If someone walks onto your construction site without knowing what hazards they face, who is responsible, and what PPE they must wear, that is a legal and safety failure before any physical work has even started. Construction site entry signs are the first line of compliance and the first communication your site has with every person who crosses the boundary.
Getting them right is not complicated, but it does require knowing what Australian Standard AS 1319 actually requires and what information must be displayed at every entry point.
AS 1319 is the key standard. It covers safety signs for the occupational environment and specifies how warning, mandatory, prohibition, and emergency signs must be designed, sized, and used across Australian worksites.
What Is AS 1319 and Why Does It Apply to Entry Signs?
AS 1319 (Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment) is the Australian Standard that defines how safety signs must be designed and used in workplaces. It covers everything from the shape and colour of different sign categories to the minimum text size required for legibility at a given viewing distance.
For construction site entry, AS 1319 is relevant because the entry sign typically includes mandatory signs (which instruct people what they must do, such as wearing a hard hat), warning signs (alerting visitors to site hazards), and prohibition signs (such as no entry for unauthorised persons). All of these have specific requirements under AS 1319 for colour, symbol use, and layout.
What Must a Construction Site Entry Sign Display?
There is no single mandatory template under Australian law, but based on AS 1319 requirements and state-based WHS codes of practice, a compliant entry sign should include the following information:
1. Site Identification
The site name or project reference and the name of the principal contractor. This identifies who is responsible for safety on the site and is a requirement under many state WHS regulations.
2. PPE Requirements
Mandatory PPE signs must clearly show what personal protective equipment is required for entry. Under AS 1319, mandatory signs use a white symbol on a blue background. Standard PPE depicted on entry signs includes hard hat, high-visibility vest, safety boots, and safety glasses. Add any site-specific requirements such as hearing protection or face shields where the hazard demands it.
3. Unauthorised Entry Prohibition
A "No Entry — Authorised Personnel Only" or equivalent prohibition sign must be displayed. Prohibition signs under AS 1319 use a red circle with a diagonal bar on a white background.
4. Emergency Contact Information
Emergency numbers including the site first aid officer or emergency contact, site address for emergency services, and the nearest hospital or medical facility. This information must be accessible without requiring entry to the site.
5. Hazard Warnings
Any significant site-specific hazards that a visitor should be aware of before entering. Under AS 1319, warning signs use a yellow triangle with a black symbol and border.
Sign Sizes: Getting the Legibility Right
AS 1319 specifies minimum character heights based on viewing distance. For an entry sign viewed from a vehicle pulling into a site entrance, a minimum character height of 50mm is typically appropriate. For larger sites where the sign may be viewed from 10 metres or more, increase character height proportionally.
| Viewing Distance | Minimum Character Height | Recommended Sign Size |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 5m | 25mm | 450 x 300mm or similar |
| 5m to 10m | 50mm | 600 x 450mm or similar |
| 10m to 20m | 100mm | 900 x 600mm or similar |
| Over 20m | 150mm+ | 1200 x 900mm or larger |
The 900 x 600mm Construction Site Entry Sign from CivilSafe is a widely used size that covers most mid-size construction site entry applications and meets legibility requirements for viewing distances up to 20 metres.
Where to Position Your Entry Signs
Position entry signs at every access point to the site, including vehicle and pedestrian entries. The sign must be visible from the direction of approach, not obscured by gates, fencing, or equipment. For vehicle entries, the bottom of the sign should be at least 1.2 metres above ground. For pedestrian gates, eye height (approximately 1.5 metres) is appropriate.
Pair your entry signs with perimeter barriers and fencing to clearly define the site boundary, and use safety warning signs inside the site to continue communicating hazard information beyond the entry point.
State-Specific Requirements
While AS 1319 is a national standard, state-based work health and safety regulations may add further obligations. For example, in New South Wales, SafeWork NSW's Construction Work Code of Practice specifies that signage at site entries must include the emergency contact number, site address, and principal contractor details. Victoria's WorkSafe and Queensland's WHSQ have similar but not identical requirements.
Always check your state regulator's codes of practice for construction in addition to AS 1319. If your site is in NSW and is a notifiable project (valued over $250,000), you also have additional obligations under the Design and Building Practitioners Act that may affect your signage and documentation requirements.
Maintaining Entry Signs Throughout the Project
Entry signs must remain legible and accurate for the full duration of the project. If the principal contractor changes, update the sign. If PPE requirements change due to a new phase of work, the sign must reflect that. A faded, damaged, or outdated entry sign is a compliance failure and leaves you exposed in the event of an incident.
Inspect your entry signs weekly as a minimum. Keep replacement signs in stock so you can swap them immediately if one is damaged. Explore the full Sign Solutions range at CivilSafe to find everything you need to keep your site compliant from day one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Displaying mandatory signs with incorrect colours (mandatory = blue background, not red)
- Using text-only signs without symbols (AS 1319 requires symbol-based signs where specified)
- Mounting signs at vehicle height only and ignoring pedestrian entry points
- Failing to update signs when site conditions or contractor details change
- Using signs that are too small for the viewing distance at the entry point
- Not including an emergency contact number on the entry sign
Get Your Site Entry Signs Sorted Today
CivilSafe stocks AS 1319 compliant construction site entry signs. Clear pricing, no account needed, delivered to your site or available for pick up from Bankstown, NSW.