regulations or relevant codes of practice.

Step 2: Choose the right material for the environment

Sign material is one of the most important and most commonly underestimated decisions in a safety signs purchase. The right material depends on:

Indoor vs outdoor installation

Indoor signs are typically made from self-adhesive vinyl or polypropylene and are not designed for prolonged UV or weather exposure. Outdoor signs need UV-stable materials that will not fade, crack, or delaminate over the life of the installation.

Chemical exposure

In areas where signs may come into contact with chemicals (cleaning agents, solvents, acids), standard adhesive vinyl signs will degrade rapidly. Chemical-resistant substrates and laminates are available for these environments.

Temperature extremes

Cold storage environments, furnace areas, and other extreme temperature locations require materials specified for the relevant temperature range. Standard adhesives fail at low temperatures; standard plastics warp at high temperatures.

Physical impact and vibration

Near machinery, loading docks, or any area subject to regular physical contact, signs need to be mounted on rigid substrates (aluminium or rigid polypropylene) rather than self-adhesive vinyl applied directly to surfaces.

Sign life required

For temporary sites (construction projects, events, short-term works), lighter-weight and lower-cost materials like correx are appropriate. For permanent installations, specify materials rated for 5 to 10 years of service.

Step 3: Get the size right

AS/NZS 1319 provides guidance on minimum sign sizes based on the required viewing distance. As a general rule:

• For signs read from up to 5 metres: A4 (210 x 297mm) or equivalent is typically sufficient
• For signs read from 5 to 10 metres: A3 (297 x 420mm) or equivalent
• For signs read from 10 to 20 metres: 450 x 600mm or larger
• For road-facing or site entrance signs visible from vehicles: 600 x 900mm or larger

When in doubt, go larger. A sign that cannot be read quickly from the approach direction has failed its purpose regardless of whether it is technically present.

Step 4: Decide between stock and custom signs

Stock signs cover the most common workplace hazard scenarios and are the most cost-effective option where a standard message applies. They are available for immediate despatch and typically cover the large majority of a workplace's signage requirements.

Custom signs are needed when:

• A site-specific hazard requires messaging that no stock sign covers
• The sign needs to include specific emergency contact numbers, site names, or instructions
• Your workplace requires branded signage consistent with your safety management system
• You need a non-standard size or shape for a specific installation location

Custom signs typically have a minimum order quantity and a lead time of 3 to 7 business days depending on the supplier and the complexity of the artwork.

Step 5: Think about installation

A sign that cannot be easily seen or that is installed in a way that allows it to be obscured is not compliant regardless of its content. Consider:

• Where is the sign most likely to be read? Position it so it is visible from the direction of approach to the hazard.
• Is there a risk of the sign being obscured by stored goods, equipment, or vehicles? Allow clearance around the sign or choose a mounting location that cannot be blocked.
• Does the sign need to be readable in low light? Reflective or illuminated signs are available for areas with poor lighting or night operations.

What to look for in a safety signs supplier

When evaluating safety signs suppliers, the key questions are:

• Are the signs produced to AS/NZS 1319 specifications?
• What materials are available, and are they specified for my environment?
• Can the supplier provide custom signs, and what are the minimum quantities and lead times?
• Does the supplier ship to my location, and how quickly?
• Is there a technical team that can advise on sign selection and compliance questions?

For more detail on what signage your workplace is legally required to display, see our guide to workplace safety signage requirements in Australia. For a full explanation of the AS/NZS 1319 standard and its seven sign categories, see our AS/NZS 1319 compliance guide.

Industro supplies AS/NZS 1319 compliant safety signs to workplaces across Australia. Our range includes stock signs for immediate despatch and custom sign production for site-specific requirements. Browse our full safety signs range or contact us to discuss your requirements.