Watch for signs serve as a general reminder to remain alert and responsive to safety instructions or changing conditions ahead. Common in New Zealand roadways, work zones, and shared spaces, they encourage proactive awareness. Their function complements the broader goals of safety & warning signage across various settings.
Watch For Signs – New Zealand’s Specialists in High-Visibility Hazard Awareness Signage
When work sites, public areas, facilities and transport zones need to communicate immediate hazards or changing environmental conditions, Watch For Signs are among the most essential visual tools you can deploy. These highly recognisable yellow hazard-warning signs serve as early alerts — prompting people to slow down, stay aware, and take precautionary actions that prevent incidents and protect property, vehicles, equipment, and most importantly, people.
At Emmjay Safety Sign Factory, we supply New Zealand’s largest online range of Watch For Signs, including:
• Watch for Forklifts
• Watch for Trucks / Heavy Vehicles
• Watch for Pedestrians
• Watch for Cyclists / Watch for Children
• Watch for Farm Machinery
• Watch for Stock / Livestock on Road
• Watch for Trains / Railway Crossings
• Watch for Falling Objects
• Watch for Machinery Operating
• Watch for Slips / Uneven Ground / Wet Floors
• Watch for Overhead Loads
• Watch for Wildlife, and many more.
Whether you’re managing a warehouse, farm, construction site, logistics hub, commercial premises, public roadway, or industrial plant, you’ll find the exact hazard-watch signage solution required to remain compliant, visible, and safe.
Why Watch For Signs Are Critical to Your Safety System
Early-Warning Hazard Communication
Watch For Signs work by giving personnel, contractors, drivers, and pedestrians advance notice of hazards. This aligns with New Zealand’s expectations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, ensuring that PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) take “reasonably practicable steps” to warn people of risks.
Universal Symbol Recognition
Yellow hazard triangles and bold black pictograms communicate effectively even where language barriers, noise, or distractions exist. This makes use of Watch For Signs critical in diverse workplaces, public access routes, and mixed-traffic environments.
Reduced Incidents & Near-Misses
Correct placement of “Watch For” signage significantly reduces common risk events:
• forklift–pedestrian interactions
• vehicle–vehicle collisions
• slips, trips and falls
• machinery contact events
• wildlife or stock crossing risks
• falling-object hazards
• blind-corner and high-traffic zone incidents
Policy, Contractor & Visitor Alignment
Clear signage helps ensure that visitors, seasonal staff, contractors and delivery drivers instantly understand onsite risks — supporting safe traffic flow and meeting internal safety protocols.
Why Choose Emmjay for Watch For Signs
New Zealand’s Largest Online Range
We offer the country’s most extensive catalogue of hazard awareness signs, including all standard AS/NZS-aligned designs plus custom Watch For variations for specialised industries (forestry, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, transport, civil works, utilities and more).
Premium Durability – 5-Year UV Laminate Included Free
Every Emmjay sign and sticker is supplied with a 5-year outdoor UV protective laminate — at no extra cost.
This makes our signage extremely durable in NZ’s harsh outdoor climate (sun, salt, temperature fluctuation, wind, moisture).
Specialists in Large Safety Signage
We are New Zealand’s experts in large-format hazard signage, with oversized options for long-view distance requirements such as:
• warehouse drive-lanes
• farm & forestry tracks
• logistics yards
• public road edges
• heavy vehicle routes
High-Tak Self-Adhesive Vinyl Available for All Watch For Signs
Perfect for rough, low-energy, or uneven surfaces such as concrete, machinery panels, brick, drums, or textured substrates.
Nationwide Delivery – Flat Fee or Free Over $100
Order from anywhere in New Zealand — urban, rural or remote — and receive straightforward freight pricing or free delivery on qualifying orders.
Bulk Order Pricing
Ideal for roll-outs across multiple facilities, campuses, or national operations. Enquire for volume discounts.
Emmjay: NZ’s Only Safety Sign Company Supporting Reforestation & Sustainability
We’re proud to be the only safety sign company in New Zealand actively contributing to reforestation through our One Tree Planted donations.
Every qualifying order helps support ecological restoration across Aotearoa.
Learn more here: https://emmjay.co.nz/eco-news/
By choosing Emmjay, you’re not only improving safety — you’re also helping regenerate native forests and offset environmental impact.
Safety + Sustainability: a better way forward.
Where Watch For Signs Are Essential
Warehouses & Distribution Centres
- Watch for forklifts
• Watch for pedestrians
• Watch for heavy vehicles
• Watch for falling objects
• Watch for pallet movement
Construction Sites & Infrastructure Projects
- Watch for machinery
• Watch for excavators / diggers
• Watch for cranes & overhead loads
• Watch for uneven ground
• Watch for high-traffic zones
Farming, Agriculture & Rural Roads
- Watch for stock
• Watch for farm vehicles
• Watch for quads / side-by-sides
• Watch for wildlife
• Watch for chemical areas
Transport, Civil & Public Environments
- Watch for cyclists
• Watch for children
• Watch for pedestrians
• Watch for trains
• Watch for slippery surfaces
Manufacturing, Workshops & Industrial Plants
- Watch for machinery operating
• Watch for noise hazards
• Watch for hot surfaces
• Watch for robotic arms or automated equipment
How to Choose the Right Watch For Sign
- Consider Viewing Distance
Standard small signage is ideal for indoor environments, but large-format signage (600 × 450 mm or larger) is best for warehouses, yards, and road-edge placement.
- Choose Substrate Based on Environment
- ACM (Aluminium Composite) – premium outdoor option, extremely rigid
• PVC – durable indoor/outdoor option
• Corflute – cost-effective for temporary use
• High-tak vinyl – ideal for vehicles, machinery or rough surfaces
- Use Pictograms for Fast Recognition
Symbols outperform text-only signs in high-movement environments.
- Consider Customisation
Add your logo, site instructions, or directional arrows. Custom wording is available for any Watch For Sign.
Compliance & Best-Practice Guidance
Although many Watch For Signs are not tied to a single piece of legislation, they directly support obligations under:
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
PCBUs must eliminate or minimise risks and ensure hazards are communicated clearly.
WorkSafe New Zealand Guidance
WorkSafe notes that workplace hazard signage must be:
• clearly visible
• easy to understand
• placed where people can see them before entering a hazard zone
• durable and appropriate for the environment
Helpful references:
- WorkSafe NZ – Hazard & Risk Signage Guidance
https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/hazardous-substances/hazardous-substances-signage/ - Worksafe: Understanding Workplace Risks
https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/managing-risks/ - New Zealand Legislation – Health and Safety at Work Act
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2015/0070/latest/ - ACC – Injury Prevention Information
https://www.acc.co.nz/preventing-injury/ - NZTA Waka Kotahi – Roadside Warning Signage Guidelines (useful for outdoor Watch For applications)
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/
FAQs – Watch For Signs
Q: Are Watch For Signs mandatory?
While not tied to a single mandatory standard, they support legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, which requires clear communication of hazards. Watch For Signs are considered best practice in any environment where moving vehicles, equipment or pedestrians interact.
Q: What size Watch For Sign should I use?
Indoor areas may only need 300 × 225 mm, but warehouses, civil sites and road edges typically use 450 × 337 mm or 600 × 450 mm for long-distance visibility.
Q: Can I get customised Watch For Signs?
Yes — we can customise pictograms, wording, layout, colours and sizes. Add your company logo or site-specific instructions for enhanced clarity.
Q: Are your signs suitable for outdoor use?
Absolutely. Every Emmjay sign includes a 5-year UV laminate, plus outdoor-grade materials such as ACM or weather-resistant PVC.
Q: Do you offer bulk discounts?
Yes — bulk and repeat-order pricing is available. Contact us for a quote.
Q: Do you ship nationwide?
Yes — we deliver New Zealand-wide with a flat freight rate or free shipping on orders over $100.
Get Your Watch For Signs Today
Explore our complete range of Watch For Signs to increase safety visibility, reduce incidents, and meet your workplace risk-management obligations. With New Zealand’s largest range, premium durability, fast nationwide shipping, and sustainable practices, Emmjay Safety Sign Factory is the clear choice for professional hazard-warning signage.
Emmjay, helping you to meet your health and safety obligations
