Australian Safety Sign Information

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 passer by's.

At Brady we have the widest 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 which outlines specific parameters for safety signs in an occupational environment.

UNDERSTANDING STANDARD AS:1319

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.


Mandatory Signs

These signs specify an instruction that must be carried out. Symbols (or pictograms) are depicted in white on a blue circular background. Sign wording, if necessary, is in black lettering on a white background.

Emergency Information Signs

These signs indicate the location of, or directions to emergency related facilities (exits, first aid, safety equipment, etc). Feature a white symbol and/or text on a green background.

Prohibition Signs

These signs that specify behaviour or actions which are not permitted. The annulus and slash is depicted in red over the action symbol in black. Sign wording, if necessary, is in black lettering on a white background.

Danger Signs

These signs provide warning when a hazard or a hazardous condition is likely to be life threatening.The word Danger is featured inside a red oval inside a black rectangle.

Warning Signs

These signs warn of hazards or a hazardous condition that is not likely to be life-threatening. The hazard symbol is black on a yellow background and a triangle is depicted around the hazard symbol. Sign wording, if necessary, is in black lettering on a yellow background.

General Information Signs

These signs are not referred in AS1319,however are available due to popular demand. They communicate information of a general nature and often refer to Housekeeping, Company Practices and Logistics.

Fire Signs

Advise the location of fire alarms and fire fighting equipment. They contain a white symbol and/or text on a red background.

BRADY SAFETY SIGNS VS. COMPETITOR SIGNS

At Brady Australia, we specialise in making premium quality and compliant safety signs in thousands of various legends, sizes and substrates. We pride ourselves as the market leader with the broadest range, and together with over 30 years of experience, we offer high performance signage.

As there are many other sign makers in the industry, we cannot control where signs are purchased - however we have made it easier for our customers to distinguish between a Brady sign and a copied sign. Below is a picture of a Brady sign, here we have noted some differences you will notice from a visual perspective, as compared to our competitors.

  • Competitor’s ‘Hand Protection’ sign has ink that has run
  • Competitor’s ‘No Smoking In This Area’ sign has colours that have faded

SAFETY SIGN 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, 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 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 Brady Safety Signs, please use the below diagram as a guide.

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