AS-1319-1994 STANDARD - Safety Sign Regulation for the Occupational Environment

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

AS 1319-1994 standard for industrial warning signs sets out requirements for the design and use of safety signs intended for use in the occupations environment to regulate and control safety related behaviour, to warn of hazards and to provide emergency information including fire protection information.

The AS 1319-1994 standard provides direction for the use of safety signs, by means of background colour marking, legend and symbols. Safety Sign Classification and Use With regard to the Australian Safety Sign Standard AS 1319-1994, Safety signs are classified and must be used according to their function as follows:

(a) Regulatory Signs – Signs containing instructions with which failure to comply constitutes either an offence at law, or a breach of standing orders, safety procedures or other directions, depending on which kind of control has been imposed at the work site or workplace. They are subdivided as follows:

(i) Prohibition Signs – Signs that indicate that an action or activity is not permitted.

(ii) Mandatory Signs – Signs that indicate that an instruction must be carried out.

(iii) Limitation or Restriction Signs – Signs that place a numerical or other defined limit on an activity or use of a facility. NOTE: No limitation or restriction signs are given in this Standard. However, the commonly used speed limit sign (see AS 1742.1, Sign No. R4-1) will often be encountered in the workplace.

(b) Hazard Signs – Signs advising of hazards. They are subdivided as follows:

(i) DANGER Signs – Signs warning of a particular hazard or hazardous condition that is likely to be life threatening.

(ii) Warning Signs – Signs warning of a hazard or hazardous condition that is not likely to be life threatening. NOTE: The term caution used in earlier editions of this Standard has now been replaced by the term warning. The two terms are regarded as being interchangeable.

(c) Emergency Information Signs – Signs indicating the location of, or directions to, emergency related facilities such as exits, safety equipment, or first aid facilities. NOTE: The Standard excludes EXIT signs of the type specified in AS 2293.1 for use inside buildings.

(d) Fire Signs – Signs advising the location of fire alarms and fire-fighting facilities.