Choosing the right signs for a chemical storage area comes down to five things: the location, the hazards present, access requirements, chemical classification, and any applicable placarding rules. Get those five right and the rest of the decision follows.

A chemical storage area may need signage to identify the location, warn about hazardous chemicals, control access, communicate classified hazards, meet applicable hazardous chemical or dangerous goods placarding requirements, or point workers to PPE and emergency equipment.

The right combination depends on the chemicals being stored, their hazard classifications, the quantities involved, and how the area is controlled.

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Which Signs May Be Needed in a Chemical Storage Area?

Choose each sign according to the specific information workers, visitors and emergency responders need before approaching or entering the area.

The goal isn't to install every sign on this list - it's to install the ones that communicate a message the site actually needs.

What Should You Check Before Choosing Chemical Storage Signs?

Start by identifying the chemicals stored in the area and the hazards they present.

Check the chemical label and current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for information about:

• hazard classification
• storage requirements
• incompatible substances
• PPE requirements
• emergency measures
• safe handling controls.

Also confirm:

• the quantities being stored
• whether applicable placarding requirements apply at those quantities
• whether the chemicals are classified as dangerous goods as well as hazardous chemicals.

Flammable liquids, corrosive chemicals, oxidising substances and gases under pressure can present different hazards and may require different hazard communication.

Safe Work Australia recommends considering the hazardous properties of chemicals, potential reactions between chemicals, and the nature of the work and equipment involved when assessing chemical risks. Signage should support that risk assessment rather than being selected simply according to the chemical's name.

When Should You Use a Chemical Storage Area Sign?

Use a Chemical Storage Area Sign to clearly identify a designated storage location.

Suitable locations may include:

• chemical storage rooms
• storage cages
• chemical cabinets
• maintenance areas
• workshops
• industrial storage zones.

Its job is simple: identify the area before someone enters or approaches it.

A general storage sign doesn't communicate the specific hazards of the chemicals inside, so pair it with hazard or access signage where that information is needed.

When Are Hazard Warning and Access-Control Signs Needed?

Use hazard-warning or access-control signs when identifying the storage area alone doesn't give people enough information.

Each sign does a different job:

• Chemical Storage Area Sign - identifies the location
• Hazardous Chemicals Warning Sign - warns about the hazard
• Restricted Area – Authorised Access Only Sign - communicates controlled access.

Use the combination that reflects actual site conditions rather than defaulting to all three every time.

Safe Work Australia identifies safety signs as a risk control measure for workplaces that use, handle, generate or store hazardous chemicals. Signs should be placed next to the hazard and clearly visible to people approaching it.

GHS Hazard Pictograms vs. HAZCHEM Placards

These two systems are related but not interchangeable mixing them up is an important signage mistake to avoid.

GHS Hazard Pictograms

GHS hazard pictograms communicate a chemical's classified hazards, including:

• flammability
• corrosion
• acute toxicity
• gases under pressure
• oxidising properties
• other physical, health or environmental hazards.

The pictogram used should match the chemical's actual classification on the label and current SDS.

HAZCHEM and Hazardous Chemical Placards

Workplace placards serve a different purpose: providing emergency services with information about hazardous chemicals stored at the premises and helping identify the hazards during an emergency.

Under the model WHS Regulations, prescribed placarding applies when relevant hazardous chemicals exceed the applicable threshold quantities. Placards use the form, dimensions and dangerous goods class labels specified by the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code. GHS pictograms must not be used for placarding.

The main workplace placard types include:

• Outer warning placards - HAZCHEM placards displayed at relevant workplace entrances
• Bulk storage placards - for hazardous chemicals stored in bulk
• Packaged goods placards - for relevant hazardous chemicals stored in packages or intermediate bulk containers.

There are also specific requirements for certain situations, including goods too dangerous to be transported (GTDTBT) and Flammable Liquid Category 4. The applicable requirements should be checked rather than assuming that one standard placard applies to every storage situation.

Don't assume a GHS pictogram on a container satisfies a separate HAZCHEM or hazardous chemical placarding requirement - it doesn't.

What Is an Emergency Information Panel (EIP)?

An Emergency Information Panel (EIP) is a dangerous goods information panel used in situations covered by the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, particularly in connection with the transport of dangerous goods.

An EIP provides emergency responders with important information about the dangerous goods being transported.

Depending on the applicable requirements, an EIP can include information such as:

• UN Number
• Proper Shipping Name
• HAZCHEM / Emergency Action Code
• Dangerous Goods Class and subsidiary hazard labels
• Emergency contact information
• Specialist advice information.

The current ADG Code Edition 7.9 is Australia's current national code for the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail. It has been mandatory from 1 October 2025, subject to jurisdictional commencement arrangements.

Is an EIP the Same as a HAZCHEM Placard?

No.

Although both can contain HAZCHEM-related information, they serve different purposes.

A HAZCHEM outer warning placard is used at relevant workplaces to alert emergency services to the presence of dangerous goods where applicable placarding requirements are met.

An Emergency Information Panel (EIP) provides more detailed dangerous goods information in situations covered by the ADG Code, particularly for transport.

They should therefore not be treated as interchangeable.

If dangerous goods are being transported, check the applicable ADG Code requirements. If dangerous goods are being stored at a workplace, check the relevant workplace storage and placarding requirements separately.

When Are PPE Signs Needed?

A PPE Located Here Sign helps workers quickly find protective equipment such as:

• gloves
• eye or face protection
• protective clothing
• respiratory equipment.

It identifies where PPE is stored; it doesn't determine which PPE a particular chemical or task requires.

PPE requirements should be determined from the SDS, risk assessment and workplace procedures.

When Are Emergency Signs Needed?

Emergency signage helps workers quickly locate emergency equipment and facilities, including:

• eyewash stations
• emergency showers
• first aid facilities
• emergency exits
• fire equipment
• emergency assembly areas.

Position these signs so workers can clearly see and follow them when they are needed.

Where Should Chemical Storage Signs Be Positioned?

Position signs where people will see them before they enter the storage area or reach the hazard.

Typical locations include:

• storage-room doors
• gates
• chemical cages
• cabinets
• access barriers
• nearby walls
• entry points.

Avoid locations where doors, shelving, stock, containers or equipment can block them.

Safe Work Australia recommends that safety signs be positioned next to the hazard and clearly visible to people approaching the hazard.

How Do Different Chemical Storage Signs Work Together?

Each sign should answer one specific question about the area.

Controlled Chemical Storage Room

A controlled chemical storage room might use:

• a Chemical Storage Area Sign to identify the room
• a Hazardous Chemicals Warning Sign to warn about the hazard
• a Restricted Area – Authorised Access Only Sign to control access
• relevant GHS signage to communicate specific classifications where appropriate.

Chemical Storage Cage With Nearby Emergency Equipment

Chemical signage can identify the storage cage and relevant hazards, while separate PPE or emergency signs identify the actual location of protective or emergency equipment.

Don't group signs together just because they're chemical-related place each one where its specific message is needed.

Common Chemical Storage Signage Mistakes

1. Using One Generic Sign for Everything

A Chemical Storage Area Sign identifies the location but won't communicate a specific hazard or access restriction on its own.

2. Choosing the Wrong GHS Pictogram

Match the pictogram to the chemical's actual classification using the label and SDS never simply by appearance.

3. Confusing GHS Pictograms With HAZCHEM Placards

They serve different purposes, and one doesn't substitute for the other.

GHS pictograms communicate chemical hazard classifications, while prescribed workplace placards provide specific information about hazardous chemicals for emergency response.

4. Forgetting Access Control

If entry is restricted, communicate that separately from the hazard warning.

5. Misusing PPE Signage

A PPE Located Here sign shows where equipment is stored it doesn't specify what PPE a particular task requires.

6. Blocking Important Signs

Even well-designed signage is ineffective if it is hidden behind doors, shelving, stock or equipment.

Keep important chemical, hazard and emergency signs visible and unobstructed.

Checklist: Before You Finalise Chemical Storage Signage

Before ordering or installing chemical storage signage, ask:

• Is the storage area clearly identified?
• What hazardous chemicals are being stored?
• What are their GHS classifications?
• Is a hazardous-chemical warning sign needed?
• Does access need to be restricted?
• Do the GHS pictograms match the chemicals' actual classifications?
• Do hazardous chemical or dangerous goods placarding requirements apply?
• Are the quantities above the relevant placard threshold?
• Can workers easily locate PPE?
• Is emergency equipment clearly identified?
• Can each sign be seen before someone reaches the hazard?
• Are existing signs current, readable and undamaged?

For prescribed placards, threshold quantities and jurisdiction-specific requirements, check current guidance from the relevant state or territory regulator. Safe Work Australia's model WHS guidance is a useful national reference, but WHS and dangerous goods laws are regulated and enforced by the Commonwealth, states and territories.

For Victorian workplaces, dangerous goods storage and placarding requirements are also governed by the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022. WorkSafe Victoria states that placarding requirements apply when dangerous goods exceed the relevant Schedule 2 placarding quantities.

Chemical Storage Signage: Making the Right Choice

Chemical storage signage works best when each sign has one clear job: identify the area, communicate the hazard, control access, or direct workers to the right safety equipment.

The right signage depends on the chemicals being stored, their classifications, quantities, storage arrangements and the requirements that apply to the workplace.

A Chemical Storage Area Sign can identify the storage location, while a Hazardous Chemicals Warning Sign can warn people about hazardous chemicals. A Restricted Area – Authorised Access Only Sign can communicate controlled access.

GHS hazard pictograms can communicate classified chemical hazards, while hazardous chemical placards / HAZCHEM placards may be required when applicable placard threshold quantities are exceeded.

An Emergency Information Panel (EIP) is a separate dangerous goods information panel used in situations covered by the ADG Code, particularly in connection with dangerous goods transport.

PPE and emergency signs can then help workers locate relevant protective equipment and emergency facilities.

Chemical Storage Signs from K2K Signs

K2K Signs Australia supplies chemical storage signs, hazardous chemical warning signs, GHS signage, HAZCHEM placards, hazardous chemical placards, restricted-access signs, PPE signs and emergency safety signage for Australian workplaces.

Whether you need a sign to identify a chemical storage area, warn workers about a specific hazard, control access or identify safety equipment, choosing the right signage helps keep important safety information clear and visible.

If you're unsure which signage or placarding requirements apply to your site, confirm the relevant WHS and dangerous goods requirements before ordering.

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