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When essential floor markings are missing, faded, or applied incorrectly, there's a higher likelihood of safety risks. There's also the problem of regulatory penalties and potential liability if an incident occurs.

This article explains the key Australian standards governing commercial line marking, why proper surface preparation is necessary, and how to avoid common line marking compliance pitfalls. 

Key Takeaways

• Line marking compliance in Australia is a strategy for WHS risk management
• The AS 1318, AS 2890, and AS 4586 guide colour coding, parking layouts, and slip resistance requirements, respectively
• Surface preparation affects how long a line marking coating lasts.
• Expert application with regular inspections helps businesses maintain compliance

Australian Standards for Commercial Line Marking

Clear line markings guide vehicle movement, separate pedestrians from traffic, and delineate critical safety zones in warehouses, car parks, or factories.

Australian standards provide guidelines for commercial line marking to help workplaces streamline color usage, traffic flow design, and surface safety. We'll explore the relevant standards below.

1. AS 1318 (Colour Coding)

The AS 1318 defines the safety colour system used across industrial workplaces. Each colour represents a specific safety message, which helps staff and visitors better recognise hazards or safety instructions. 

The colour code is as follows:

• Yellow: Indicates the need for caution in traffic lanes, forklift routes, and areas with fall risks
• White: Used alone or with yellow to separate and direct traffic on pedestrian walkways
• Red: Highlights restricted zones and the location of emergency controls or equipment
• Green: Indicates safe conditions like exit routes and first aid stations
• Blue: Defines a need for specific instructions or required mandatory actions

2. AS/NZS 2890 (Parking Area)

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AS/NZS 2890 governs the design of parking facilities in Australia. It provides guidance on:

• Parking bay dimensions
• Aisle widths
• Directional arrows and traffic flow
• Accessible parking layouts

For compliance and safe manoeuvring, standard parking bays for small cars are at least 2.3 metres wide. For regular cars, aisle widths range from 3.1 to 6.2m, depending on the layout and parking angle.

For example, a two-way aisle for 90-degree parking should measure up to 6 metres so that vehicles can turn safely without obstruction. Any facility that tries to use line marking to squeeze in additional spaces by reducing aisle widths is likely to fail compliance checks.  

3. AS 4586 (Slip Resistance)

Paint applied to smooth concrete floors can create slip hazards when wet. Slip resistance is an important safety factor after line marking in pedestrian areas. 

AS 4586 defines tests and systems to classify the slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces. To prevent incidents, painted lines in high-risk areas must follow guidelines for slip resistance compliance.

You can pair line marking paint with non-slip coatings, or use premium line marking products like Stellmann's Aqualine PU Pro, which provides a non-slip finish. 

4. WHS Act and WHS Regulations 2017

Line marking compliance in Australia includes meeting workplace obligations under the WHS Act. PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) must manage risks associated with mobile plant, such as forklifts. 

The person must ensure that the plant does not collide with pedestrians or other powered mobile plant…if there is a possibility of collision, the person must ensure that the plant has a warning device to alert persons who may be at risk from its movement.

— pg126, WHS Regulation 2017.

You can use line marking to indicate caution and clearly separate pedestrian areas from vehicle routes. For compliance, use line marking for warehouses to create:

• Pedestrian walkways at least 1 metre wide
• Forklift lanes wider than the loads being transported

Surface Preparation for Good Line Marking

Even the best coatings cannot make up for a surface's shortcomings. Often, line marking coatings fail because the surface contains contaminants or paint layers that interfere with adhesion.

4 Steps to Surface Preparation

Surface preparation is a critical stage of the line marking process. Here's what to do for the best results:

Surface Cleaning 

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Clean the surface thoroughly with pressure washing or industrial cleaning equipment before applying any paint. Make sure your process removes:

• Oil and grease
• Dirt and dust
• Old paint residues
• Chemical contaminants

Damage Repair

Repair cracks, potholes, and other surface faults before installing line markings. If you just paint over damaged floors, it can cause uneven lines and weak adhesion, so the coating breaks apart over time.

Surface Priming

Some surfaces (e.g., sealed concrete) need a primer to help them bond properly with line marking paint or other substrates.

Drying

Line marking paint will not stick to wet surfaces. Take weather conditions (rain and humidity) into account for outdoor projects, and ensure the surface dries completely after cleaning.

Surface Preparation for Concrete

Newly laid, very smooth, or polished concrete floors may require mechanical preparation, such as grinding or shot blasting. These techniques texturise the surface to improve adhesion with polyurethane coatings.

Our product guides outline how to apply Stellmann non-slip coatings. New concrete must cure for a minimum of 28 days before fresh applications, and surfaces may require preparation by mechanical grinding, etching, or other methods.

Surface Preparation for Asphalt and Bitumen

To avoid peeling and premature wear, asphalt surfaces must fully cure before you apply line markings. Fresh asphalt can release oils that interfere with paint adhesion.

Manufacturer's guides will walk you through preparing your specific floor type for line marking. 

Common Pitfalls in Line Marking Compliance Australia

If you don't understand the national standards or skip key preparation steps, you might make mistakes regarding line marking compliance in Australia. Some include:

1. Skipping or botching anti-slip protection
2. Incorrect use of color codes
3. Ignoring local council regulations and updates
4. Undersized bays
5. Slim or narrow aisle widths

Best Practices for Line Marking Compliance

Most compliance issues can be prevented through proper planning and professional application. Here's what to do:

1. Get experienced applicators familiar with current Australian standards
2. Keep up with relevant standards and references yourself
3. Schedule regular maintenance and be the first to learn when a touchup is due
4. Prepare surfaces thoroughly to improve coating adhesion

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are line markings just for guidance?

No, they're not. In many workplaces, they're part of broader safety controls used to manage traffic risks. WHS regulations require businesses to manage interactions between pedestrians and vehicles; line marking is a common method for doing so.

2. What colour lines are required in Australian warehouses?

Under AS 1318, the common safety colour lines your facility needs include:

• Yellow for traffic lanes and caution zones
• White for separating pedestrian walkways
• Red for restricted areas and emergency equipment
• Green for safety equipment and exits
• Blue for areas with mandatory instruction

3. What are the Australian standards for line marking?

The major standards influencing line marking include AS 1318 for colour coding, AS/NZS 2890 for parking area design, and AS 4586 for slip resistance classification.

Conclusion

Achieving line marking compliance in Australia is more than just applying paint to the floor. Businesses must understand the relevant standards, use the correct colour sequences, and ensure pedestrian and vehicle routes are clearly defined.

However, even the most carefully planned layout will fail if coatings are applied to poorly prepared surfaces. The combination of preparedness and high-quality coatings creates safer workplaces. 

Contact Stellmann today for Aqualine PU Pro line-marking paint, CSIRO certified to AS 4586 slip ratings.