Safety Signs
The Seton Glossary: Everything you need to know about Safety Signs!
Whether you need to alert your valued employees to potential hazards with a Danger Sign, remind your colleagues to wear hearing protection, or are required to signpost the location of a Defibrillator, Seton's catalogue of signage is as large as it is impressive.
Find out more about our range of Safety Signs below!
Jump to:
Types of Safety Signs
Braille Signs - These use Braille dots to communicate messages to the visually impaired. The number of dots and the position on the sign represent words, letters, numbers and punctuation.
Construction Signs - A construction sign includes anything related to safe workplace practices and procedures on construction and building sites.
![Danger Sign](https://www.seton.net.au/media/wysiwyg/landing-pages/safety-signs/danger-warning-sign-electrical-hazard-seton-sign.jpg)
Danger Signs - These signs indicate a potentially life-threatening hazard or obstacle using black, white and red text with a ‘Danger’ message for added visibility. They are specified in the Australian Standard AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
Directional Signs - Often used in workplaces and public spaces, directional signs provide information on locations and points of interest.
Emergency Information Signs - These indicate the location and direction of emergency-related facilities including first aid rooms, evacuation areas and first aid kits. They are usually green with white text and/or symbols. They are specified in the Australian Standard AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
![fire_safety_sign](https://www.seton.net.au/media/wysiwyg/landing-pages/safety-signs/fire-door-do-not-obstruct-seton-sign.jpg)
Fire Safety Signs - Fire signage indicates the location of fire-fighting facilities and fire safety equipment such as fire blankets, fire extinguishers, hose reels and alarms. They are specified in the Australian Standard AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
Office Signs - Besides being used for providing information in workplaces and public buildings (such as the location of rooms and evacuation areas), office signs can also be used for promotional purposes.
![eye_protection](https://www.seton.net.au/media/wysiwyg/landing-pages/safety-signs/blue-eye-protection-must-be-worn-on-this-area-seton-sign.jpg)
Mandatory Signs - Recognisable thanks to their blue background and white pictogram, mandatory signs indicate a potential hazard and the appropriate action that must be taken to help prevent injury. They are specified in the Australian Standard AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
![braille_signs](https://www.seton.net.au/media/wysiwyg/landing-pages/safety-signs/unisex-toilet-disabled-toilet-sign-with-braille-seton.jpg)
Informational Signs - Informational signs provide information and instruction on the use of an object. Examples include stop signs and traffic signs.
Outdoor Signs - An outdoor sign is commonly used to provide information outside businesses, worksites and public spaces.
Photoluminescent Signs - This type of sign absorbs surrounding light through a process known as ‘photoluminescence’. This allows Luminescent signs to glow in the dark, making them great for illuminating walkways, doorways, and entrances.
Portable Signs - A portable sign is any sign that is not permanently affixed to a pole or wall. It usually comes with a stand or a tripod that allows it to be set up temporarily and moved quickly.
![smoking_signs](https://www.seton.net.au/media/wysiwyg/landing-pages/safety-signs/no-smoking-sign-seton.jpg)
Prohibition Signs - Prohibition signs instruct when a certain behaviour or action is not permitted. They can be used on worksites, workplaces and in public buildings. They are specified in the Australian Standard AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
![giveway_signs](https://www.seton.net.au/media/wysiwyg/landing-pages/safety-signs/giveway-seton-sign.jpg)
Regulatory Signs - A regulatory sign is a road sign used to inform road users of traffic regulations, road rules and requirements on roads and highways.
Safety Signs - This is a general term used to refer to signs that warn of hazards, indicate mandatory actions or the use of personal protective equipment. It consists of danger, warning, mandatory, prohibition, emergency information and fire signs. They are often found on construction sites, in workplaces and public buildings.
![warning_signs](https://www.seton.net.au/media/wysiwyg/landing-pages/safety-signs/yellow-sign-slippery-when-wet-seton-warning-sign.jpg)
Warning Signs - Warning signs are used to point out dangerous conditions and hazards that can cause injury but unlikely to be life threatening. They are specified in the Australian Standard AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
Like to see the whole range? Check out more of our many Signs here!
Safety Sign Making Basics
The below terms are commonly used on the Seton website to describe our wide range of Safety Signs. Many of them relate to the design of your sign and how they will appear to those viewing them. Making the correct design decision will help your sign be understood clearly.
Australian Standards - These are voluntary documents that set out specifications, procedures and guidelines that aim to ensure products, services, and systems are safe, consistent and reliable. Relating to signs, Seton refers to a range of Australian Standards that dictate the size, shape and design of signs used on worksites and on public roads. Only some of Seton’s range of signs adhere to certain Australian Standards - enquire within to learn more and find out what these standards mean for you.
Back-Lighted letters - This is a typographical design that is used to make letters, words and symbols stand out and attract attention. It involves using light and shading to give the appearance of ‘raised’ letters on a sign.
Contrast - Contrast is a design technique that uses light and shade to draw the eye to different parts of an object. Using signs as an example, it is used to draw attention to the most important messages on a sign.
Copy area - Copy area is the space in which your sign conveys its message. This involves the use of letters, words, numbers and symbols.
Custom Signs - Custom signs are a made-to–order product that fulfils the unique needs of a customer. They are not available off the shelf and are made according to the requirements of the customer.
![warning_signs](https://www.seton.net.au/media/wysiwyg/landing-pages/safety-signs/glossary-explanation-face-1.png)
Double-Faced Signs - These are signs that show a message on both faces of the sign. They are often used during road works, on public roads and even inside public buildings (think of wet floor signs as an example).
Face - The face of the sign is where your message is conveyed.
Finishes - This relates to the decoration of a sign once it has been finished. These include matte and gloss finishes, as well as material finishes that make signs more durable in varied weather conditions.
Font - This relates to the decoration of a sign once it has been finished. These include matte and gloss finishes, as well as material finishes that make signs more durable in varied weather conditions.
Hardware - This refers to the nuts and bolts that may come with your sign for installation. While most of our signs do come with the appropriate hardware to install it, it's important that you make sure when you purchase it whether it does come with it.
JPEG - A JPEG is a type of file used by our designers to compress file images. It is the most commonly used way to distribute images among our design team, and you may be required to supply your sign design via a JPEG.
Legend - Legend refers to the words and letters that will appear on the sign.
Metal Signs - Legend refers to the words and letters that will appear on the sign.
Pantone Matching System (PMS) - The Pantone Matching system is a system used to set a guideline for printers to specify the type of colour that should be used in a printing job.
Pictogram - These are symbols that represent or imply a word or a phrase.
PDF - A PDF is a file format used for files that cannot be modified, but need to be opened easily on different computer systems. It is a widely used file format for storing images needed for printers.
Readability (Conspicuity) - Readability refers to how easy your sign is to read for motorists and pedestrians. Choosing the right language and font type will make your sign easy to read and even easier to understand.
Single-Face Signs - This is a type of sign that has information on one side only. This means that the viewer will need to be standing directly head on with this sign to read the message.
Tactile Signage - A tactile sign is a sign that can be read using touch. Similar to braille, it uses a series of raised symbols and print to convey a message to the visually impaired.
Visibility - When crafting a sign, visibility refers to the distance in which a sign can be seen depending on light and weather conditions.
Viewing Distance - Depending on the size of your sign, the viewing distance is the furthest possible length in which your sign can still be read and understood by the viewer. Further information can be found in the Australian Standard AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
Learn more about the terms above on our custom signs page. If you’re looking for a tailor-made sign, our custom signs page has plenty of information!
The Difference Between Sign Materials
Don’t know your Polypropylene from your Multiflute? Learn more about some of the quality materials we use to make our signs below. Whatever you choose, you’re guaranteed great value and a quality sign that works.
Multiflute (Corflute or Flute) - Multiflute is a type of rigid polypropylene sign that can be used indoors and outdoors. It is lightweight, hard-wearing, tough and an economical option for signage. This material is recommended for temporary site signage or signs that require a short lifespan.
Self-Adhesive Vinyl - Self-adhesive vinyl is most commonly used for stickers - making it perfect for adhering to walls, glass windows or car windows. It can be printed digitally, die cut or screen printed. Seton’s Self Adhesive Vinyl has a high resistance to fading, shrinking and chemicals.
Polypropylene - Polypropylene is a plastic polymer used for long-term use outdoors or indoors. It is a more economical option compared to metal signs. It is lightweight, semi-flexible and durable. Seton’s polypropylene material is made from 50% recycled material, carbon neutral and 100% recyclable.
Self-Adhesive Polypropylene - Combining the durability of a polypropylene sign with the ease of a self-adhesive backing, self adhesive polypropylene can be attached to most clean, flat wall surfaces.
Colorbond Steel (Metal) - Colorbond steel is a pre-painted metal known for its durability and strength in tough conditions. Signs built with colorbond steel can often last in excess of 10 years. It is a popular material for outdoor signage.
Aluminium - Aluminium is a strong, lightweight, premium metal with a lower density compared to steel. It is highly resistant to corrosion and is more flexible, making it easier to fabricate compared to tougher metals.
Aluminium - Aluminium is a strong, lightweight, premium metal with a lower density compared to steel. It is highly resistant to corrosion and is more flexible, making it easier to fabricate compared to tougher metals.
Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) - Aluminium Composite Panel is a flat sign made of three parts - two thin aluminium panels with a plastic composite (often polyethylene) wedged between them. This gives ACP signs a strong core with a durable, rigid face.
Brady UltraTuff - This is a transparent, protective overlaminate film used on signs for increased protection. This overlaminate is made from high grade polyester and allows for increased abrasion resistance, plus graffiti protection. Brady Ultratuff allows graffiti on signs to be easily removed with the appropriate cleaning agents without affecting the print. It is recommended for outdoor rigid signs, such as aluminium and metal signs.
Class 1 Reflective (Class 400) - Class 1 Reflective refers to a premium, highly reflective film often applied to traffic and road signs. Class 1 Reflective films are used for signs that require visibility 24 hours a day - like speed limit signs on public roads and highways. It provides greater visibility than Class 2 Reflective films as it reflects light at wider angles.
Class 2 Reflective (Class 100) - Class 2 reflective is commonly used for non-critical signage in parking stations and on closed roads. It is still highly visible , but not road legal in Australia.
SetonGlo Luminous - SetonGlo Luminous is a non-toxic and non-radioactive glow-in-the-dark material that can be applied to most signs. It works by absorbing surrounding ambient light to charge and glow consistently. Perfect for wayfinding in badly lit workplaces or emergency situations and recommended for indoor use only.
Still unsure? Our expert customer service team is here to help. Fill out a form here or contact us on 1800 531 492