What Workers Should Know About Safety Sign Colours

Date Posted:15 October 2025 

Workplace safety signs use colour to communicate instantly. Explore what red, yellow, blue, green, and black-and-white signs mean and why they’re essential for WHS compliance.

Verdex Insights: At a Glance

  • The Challenge: Many workplaces rely on outdated or inconsistent signage that confuses staff, increases safety risks, and fails to meet Australian Standard AS 1319:1994 requirements.

  • The Insight: Colour consistency in safety signage is vital for clear, instant communication. Correct use of red, yellow, blue, green, and black-and-white signs helps prevent accidents, supports WHS compliance, and improves emergency response times.

  • The Verdex Solution: Verdex supplies AS 1319:1994 compliant safety signage and workplace safety solutions for warehousing, logistics, construction, and manufacturing environments. Our durable, high-visibility signs and expert guidance help businesses stay compliant, protect workers, and maintain safe, well-organised sites.

 

Why Colours Matter in Safety Signage

In high-risk environments like warehouses, construction sites, and manufacturing plants, fast, clear communication is critical. Safety signage plays a key role in delivering this information visually, often in a split second.

Colours are more than design choices. They’re coded messages that convey urgency, danger, required actions, or emergency routes. Workers may not always have time to read full text, but colour triggers immediate recognition and response.

In Australia, signage colours must comply with AS 1319:1994, the national standard for occupational safety signs. Using the correct colour helps prevent accidents, enhances workplace navigation, and ensures compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

Understanding what each colour means (and where it applies) can make all the difference in maintaining a safe, functional work environment.

 

Breakdown of Safety Sign Colours in Australia

Here’s a breakdown of the key safety sign colours defined by AS 1319:1994, along with their uses in industrial and commercial workplaces.

Red – Danger or Prohibition

Red signage is used in two key categories:

  • Danger signs: Indicate life-threatening hazards, such as “Danger: High Voltage” or “Danger: Confined Space”.

  • Prohibition signs: Indicate that a behaviour is not permitted, like “No Smoking”, “No Entry”, or “Do Not Operate”.

These signs typically feature red circles, borders, or headers. You’ll find them around electrical rooms, flammable storage zones, machinery lockouts, and restricted access areas. Ignoring a red sign can result in serious injury, or worse. Pairing red danger signs with workplace safety equipment ensures staff have the right tools to respond to risks.

danger no admittance to workshop safety sign industrial facility

 

Yellow – Warning

Yellow warning signs indicate non-life-threatening hazards that still require caution. They are not as severe as “Danger” signs but still play a crucial safety role.
Common messages include:

  • “Forklifts Operating”

  • “Watch Your Step”

  • “Slippery Floor”

  • “Trip Hazard”

These signs feature a yellow background with black text or icons. They’re widely used in loading docks, warehouse aisles, wet areas, and material handling zones. Yellow signs help reduce slips, falls, and minor incidents that can still impact productivity and morale. Businesses that partner with Verdex benefit from integrated safety solutions that cover both signage and wider workplace risk management.”

loading dock beware of vehicles safety signage

 

Blue – Mandatory

Mandatory signs use a blue background with white symbols or text. They tell workers what actions must be taken to comply with safety protocols.

Examples include:

  • “Eye Protection Must Be Worn”

  • “Hearing Protection Required”

  • “Safety Harness Must Be Worn”

These signs are especially important in construction sites, chemical handling areas, and zones requiring PPE. They help ensure regulatory compliance and reduce the risk of injury from airborne particles, noise, chemicals, or height.

These signs directly support the use of personal protective equipment to protect workers in hazardous environments.

warehouse safety sign keep area clear loading bay

 

Green – Emergency Information

Green signs are reserved for emergency-related information, such as:

  • First aid stations

  • Emergency exits

  • Assembly points

  • Eyewash stations

They typically feature a green background with white symbols/text and are required in every Australian workplace. In an emergency (whether it's a fire, injury, or evacuation) green signage helps people find help or exit points quickly. Every site should also keep workplace first aid kits accessible in these zones for fast response.

Placement is key: ensure visibility even in low light or during a power outage. Fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark options are commonly used for critical areas.

emergency assembly area safety sign outside office building

 

Black/White – General Information or Directional

Signs with black and white colour schemes are often used for non-critical information, such as:

  • “Deliveries This Way”

  • “Office Entrance”

  • “Reception”

While not safety-critical, they’re essential for site navigation, especially in large facilities with multiple departments or public access points. You’ll commonly find them in car parks, admin offices, and external wayfinding.

Though AS 1319:1994 does not regulate these signs strictly, consistent use improves flow and helps visitors feel more confident onsite.

prevent back injury safety sign warehouse manual handling

Complying With WHS Signage Standards

The Australian Standard AS 1319:1994 outlines everything you need to know about safety signage compliance. From colour usage and icon design to sizing and placement, this standard ensures uniform communication across worksites.

Legal obligations under WHS legislation mean businesses must use signage that accurately reflects risks and is placed where required. Using incorrect colours, symbols, or DIY signs can lead to:

  • Miscommunication

  • Increased risk of injury

  • Non-compliance penalties or fines

The safety signs we supply at Verdex are made to specification, weather-resistant, and available in a wide range of materials including aluminium, corflute, poly, and self-adhesive vinyl, ideal for indoor and outdoor use. Complementing signage with safety barriers and security bollards further strengthens hazard separation and safety compliance.

 

Upgrade to Compliant Safety Signage Across Your Site

Whether you’re fitting out a new warehouse or updating an existing worksite, Verdex has the compliant safety signage you need. We offer:

  • Pre-made AS 1319:1994 compliant signs

  • Custom signage to suit unique hazards

  • Material options for every environment

  • Signage audits and expert advice

Don’t risk non-compliance or confusion. Let Verdex help you implement signage that keeps your team safe, your site compliant, and your business running smoothly.

 

Get in Touch with Verdex

At Verdex, we provide compliant, durable safety signage and workplace safety solutions tailored to your industry. Our experts can help you choose the right signage to protect your people and keep your site compliant.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What standard do Australian safety sign colours follow?
Australian workplaces follow AS 1319:1994, which defines the colours, shapes, and applications of occupational safety signs across all industries.
What does a red sign mean in the workplace?
Red signs indicate danger or prohibition — for example, “Danger: High Voltage” or “No Entry”. They mark areas or actions that could result in serious injury if ignored.
What does a blue sign mean in the workplace?
Blue signs are mandatory. They indicate actions that must be taken, such as “Eye Protection Must Be Worn” or “Hearing Protection Required”.
What does a yellow sign mean in the workplace?
Yellow warning signs highlight non-life-threatening hazards — such as “Slippery Floor” or “Forklifts Operating”.
What does a green sign mean in the workplace?
Green signs display emergency information — such as first aid stations, exits, or assembly points — and are essential for evacuation and response procedures.
Are green signs legally required in every workplace?
Yes. WHS legislation requires emergency and first aid signage in all workplaces. Green is the nationally recognised standard for these signs.
Can I use custom colours for branded signage?
No. Safety signs must use the standard colours under AS 1319:1994. Altering colours for branding can create confusion and result in non-compliance.
What happens if I use the wrong colour sign?
Using incorrect colours can cause miscommunication, increase risk, and breach WHS standards — potentially leading to fines or liability for incidents.

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