Workplace safety signage is a requirement on all Australian construction sites. Highly visible safety signs can help prevent injuries and ensure that all staff and visitors are aware of any dangerous hazards.
Without signage on construction sites, employees could be left unaware of risks and employers might find themselves in significant legal and workplace health and safety trouble.
In this blog we explore:
- Why you need safety signs on construction sites
- The different types of workplace safety signs
- What makes TTFS’ safety signage different
Why you need safety signs on construction sites
Construction signs are a mandatory requirement to ensure your business abides by workplace occupational health and safety requirements. There is a wide range of work safety signs for Australian construction sites each with a different design and use. They are used to address any hazard, danger, or other information workers and people entering the workplace need to be aware of.
It’s important to note that hazard safety signs should not be solely relied on and there is no substitute for well-trained workers. Work safety signs have a purpose to serve as a reminder and be of use to those who aren’t familiar with your construction site or safety procedures.
For this reason, it is necessary that work safety signs are easy to understand. Simple graphics or words work far better than complex instructions in allowing a person to make an immediate decision. Many are typically recognisable, such as the red circular prohibition sign, but others might need to be more specific depending on the situation.
Australia has legislation in place that started that signs are legally required to be used in any occupational environment, whether it’s a construction site or an office building. Complying with these laws is therefore both beneficial and essential.
What are the different types of safety signs used on construction sites?
These are a few of the main work safety signs that are used by Australian businesses to abide by occupational health and safety standards:
Mandatory signs
These signs are specific to an action that must take place in certain areas of your construction site. These could have actions such as ‘headgear must be worn’, ‘protective clothing must be worn’, ‘foot protection must be worn in this area’ and so on. These hazard safety signs usually have a white background and black text with a blue circle that depicts the mandatory action.
Prohibition signs
Prohibition signs are specific to actions that are not permitted. These could be actions such as ‘you cannot use your mobile phone’, ‘you cannot smoke in this area’, ‘high voltage’, ‘you cannot enter’ and so on. Prohibition safety signs are usually black text on a white background and a red circle with a line through an image displaying a particular action.
Warning signs
Warning signs, also known as hazard signs, are specific to warn people of a particular hazard or potential hazards and ultimately improve safety. In Australia, most warning signs use the hazard symbol of a black triangle and text on a yellow background addressing the danger. One example of a warning sign is ‘slippery when wet’.
Fire safety signs
Fire safety signs are used to help workers and visitors find the location of fire alarms, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment in the event of a fire. Fire safety signs are usually white text on a red background.
Emergency information signs
These workplace signs help workers find the location of emergency related facilities and equipment. These could be facilities such as emergency exits, first aid kits and so on. An emergency information sign usually has white text on a green background.
Danger signs
These signs are specific to warn of hazards or potential hazards or dangerous goods that are likely to be life-threatening. Danger signs have black text and a red oval on the top with the word ‘DANGER’ written in white.
What makes TTFS’ safety signage different?
At TTFS, we have a range of custom signs that are used to improve safety in a number of workplaces. We can help you take that one step further than your competitors by branding your sign, and increasing brand awareness whilst meeting occupational health and safety standards.
Our health and safety signs are cost-effective, lightweight, weather-resistant and durable. They are the most commonly used signage product on temporary fencing and for short-term signage use such as real estate signs and for events and festivals. Our custom corflute safety signs are also significantly cheaper than other signage products constructed from PVC, metal and vinyl.
We offer customisation on all types of safety signage including mandatory signs, prohibition signs, warning signs, fire safety signs, emergency information signs and danger signs.
Our custom safety signs are available in two standard sizes; 1200mm x 900mm and 900mm x 600mm. We can also make custom shapes and sizes up to 2.7m x 1.2m and can join panels together to make larger-scale signage.
We can also finish your signage with stainless steel eyelets so you can easily attach them to your temporary fencing. We are more than happy to help you choose the right material, assist you with print requirements and provide graphic design support on all of our products. You can also use our website to create, preview and submit your design online – click here to see the options.
If you would like more information about our safety signage, give us a call on 1300 876 614, or contact us through our enquiry form today!
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With depots in 5 locations, we can deliver Australia-wide within 24 hours directly from our factory.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do you need safety signs on construction sites?
Construction signs are a mandatory requirement to ensure your business abides by workplace occupational health and safety requirements. There is a wide range of signs for Australian construction sites each with a different design and use. They are used to address any hazard or hazardous condition, danger, or other information workers and people entering the workplace need to be aware of.
What are the different types of safety signs used on construction sites?
Some of the main safety signs that are used by Australian businesses to abide by occupational health and safety standards are mandatory signs, prohibition signs, warning signs, fire safety signs and danger signs.
What is a mandatory sign?
Mandatory signs are specific to an action that must take place in certain areas of your construction site. These could have actions such as ‘headgear must be worn’, ‘high visibility vests must be worn’, ‘foot protection must be worn in this area’ and so on. Mandatory signs usually have a white background and black text with a blue circle that depicts the mandatory action.
What is a prohibition sign?
Prohibition signs are specific to actions that are not permitted. These could be actions such as ‘you cannot use your mobile phone’, ‘you cannot smoke in this area’, ‘you cannot enter’ and so on. Prohibition safety signs are usually black text on a white background and a red circle with a line through an image displaying a particular action.