Asbestos Warning Signs: Labelling & Signage for Australian Sites

Asbestos was widely used in Australian building materials until the late 1980s, meaning many commercial buildings, industrial facilities and older homes may still contain asbestos-containing material (ACM). Where ACM is present, clear warning signage and proper labelling play an important role in protecting workers, contractors and building occupants. This guide covers the types of asbestos warning signs required on Australian sites, where to place them, and how they connect to asbestos register and management-plan obligations.

What are asbestos warning signs?

Asbestos warning signs are AS1319-compliant signs that alert workers, contractors and visitors to the presence of asbestos-containing material (ACM) in a building or work area. They appear as either yellow-and-black Warning labels applied directly to ACM, or red-and-white Danger signs at the perimeter of areas where asbestos is being disturbed or removed.

Under Australian work health and safety legislation, anyone managing or controlling a workplace that contains ACM must label the material, maintain a register of its location and condition, and post appropriate signage during disturbance or removal work. This guide covers when each type of sign is required, the differences between them, and how they fit into your broader asbestos management obligations.

When Asbestos Signs & Labels Are Needed

Work health and safety legislation across Australia generally requires those who manage or control a workplace to identify ACM, maintain an asbestos register, and take steps to ensure the asbestos is labelled and managed. Specific obligations vary between states and territories, so always check with your local WHS regulator.

As a general guide, asbestos signage and ACM labelling are typically needed when:

• ACM has been identified during a building inspection or asbestos survey — labels help anyone accessing the area recognise the material.
• An asbestos register is in place — the register lists the location, type and condition of ACM; signage connects the physical location to the record.
• Before disturbance, maintenance or renovation work that may affect ACM — trades including plumbers, electricians and builders need to know before they cut, drill or disturb materials.
• During and after licensed asbestos removal — the removal work area must be clearly marked to prevent unauthorised entry.

Types of Asbestos Signage

Australian sites typically use several distinct types of asbestos warning signs and labels, each serving a different purpose:

Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) Warning Labels

ACM warning labels are fixed directly to materials or areas identified as containing asbestos. They typically carry the text “Warning — Asbestos Containing Material” in the yellow-and-black Warning sign format prescribed by AS1319. These labels alert anyone who contacts the material — whether during routine maintenance or emergency repair — before disturbance occurs.

Danger Asbestos Signs

Danger Asbestos signs use the red-and-white Danger sign format from AS1319, indicating an immediately hazardous condition. They are commonly posted at the entry to areas where ACM is in poor condition or where the risk of fibre release is higher.

Asbestos Removal In Progress & No Entry Signs

During licensed removal work, Asbestos Removal In Progress signs and “No Entry — Asbestos Fibres” signs are posted at the perimeter of the work area. These prevent unprotected persons from entering the controlled zone and are typically required under state and territory WHS regulations while removal is under way.

Where to Place Asbestos Signs & Labels

Placement should be guided by the location of identified ACM and the areas workers and contractors are likely to access. Common placement locations include:

• Electrical switchboards and meter boxes — often contain asbestos backing boards in pre-1990 buildings; labels on the panel door alert electricians before they open it.
• Eaves, fascias and cladding — fibro sheeting was commonly used; labels on accessible panels or nearby entry points help tradespeople identify ACM before cutting or nailing.
• Roof spaces and ceiling cavities — where loose-fill or friable asbestos may be present, a warning sign at the access hatch is advisable.
• Building entry points — where an entire floor or building contains significant ACM, a Danger Asbestos sign at the main entry informs all persons entering.
• Removal work-area perimeters — signage and barrier tape should fully enclose the controlled zone, with signs at every entry point facing away from the work area.

For guidance on broader site hazard communication, see our post on construction site signage and chemical and hazardous substance signs.

Asbestos Registers & Management Plans

An asbestos register records the location, type and condition of all identified ACM (and any areas assumed to contain asbestos) in a workplace. WHS laws in most jurisdictions require workplace managers to prepare and maintain a register and to make it available to workers and contractors before they begin work.

Where ACM is present, an asbestos management plan typically accompanies the register. The plan sets out how the ACM will be managed — including whether it will be left in place, sealed or removed — and who is responsible for monitoring its condition. Signage is part of that plan: labels and signs physically connect the documented locations in the register to the actual materials on site.

Certain removal work requires a licensed asbestos removalist. The specific thresholds and licencing requirements vary by state and territory. Always consult your local WHS regulator for the obligations applicable to your site.

Asbestos Signage Checklist