Barricade Tapes & Asbestos Bags

Barricade tapes & asbestos bags

Barricade tape is the cheapest, fastest way to mark an exclusion zone on a site — the visual shorthand that says "don't cross this line." Getting the colour right matters: each colour maps to a specific hazard class under the AS 1319 safety signage convention. Asbestos work has its own specialised tape and disposal-bag requirements under AS 2601.

Tape colour coding

• Red / white striped — general danger, do not cross. The default hazard tape.
• Yellow / black striped — caution, stand-off required. Used for machinery exclusion, trip hazards, and temporary obstructions.
• Red "DANGER" — solid red with bold black text for high-risk exclusions.
• Yellow "CAUTION" — solid yellow with black text for lower-level hazards.
• Blue "UNDERGROUND SERVICES" — marks buried telecommunications, water, gas.
• Asbestos-specific — purpose-printed with the word "ASBESTOS" and the hazard symbol, red/white ground.

Construction and durability

Standard barricade tape is 75 mm wide polyethylene, printed with the hazard legend. For outdoor use over multiple days, specify UV-stabilised tape — untreated tape fades significantly within a week in direct Australian sun. For windy sites, look for reinforced tape or switch to rigid barrier mesh.

Asbestos waste bags

AS 2601 requires asbestos waste to be double-bagged in purpose-marked heavy-gauge polyethylene bags with clear "ASBESTOS" labelling. Standard bag weight is 200 μm minimum; typical size 1200 × 900 mm. Bags are colour-coded clear or opaque depending on regional requirements — check with your local waste-disposal authority.

Typical deployment

Run barricade tape at 1.0–1.2 m height for pedestrian visibility. On active sites, refresh daily — sagging or broken tape is ignored and provides no actual exclusion. For long-term exclusion, switch to barrier mesh.

Standards & compliance

Colour-coding follows AS 1319 (safety signs for the occupational environment). Asbestos bags comply with AS 2601 and the state-specific EPA waste transport requirements. Tape itself isn't certification-marked but should carry a legible printed legend.

Frequently asked questions

How long does barricade tape survive outdoors?

Untreated polyethylene: 1–2 weeks in direct sun before fading. UV-stabilised tape: 4–8 weeks. For anything longer-term, use rigid barrier mesh with star pickets.

Can I reuse asbestos waste bags?

No — asbestos waste bags are single-use and must be sealed and disposed of through licensed asbestos waste facilities. Reuse is a notifiable offence.

What tape colour should I use for live electrical work?

Red/white "DANGER" tape combined with specific electrical-hazard signage. Many sites also use yellow/black as a supplementary stand-off ring outside the live zone.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts get 5% off RRP. Asbestos bags and tapes are typically ordered in carton quantities with project-level pricing available. Apply for a trade account →