The importance of Safety Signs

Safety Signs are crucial in any work environment. The primary importance of displaying Safety Signs is to prevent injury and ensure staff and visitors are well aware of the possible dangers and hazards ahead in certain situations and/or environments. Without signs, many employees would lack the necessary direction in times of crisis, and employers might find themselves in significant legal difficulties if any accidents were to arise as a result.

By ensuring the workplace is sufficiently well signed, you can help protect your staff and visitors to the site, particularly members of the public, against the possible dangers that may be unnoticed - leading to less industrial accidents and reduced risk to employees and passerby’s.

 We have a wide range of legends for you to choose from to ensure you can create a safe, well identified facility. Our range of Safety Signs are designed to meet Australian Standard 1319:1994 which outlines specific parameters for safety signs in an occupational environment.

Understand Australian Standard AS 1319:1994

This standard sets out the requirements for the design and use of safety signs intended for use in the occupational environment. These signs are designed to regulate and control safety related behaviour, to warn of hazards and to provide emergency information including fire protection information.

Viewing Distance Guide

Signs should be large enough to view without straining the eyes when communicating safety messages to employees and/or visitors. Therefore, choosing the size of a sign is more than fitting it to the space you have available.

In order to comply with AS 1319:1994 you must consider the environment, lighting and viewing distance – these factors will determine the size of sign required to suit your application.

The recommended minimum sizes as per AS 1319:1994 are as follow. For a pictogram and worded sign in a factory or work environment, where lighting is good and the sign will be mounted in a reasonably prominent position.

• Pictogram size is to be at least 15mm per metre of viewing distance
• Text size:
  - Upper case: 5mm per metre of viewing distance
  - Lower case: 4mm per metre of viewing distance

For Safety Signs, please use the below diagram as a guide.