Most sign problems are noticed the same way: someone's walking the site with a checklist and they spot something that's missing, damaged, or just doesn't match what's actually happening on site anymore. A short walkthrough before your next audit catches most of it.
What to look for
- Missing signs: hazards or restricted areas with no signage at all
- Faded or damaged signs: still up, but hard to read from a normal distance
- Blocked signs: stock, equipment, or vehicles sitting in front of something important
- Outdated wording: signs that reference a process, contact, or hazard that's changed
- Inconsistent PPE requirements: different signs saying different things about the same area
- Emergency signage that's hard to find: exits, assembly points, or first aid stations that aren't obvious at a glance
Turning the walkthrough into an order
Walk the site with the list above and note what needs attention as you go. Most of what turns up will be a straightforward replacement or addition rather than anything complicated, so you can usually order directly from our standard range.
If something's specific to your site (custom wording, an unusual layout, a hazard that doesn't fit a standard sign) flag it and we'll help you sort out the right option.
A bit more detail
Signs work alongside the physical and procedural controls you've already got in place. They communicate hazards, instructions, and access requirements, but they're not a substitute for the underlying controls themselves. If the walkthrough turns up something bigger than a sign, like a physical hazard that needs fixing, that's worth flagging to whoever manages that side of your WHS system.
For most sites, though, this list covers the bulk of what turns up in an audit. Work through it once, replace what needs replacing, and you're in a much stronger position for the next inspection.