Most building sites end up with plenty of signs, but not always the right ones in the right places. A simple zone-by-zone plan makes sure every person who approaches the site, from a delivery driver to a member of the public, sees the information they need at the moment they need it. Here's how we'd plan it.
Zone 1: the site entry gate
This is where most of your messages belong, because everyone passes through it.
- Principal contractor sign. Under the model WHS Regulations, the principal contractor for a construction project must display signs showing their name, a contact telephone number (including after hours) and the location of the site office, if there is one. A custom site entry sign with your logo covers this neatly.
- Site rules. "All visitors must report to the site office", induction required, sign-in requirements.
- Mandatory PPE. Hard hats, hi-vis, safety boots, and eye or hearing protection if required across the whole site. See mandatory PPE signs.
- Vehicle rules. Speed limits, "Trucks entering and leaving" and delivery instructions.
Mount the entry sign so it can be read from outside the fence before anyone opens the gate. 600 × 900 mm is the usual size for a main entry board.
Zone 2: the fence line and hoarding
- "Authorised personnel only" or "Keep out – construction site" at regular intervals, especially along footpaths and where the public walks past.
- Repeat the key PPE sign at secondary gates and pedestrian entries.
- Corflute with eyelets suits temporary mesh fencing; choose 6 or 8 eyelets on larger signs so they sit flat in the wind. Use ACP on hoarding for a cleaner, longer-lasting finish.
Zone 3: hazards inside the site
Put hazard signs where the hazard is, before people reach it:
- Danger signs for life-threatening hazards such as deep excavations, unprotected edges, live electrical work and asbestos removal areas.
- Warning signs for overhead work, forklifts and plant operating, uneven ground and trip hazards.
- Hard hat area and other mandatory signs at the boundary of areas with specific PPE requirements.
Zone 4: plant, storage and services
- Fuel and gas storage: flammable and no smoking signs, plus the right dangerous goods class labels.
- Temporary switchboards: electrical danger signs.
- Fire extinguisher location signs at each extinguisher point.
Zone 5: amenities and first aid
- First aid signs on the site shed or first aid kit location.
- Emergency assembly area sign at the muster point.
- Site office, toilets and lunchroom identification.
Save time with a pack
Our ready-made construction sign packs bundle the core signs for a typical site in one order, so you're not building the list from scratch every job. Need something different? Build your own pack and save 10% on 10+ signs or 15% on 20+ signs automatically at checkout.
For the ten signs we'd never start a job without, read top 10 must-have construction site signs.
Every site is different. Your site-specific risk assessment, safe work method statements and WHS regulator guidance decide which signs you need.