Warehouse Safety Marking Standards in Australia

A logistics company in Laverton received a SafeWork Victoria improvement notice last year. Their warehouse floor had faded markings, inconsistent colours, and no clear pedestrian separation. The 28-day compliance window cost them $45,000 in emergency remediation—work that would have cost $18,000 with proper planning.

Warehouse floor marking in Australia is governed by a combination of standards and regulations. Understanding these requirements helps you create safer workplaces and avoid costly compliance failures.

Applicable Standards and Regulations

Multiple documents govern warehouse floor marking. No single standard covers everything, so compliance requires understanding how they work together.

Key References:

AS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (and state equivalents)
Work Health and Safety Regulations
Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
Forklifts Code of Practice

AS 1319 Colour Coding System

AS 1319 establishes a colour coding system for safety signs that extends to floor markings. Using consistent colours helps workers instantly recognise hazard types.

Safety Colour Meanings:

Red - Prohibition and Fire:

Fire equipment locations (extinguishers, hose reels, hydrants)
Emergency stop button locations
Prohibition zones (no entry, no access)

Yellow - Caution and Warning:

Pedestrian walkways and safe routes
Caution areas requiring awareness
Traffic guidance and direction

Yellow/Black Stripes - Physical Hazards:

Trip hazards and step edges
Low overhead clearances
Protruding obstacles and pinch points

Green - Safety and Emergency:

Emergency exit paths and assembly areas
First aid station locations
Safety equipment storage

Blue - Mandatory Actions:

PPE requirement zones
Mandatory action areas

White - General Information:

Storage zone outlines
Pallet positions
General delineation without safety implication

Pedestrian Walkway Standards

The Forklifts Code of Practice requires physical separation or clear marking between pedestrian and forklift traffic. Floor marking is the minimum acceptable control.

Walkway Requirements:

Minimum width: 1000mm for single direction
Two-way traffic: 1800mm minimum
Line width: 100mm minimum (150mm recommended)
Colour: Yellow boundaries, contrasting to floor
PEDESTRIAN ONLY text at entry points

Exclusion Zone Marking

Certain areas require clear exclusion marking to prevent unauthorised access or maintain clearances.

Required Exclusion Zones:

Electrical panels: 1000mm clear zone minimum
Fire equipment: 1000mm clear zone
Emergency exits: Full door swing plus 1000mm
Machine guarding: Equipment-specific clearances
Racking end frames: 300mm clearance from traffic

Material Selection for Warehouses

Standard paints fail rapidly under forklift traffic. Material selection is critical for maintaining visible, effective safety marking.

Recommended Materials:

Two-pack epoxy: Best for sealed concrete, 3-5 year lifespan under forklift traffic
Thermoplastic: Excellent durability, suitable for concrete and asphalt, 4-7 years
MMA (Methyl Methacrylate): Fast cure, excellent durability, premium cost

Avoid waterborne paint in forklift areas—it typically fails within 3-6 months.

Request a warehouse safety marking assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Is floor marking legally required in warehouses?

Where forklifts and pedestrians share space, yes. WHS legislation requires eliminating or minimising risks. Codes of Practice specifically recommend floor marking as a control measure, and inspectors expect to see it.

Can we use floor tape instead of paint?

Tape is acceptable for temporary marking but fails quickly under forklift traffic. Edges lift creating trip hazards. Paint or thermoplastic provides better long-term compliance.

How often should warehouse markings be inspected?

Weekly visual checks of high-traffic areas, monthly comprehensive inspection of all safety markings. Document findings in your WHS inspection register and schedule repairs promptly.

Warehouse Safety Marking Standards in Australia | Line Marking Australia Blog