Danger Signs — AS 1319 Compliant for Australian Workplaces

National Safety Signs supplies AS/NZS 1319-compliant danger signs for construction sites, mine sites, manufacturing facilities, and industrial workplaces across Australia. Every danger sign in this range uses the correct red, white, and black colour format as required by Australian Standard 1319, ensuring your site meets WHS obligations. Choose from standard stock sizes or order custom-printed danger signs with your specific hazard message. Order online with fast nationwide delivery

What are Danger Signs?

Danger signs communicate the most serious hazard level in the AS/NZS 1319 safety sign system. They are used when a hazard poses an immediate risk of death or serious injury — making correct placement a legal obligation, not just best practice.

Under AS 1319-1994 (Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment), danger signs must use a specific red background with white ‘DANGER’ text in an oval, combined with a black panel below describing the hazard. This standardised design ensures instant recognition on any Australian worksite.

Common applications include: high voltage electrical equipment, toxic or corrosive chemical storage, confined space entry points, moving machinery exclusion zones, overhead load areas, and restricted access points on construction and mining sites.

Every danger sign in the NSS range meets these requirements — printed in Australia and ready to order online.

Industries we Supply

National Safety Signs supplies danger signs to businesses across every major Australian industry.

Construction & Civil Works — Site managers and principal contractors rely on our danger signs to meet Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) and site induction requirements. As a result, sites pass compliance audits with confidence.

Mining & Resources — We supply high-specification danger signs for Tier 1 and Tier 2 mine sites. Consequently, operators get heavy-duty material options suited to harsh outdoor environments.

Manufacturing & Warehousing — Machinery hazard, chemical storage, and electrical danger signs suit factory and distribution centre environments equally well.

Facilities Management — Building managers, councils, and FM contractors managing compliance across multiple sites can order in bulk. This means consistent formatting and fast replenishment every time

Material and Sizes

All danger signs are available in multiple materials to suit your environment:

– Aluminium (1.6mm) — The premium choice for outdoor and high-traffic areas. UV-stable, weatherproof, and durable enough for mine sites and construction hoardings.

Steel – Sign White (0.55mm) — The premium choice for outdoor and high-traffic areas. UV-stable, weatherproof, more flexible for curved surfaces.

– Polypropylene (PP) — A lightweight and cost-effective option for indoor facilities and short-term use.

– Corflute (COR) — A lightweight 5mm fluted materail cost-effective temporary option for short-term use.

– Self-Adhesive Vinyl (SAV) — For direct application to machinery, equipment panels, and walls.

Standard sizes include 300x225mm, 450x300mm, and 600x450mm and many more. Custom sizes available — contact us for a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are danger signs and when are they required in Australian workplaces?

Danger signs are the highest-severity safety signs in the AS/NZS 1319 system. They are required when a hazard presents an immediate risk of death or serious injury — such as live electrical equipment, toxic chemical storage, confined space entry points, or moving machinery exclusion zones. Under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, every Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has a duty to clearly communicate serious hazards. Failure to display required danger signs can result in WHS penalties, site shutdowns, and legal liability following a workplace incident.

What colour are danger signs under AS 1319 in Australia?

Under AS/NZS 1319-1994 (Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment), danger signs must use a specific three-colour format: a red background panel with white text reading ‘DANGER’, combined with a black lower panel containing white text describing the specific hazard. This red, black, and white colour scheme is mandatory — it distinguishes danger signs from warning signs (yellow/black) and prohibited signs (red/white circle). Using the correct colour format is a compliance requirement under WHS regulations across all Australian states and territories.

What is the difference between a danger sign and a warning sign?

Danger signs and warning signs indicate different levels of hazard severity under AS/NZS 1319. A danger sign (red, black, and white) is used for immediate and life-threatening hazards — situations where failure to act will likely result in death or serious injury. A warning sign (yellow background with black triangle and symbol) is used for hazards that are significant but not immediately life-threatening. For example: ‘Danger: High Voltage’ (immediate electrocution risk) versus ‘Warning: Forklift Operating’ (risk if precautions not taken). Using the wrong sign type for a hazard is a compliance failure.

Are National Safety Signs’ danger signs AS 1319 compliant?

Yes. All danger signs supplied by National Safety Signs are manufactured to comply with AS/NZS 1319-1994 — Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment. This means correct colour format (red, black, and white), correct typography, correct symbol sizing, and correct hazard language. Our signs are Australian-made and printed to commercial-grade standards. If you need a compliance confirmation letter for a site audit or SafeWork inspection, contact our team. We regularly supply Tier 1 construction and mining operators who are subject to stringent third-party compliance audits.

What materials are available for danger signs, and which is best for outdoor use?

Danger signs from National Safety Signs are available in rigid aluminium (1.6mm), polypropylene, and self-adhesive vinyl. For outdoor and heavy-duty environments — including construction sites, mine sites, and industrial facilities — rigid aluminium is the recommended material. It is UV-stable, weatherproof, and resistant to physical damage. Polypropylene is suitable for indoor use or temporary applications. Self-adhesive vinyl is designed for direct application to equipment or machinery panels. If you are unsure which material is right for your environment, contact our sales team for a recommendation.

Can I order custom danger signs with my own hazard message?

Yes. National Safety Signs offers custom-printed danger signs with your specific hazard wording, while maintaining full AS/NZS 1319 compliance in terms of colour, layout, and typography. This is particularly useful for non-standard hazards specific to your site — for example, ‘Danger: Toxic Gas — No Naked Flames’ or ‘Danger: Overhead Load — Do Not Enter’. Custom orders can be submitted via our online Design a Sign tool or by contacting our sales team directly. Minimum quantities and lead times apply — contact us for a quote.

How quickly will my danger signs be delivered?

National Safety Signs dispatches orders Monday to Friday from our Brisbane production facility. Standard stock danger signs are typically dispatched same day or next business day. Express shipping is available to all Australian capital cities and most regional areas. Delivery timeframes: Brisbane — 1 business day; Sydney, Melbourne — 2–3 business days; Perth, Adelaide, Darwin — 3–5 business days. For urgent site requirements, contact our team on (07) 5665 8996 to confirm stock availability and dispatch options before ordering.

What are the legal consequences of not displaying danger signs in a workplace?

Failing to display required danger signs in an Australian workplace can result in serious legal and financial consequences. Under the Work Health and Safety Act (Commonwealth and state/territory equivalents), a PCBU that fails to communicate serious hazards may face compliance notices, improvement notices, and prohibition notices that halt site operations. Financial penalties can reach $50,000 or more for corporations under some jurisdictions. In the event of a workplace incident, absence of required signage is strong evidence of WHS duty failure, exposing businesses to prosecution and civil liability. Safety signage compliance Australia is one of the lowest-cost risk mitigation measures available.

Do danger signs need to be replaced, and how often?

Danger signs must be replaced whenever they become faded, damaged, illegible, or obscured. There is no fixed replacement schedule under AS/NZS 1319, but WHS regulations require that safety signs remain effective at all times. In outdoor environments, UV exposure and weather will degrade signs over time — aluminium signs with UV-stable inks typically last 5–7 years outdoors. Regular site inspections should include a signage check. National Safety Signs offers bulk ordering options that make it cost-effective to keep replacement stock on hand for immediate compliance maintenance.

What information should a danger sign display?

Under AS/NZS 1319, a danger sign must display the word ‘DANGER’ in white on a red oval background, followed by a specific description of the hazard on the black panel below. The hazard description should be concise and actionable — for example, ‘High Voltage’, ‘Confined Space — Do Not Enter Without Permit’, or ‘Chemical Storage — Authorised Personnel Only’. Symbols may be included but must comply with AS 1319 symbol specifications. The sign must be large enough to be legible at the relevant viewing distance. National Safety Signs can advise on correct sizing for your specific application.