Warehouse Safety Marking Standards in Australia | Line
Australian warehouse floor marking standards combine AS 1319, WHS regulations, and industry best practices.
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.. Learn more about our warehouse line marking
Applicable Standards and Regulations
Multiple documents govern warehouse floor marking. No single standard covers everything, so compliance requires understanding how they work together.. Learn more about our factory floor marking
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.. Learn more about our warehouse line marking Brisbane
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is floor marking legally required in Australian warehouses?
Where forklifts and pedestrians share space, yes. Australia's Work Health and Safety Act 2011 requires risks to be eliminated or minimised, and the Forklifts and Plant Codes of Practice specifically recommend floor marking as a control. SafeWork inspectors expect to see clear pedestrian separation.
What do warehouse floor marking colours mean under AS 1319?
Under AS 1319, warehouse floor colours signal hazard type: red for fire and prohibition, yellow for pedestrian walkways and caution, yellow and black stripes for physical hazards, green for emergency and first aid, blue for mandatory PPE zones, and white for general storage delineation.
How wide must a warehouse pedestrian walkway be?
Guided by the Forklifts Code of Practice, a marked warehouse pedestrian walkway should be at least 1000 mm wide for single-direction traffic and 1800 mm for two-way, with boundary lines at least 100 mm wide (150 mm recommended) in yellow that contrasts with the floor.
What paint lasts longest for warehouse floor marking?
For warehouse floors under forklift traffic, two-pack epoxy lasts 3-5 years on sealed concrete, thermoplastic 4-7 years on concrete or asphalt, and MMA cures fastest at premium cost. Waterborne paint should be avoided in forklift areas because it typically fails within 3-6 months.
What clearance is required around fire equipment and electrical panels?
Australian warehouse marking practice keeps a clear zone of at least 1000 mm around electrical panels and fire equipment, the full door swing plus 1000 mm at emergency exits, and 300 mm between racking end frames and traffic, so safety equipment and exits stay accessible.
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Written by
Nizi BhandaryLine Marking Specialist, Line Marking Australia
Nizi Bhandary is a line marking specialist with Line Marking Australia, working hands-on across car park, warehouse, road and sports-court projects nationwide. Nizi focuses on AS/NZS 2890 and AS 1742 compliant work and writes these guides to help facility managers, builders and councils get compliant, long-lasting line marking — without the guesswork.
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