AS 1319 Safety Signs Guide

Last updated: March 2026 | Reading time: 10 min

Safety signs are your silent safety supervisors on construction sites. Australian Standard AS 1319 (Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment) governs how safety signs are designed, placed, and used. This guide covers everything you need to know about safety signs for your White Card assessment.

Why Safety Signs Matter

Safety signs communicate critical safety information quickly and effectively, regardless of language barriers. On construction sites where workers may speak different languages, standardised signs provide a universal safety language. Under the WHS Regulations, the PCBU must ensure appropriate safety signs are displayed wherever there are workplace hazards.

Failure to display required safety signs is a breach of WHS Regulations and can result in penalties. More importantly, missing or incorrect signs can lead to workers being unaware of hazards, increasing the risk of injury or death.

The Four Main Sign Categories Under AS 1319

1. Prohibition Signs — Red Circle with Diagonal Bar

Prohibition signs tell you what you must NOT do. They feature a red circle with a red diagonal bar (slash) across a black symbol on a white background. The red colour and bold design command immediate attention.

Colour: Red circle and diagonal bar on white background with black symbol

Shape: Circular

Meaning: "DO NOT" — an action that is forbidden

Common Examples:

• No Smoking
• No Entry
• No Unauthorised Access
• No Mobile Phones
• No Naked Flames
• Do Not Operate

2. Mandatory Signs — Blue Circle

Mandatory signs tell you what you MUST do. They feature a white symbol on a blue circular background. These signs instruct workers to take specific safety actions.

Colour: White symbol on blue background

Shape: Circular

Meaning: "YOU MUST" — a required action

Common Examples:

• Hard Hat Must Be Worn
• Safety Boots Must Be Worn
• Hi-Vis Clothing Must Be Worn
• Eye Protection Must Be Worn
• Hearing Protection Must Be Worn
• Safety Harness Must Be Worn

3. Warning Signs — Yellow Triangle

Warning signs alert you to potential hazards or dangerous conditions. They feature a black symbol inside a yellow (or amber) equilateral triangle with a black border. These signs do not tell you what to do — they warn you to be alert.

Colour: Black symbol on yellow background

Shape: Triangular (equilateral)

Meaning: "CAUTION" or "WARNING" — be aware of a hazard

Common Examples:

• Electrical Hazard (lightning bolt)
• Slippery Surface
• Trip Hazard
• Overhead Hazard (falling objects)
• Chemical Hazard
• Radiation Hazard
• Moving Machinery

4. Emergency Information Signs — Green Rectangle

Emergency signs indicate the location of emergency facilities, exits, and first aid equipment. They feature white symbols and text on a green background. These signs are critical during emergencies when workers need to find exits, first aid, or emergency equipment quickly.

Colour: White symbol/text on green background

Shape: Rectangular

Meaning: "SAFE CONDITION" — emergency routes, first aid, and safety equipment

Common Examples:

• Emergency Exit (running figure with arrow)
• First Aid Kit Location
• Emergency Assembly Point
• Emergency Shower
• Eye Wash Station

Additional Sign Types

Fire Equipment Signs — Red with White

Fire equipment signs identify the location of fire-fighting equipment. They feature white text or symbols on a red background. These are not technically covered by AS 1319 but are covered by AS 2444 (Portable Fire Extinguisher and Wheatfield Selection and Location).

• Fire Extinguisher Location
• Fire Hose Reel
• Fire Alarm Call Point
• Fire Blanket

Danger Signs and Caution Signs

In addition to the four main categories, AS 1319 defines Danger signs (red, white, and black) for immediate and serious hazards, and Caution signs (yellow with black text) for potentially hazardous situations that could cause minor to moderate injury. Danger signs convey a higher level of urgency than Caution signs.

Barricade Tape

Barricade tape is commonly used on construction sites to delineate hazard areas:

• Red and white striped tape: Danger — do not enter without authorisation
• Yellow and black striped tape: Caution — hazard present, proceed carefully

GHS Chemical Labels

The Globally Harmonised System (GHS) provides standardised chemical labelling. GHS labels use red-bordered diamond-shaped pictograms. Common pictograms include:

• Flame: Flammable substance
• Skull and crossbones: Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)
• Corrosion: Corrosive to skin/metals
• Exclamation mark: Irritant, skin sensitiser
• Health hazard (person with star): Carcinogen, organ toxicity
• Flame over circle: Oxidiser
• Gas cylinder: Compressed gas
• Exploding bomb: Explosive
• Dead fish/tree: Environmental hazard

Safety Sign Placement Rules

Under AS 1319, safety signs must be:

• Placed at the point of hazard and at entry points where workers need to take action
• Clearly visible and not obscured by other materials
• Well-lit or luminescent in low-light conditions
• Positioned at eye level where practicable
• Maintained in good condition and replaced when faded or damaged
• Removed when the hazard no longer exists (to prevent "sign fatigue")

Quick Reference: Sign Colour Memory Trick

Use this simple memory aid for the White Card test:

• RED = STOP/DON'T — Prohibition (like a stop sign)
• BLUE = DO — Mandatory (things you MUST do)
• YELLOW = WATCH OUT — Warning (like traffic lights)
• GREEN = GO/SAFE — Emergency info (safe direction, first aid)

White Card Test Questions on Safety Signs

The White Card assessment typically includes 3-5 questions on safety signs. Common question types:

• "What colour and shape is a [type] sign?" — Know the four categories by colour and shape
• "A worker sees a [colour] sign with a [symbol]. What does it mean?" — Apply your knowledge of categories
• "Where should safety signs be placed?" — At the point of hazard and entry points
• "What does the GHS [pictogram] indicate?" — Know the nine GHS pictograms