Factory & Industrial Line Marking: Safety Standards & Cost Guide

How Factory Line Marking Differs from Warehouse Marking

While warehouse line marking focuses primarily on traffic management — forklift lanes, pedestrian paths and storage zones — factory line marking adds an extra layer of complexity. Factories have fixed machinery, production workflows, hazardous material zones, high-temperature areas and sometimes food-grade requirements that demand specialised materials and layout planning.

A factory floor tells workers where to walk, where not to walk, where materials flow, where hazards exist and where emergency equipment is located. Getting the layout and materials right is not just about compliance — it is about preventing serious injuries and fatalities.

Standards Governing Factory Line Marking

AS 1318 — Use of Colour for the Marking of Physical Hazards

AS 1318 is the primary standard for colour coding in industrial environments. It defines which colours represent which types of hazards and safety information. While not legally mandated as a regulation, it is the standard referenced by Safe Work authorities across Australia, and adherence to it is considered evidence of meeting your duty of care under the WHS Act.

AS 4586 — Slip Resistance

All floor markings and coatings must maintain adequate slip resistance. This is particularly important in factories where water, oil, chemicals or food products may be present on the floor. Anti-slip aggregate should be incorporated into the coating system.

WHS Regulations

The Work Health and Safety Regulations require that workplaces are managed to eliminate or minimise risks. Floor markings are specifically mentioned in several WHS codes of practice, including those covering traffic management, hazardous chemicals and emergency planning.

AS 1318 Colour Codes for Factory Floors

Here is the standard colour scheme for factory floor line marking:

• Yellow — caution and traffic management. Used for forklift lanes, aisle boundaries, machinery clearance zones and areas where care is needed. Yellow is the dominant colour on most factory floors.
• White — general delineation. Pedestrian walkways, storage area boundaries and production zone markers. White provides a neutral contrast on grey concrete.
• Red — danger and fire safety. Red markings surround fire extinguishers, hydrants, hose reels and emergency equipment. Red hatching marks exclusion zones where access is prohibited. Red floor areas also indicate stop zones for forklifts and high-risk machinery areas.
• Orange — warning and temporary hazards. Used for areas under maintenance, inspection zones and temporary restrictions. Orange markings should be removable or designed for periodic updating.
• Green — safety and emergency. First aid stations, emergency exits, safety showers and eye wash stations are marked with green floor markings. Green arrows can indicate evacuation routes.

Special Considerations for Factory Environments

Chemical-Resistant Coatings

Factories handling solvents, acids, alkalis or petroleum products need floor markings that resist chemical attack. Standard waterborne acrylic will dissolve or discolour on contact with many industrial chemicals. Two-pack epoxy or polyurethane with chemical-resistant formulation is essential in these environments.

High-Temperature Zones

Near furnaces, ovens, welding bays and other heat sources, standard floor paint can soften, bubble or discolour. High-temperature epoxy formulations are available for these areas, rated to withstand floor surface temperatures up to 120°C in some products.

Food Production and HACCP

Factories operating under HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) or food safety programs require food-grade floor coatings. The markings must not flake, peel or contaminate products. Specialist food-grade epoxy systems are used, typically in light colours (white, light grey) with colour-coded zone markings applied over the top.

Machinery Exclusion Zones

Every piece of fixed machinery should have a marked exclusion zone — a hatched area in yellow and black or red indicating the danger radius. This includes CNC machines, hydraulic presses, conveyor systems and automated equipment. The exclusion zone dimensions should match the manufacturer's safety recommendations and the site's risk assessment.

The Bayswater Near-Miss

In 2022, we were called to a metal fabrication facility in Bayswater after a near-miss incident. A forklift had struck a pedestrian walkway barrier because the walkway markings had faded to the point of invisibility. The factory had been using waterborne acrylic paint on a floor subject to constant forklift traffic, metal shavings and cutting fluid spray. The markings lasted barely six months.

We re-marked the entire facility with two-pack epoxy, including anti-slip aggregate in all walkway zones. The factory also added physical barriers at the highest-risk intersections. Two years later, the epoxy markings remain clearly visible — and the facility has had zero pedestrian-forklift incidents since.

This scenario is repeated across industrial facilities in Dandenong South and Melbourne's south-east. The upfront cost of quality materials pays for itself in safety and longevity.

Factory Line Marking Costs

Indicative pricing for 2026:

• Waterborne acrylic lines: $3 – $6 per linear metre (short lifespan in factory environments)
• Two-pack epoxy lines: $8 – $15 per linear metre
• Chemical-resistant epoxy: $12 – $20 per linear metre
• Full factory re-mark (3,000 m² facility): $8,000 – $25,000
• Machinery exclusion zones (per machine): $200 – $600

Frequently Asked Questions

What colour lines should be used in a factory?

Follow AS 1318: yellow for forklift lanes and caution areas, white for pedestrian walkways, red for fire equipment and danger zones, green for safety equipment and emergency routes. Consistent colour usage across the facility is critical.

How long do factory floor markings last?

Two-pack epoxy markings on a factory floor last 5–8 years. Waterborne paint lasts 6–18 months under forklift traffic. Chemical-resistant coatings in harsh environments should be inspected annually.

Can you do factory line marking without stopping production?

Yes, but it requires careful planning. We stage the work in zones, typically over weekends or during shift changeovers. For 24/7 operations, we work on one section at a time while the rest of the factory operates normally.

Do I need a permit for factory line marking?

No building permit is required for floor markings. However, if the factory operates under specific regulations (e.g. dangerous goods, food production), the marking materials must comply with those regulatory requirements. Your WHS officer should review the marking plan.

How much does factory line marking cost?

A full factory re-mark for a 3,000 m² facility using two-pack epoxy typically costs $8,000–$25,000. The main cost drivers are total linear meterage, number of symbols and stencils, surface preparation requirements and any chemical-resistant or food-grade specifications.

Need your factory floor professionally marked? Upload your floor plan and receive a detailed quote within 48 hours, or call to discuss your factory's specific requirements with our team.