What Workers Need to 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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Email us at sales@verdex.com.au
Fill out our online contact form

Frequently Asked Questions

What standard do Australian safety sign colours follow?

Australian workplaces follow AS 1319:1994, which outlines the colours, shapes, and applications of safety signs for occupational use.

What does a red sign mean in the workplace?

Red indicates either a danger (life-threatening risk) or a prohibition (something is not allowed). These signs are critical in hazardous or restricted areas.

What does a blue sign mean in the workplace?

Blue signs are mandatory. They tell you what must be done, like wearing PPE or following a specific procedure in hazardous environments.

What does a yellow sign mean in the workplace?

Yellow signs are warning signs, used to highlight non-life-threatening hazards, such as tripping risks or moving vehicles.

What does a green sign mean in the workplace?

Green is used for emergency information, helping people locate first aid, exits, or emergency assembly points during critical situations.

Are green signs legally required in every workplace?

Yes. Emergency signage is required under WHS regulations, and green signs are the standard for first aid and evacuation information.

Can I use custom colours for branded signage?

No. When it comes to safety communication, using the correct standard colours is essential. Branded or custom colours can lead to confusion and non-compliance.

What happens if I use the wrong colour sign?

Using the wrong colour can lead to misinterpretation, increased risk of injury, and WHS compliance breaches, potentially resulting in fines or legal action.

What Workers Should Know About Safety Sign Colours

Why Colours Matter in Safety Signage