Lab Symbols Every Technician Should Know
Posted by Clarion Safety Systems | 2nd Sep 2021
In any lab setting, the highest priority must always be safety. Of course, it’s no secret that lab workers often are faced with dangerous tasks and the handling of lethal substances. Therefore, maintaining high precautionary standards is essential to keeping personnel safe at all times. At Clarion Safety, we understand that clear, concise, and compliant safety signs are the key to building a culture of safety in the lab.
Lab
Safety in Focus
Ensuring each worker’s familiarity with their lab’s safety symbols is critical
to daily operations, everyday safety and even cost efficiency. Volatile chemicals, flammable/combustible materials,
hazardous tools and lethal specimens are just a few of the dangerous things
that countless labs can be housing at any time.
The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to laboratories is that the message you are trying to convey is easily understood, which is why we’re providing a breakdown of some of the most common and useful lab safety symbols and signs.
#1: General Danger
This is the most common safety symbol that can be found in
countless labs around the world. The general danger symbol is essentially a way
to alert any personnel, clients, vendors, or visitors of potential hazards in
the area. These warning symbols can be placed on doors, walls, cupboards, and
above doorways.
Whenever one sees this symbol, it should be considered as a reminder to proceed cautiously and conscientiously. Maintain vigilance, remain observant to your surroundings and respect the potential danger of the room as well as everyone’s safety.
#2: Biohazard
The biological hazard warning symbol is an indication that
the lab and instruments within have had contact with biohazard specimens.
Therefore, there’s a risk of contamination. Lab biosafety levels will
also be in place to indicate the level of risk associated with the lab.
Make sure anyone in the lab is always wearing the right personal protective equipment (PPE). Depending on the biosafety level, this can mean gloves, goggles, or even a full protective suit. Always be sure to clean, disinfect and decontaminate the instruments. Also, make sure there are specific rules in place to prevent contamination and keep workers safe.
#3: Eyewash Station
The eyewash station safety symbol – an image of an eye above
running water coming out of a shower head, along with a first aid cross –
indicates the location of an eyewash station. Eye wash stations provide a
continuous, low-pressure stream of aerated water in laboratories in which
chemical or biological agents are used or stored and in facilities where
nonhuman primates are handled. The eyewash station should be easily accessible
from any part of the laboratory and, if possible, located near the safety
shower so that, if necessary, the eyes can be washed while the body
is showered.
#4: Explosive
Materials
Obviously, every lab symbol should never be taken lightly.
However, should you ever spot this one, consider it of severe importance.
The explosive materials warning
symbol indicates that there are chemicals or other agents with explosive
properties present within the lab. In addition, this may include dangerous
chemical reactions from unstable explosives or combustibles.
Each and every lab worker should memorize the respective safety protocol, and be sure to implement stringent policies with specific reference to fire and explosion safety. Incorporate mandatory, routine storage verification – keeping everyone accountable for storing all chemicals safely and securely.
#5: Flammable
Materials
When a lab adheres this symbol to their door, walls, or
storage areas, it means they’re regularly handling flammable materials.
Be sure that employees store each substance in a location with stable temperatures under constant control. In addition, check that each one has correct, legible labels. Common flammable materials in lab workspaces are solvents or even cleaning materials with harsher or more abrasive ingredients. Keep all of these substances away from extreme heat, open flame or any other agent that may cause them to ignite.
#6: Oxidant
Materials
The symbol for oxidant materials warns of the presence of
chemicals that readily give off oxygen or other oxidizing substances, and the
need to take care when in the vicinity. Oxidizing materials may intensify fires
and cause explosions, and also may be toxic or corrosive. Although air is the
usual source of oxygen for burning, oxidizing materials can support a fire even
in the absence of air. Some common oxidizing liquids and solids found in
laboratories are bromine, chlorates, nitrates, perchloric acid, and peroxides.
#7: Toxic Materials
This warning symbol means to take care to avoid coming into
contact with nearby toxic, potentially lethal substances. They can harm you if
ingested, inhaled, or even if they make direct contact with skin.
Each agent’s toxicity varies depending on what it is. Also, it depends on precisely where it makes contact and its concentration. Naturally, anyone in the lab should always have the appropriate gear within reach when handling these substances. Whether it’s gloves, goggles or respirators, staff should always have the necessary PPE and have safety protocol memorized.
#8: Non-Ionizing
Radiation
The non-ionizing radiation warning symbol
is an indication that the lab regularly utilizes non-ionizing radiation, and
that exposure needs to be avoided. Essentially, this includes ultraviolet
light, infrared, microwave, and radio frequency.
If any of these apply to your lab, be sure to have all sources properly marked. Biological safety cabinets, PPE, and environmental controls can limit exposure.
#9: Low Temperature
This warning symbol is a clear indication of the presence
and need to avoid exposure to extreme low temperatures, freezing conditions, or
cryogenic hazards. Specific equipment, like ultra low freezer temperatures is
well below freezing point. This kind of equipment employs liquid nitrogen to
reach their extremely low temperatures. Nowadays, with COVID-19 and the
rapid development of vaccines, critically low-temperatures are present in more
labs and clinics than ever before. The COVID-19 vaccination requires extremely
low storage temperatures that only ultra-low temperature freezers are capable
of. In the event of failure, the vaccines and anything else requiring
these temperatures will lose their efficacy and are, essentially, worthless.
When it comes to handling extremely low temperatures, personal protective equipment is a must. Wear thick rubber gloves that extend to the elbows, closed-toe footwear, rubber aprons and face shields.
#10: Implanted
Cardiac Devices
This prohibition symbol – which uses a
heart shape and representation of a pulse generator – is used to warn lab staff
or visitors that they need to avoid entering certain areas if they have an
active implanted cardiac device or pacemaker. This is due to a strong magnetic
field hazard, caused by lab instruments that use superconducting magnets such
as nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers (NMR). Staff with implanted cardiac
devices can’t work in such areas of the lab. Additionally, in these conditions,
care must be taken to remove metal objects such as jewelry, watches, loose
change, etc. before entering these areas, in order to prevent injuries.
Experience That Matters
When it comes to your laboratory workplace safety measures, consider the efficacy
of your warnings by making sure to use best practice signs – ones that employ
the use of the latest, standardized symbols and that consider sign material (in
line with the environment at hand to ensure legibility and durability.) Reach out to us here at Clarion Safety Systems for
more laboratory and equipment safety insight – including how we can help
create custom labels, signs and tags in line with your injury and illness
prevention program. Keep in mind that we offer a variety of signs and labels specific
to the healthcare industry,
as well as customization related to symbols and site-specific
signage, including custom
lab door signs.