You will see many signs and symbols throughout the laboratory and it is the job of everyone who enters to know exactly what they mean. The general warning symbol for laboratory safety consists of a black exclamation mark in a yellow triangle. As you might expect, this is a general warning to laboratory staff that there is a danger. This icon can be found on devices, doors, cabinets, or other areas of the lab. It is a good reminder to work safely and check if you are not sure about the safety procedures for certain equipment or areas of the laboratory. Compliance with standardized symbols allows for better collaboration between teams and helps bridge the gap between laboratories in different sectors or countries. Instead of being forced to learn an entirely new system every time they enter a new lab environment, technicians can rest assured that the same symbols will be used no matter where they work. This speeds up training and minimizes errors, accidents and injuries. If any of these points apply to your lab, make sure all sources are properly labeled. Biosafety cabinets, PPE and environmental controls can limit exposure. These laboratories should also implement the use of risk mitigation tools such as biosecurity cabinets, designed to remove airborne infectious agents during testing. Although each industry and laboratory has its own approach, one thing remains the same in all areas: safety symbols. In 2003, the United Nations established a standardized set of laboratory safety symbols, each represented by a single pictogram.

First aid kits should be manufactured to contain all first aid supplies prescribed by OSHA and should be sufficiently available to ensure the safety of all and laboratory personnel. The Laboratory Safety Shield for Corrosive Materials indicates the corrosive substances in the laboratory that can eat away at the skin if you come into direct contact with them. These materials must always be stored in the right cabinets in the right conditions of humidity and temperature. All employees handling corrosive substances must be properly trained and wear gloves, protective clothing and face protection. Laboratories are full of hazardous materials such as corrosive chemicals, biological samples and infectious agents, sharp tools and equipment, flammable materials, fragile glassware, and radioactive materials, to name a few. The safety of all laboratory personnel, facilities and the environment is paramount in all testing or research conditions, regardless of the nature of the hazards present in your laboratory. Accidents do happen, but that doesn`t mean you shouldn`t be fully prepared for the occasion. Eyewash stations should always be clearly marked and all laboratory staff should be aware of their general location. These can be standalone devices or integrated into a custom workshop. Eyewash stations are an integral part of any laboratory`s safety equipment and must always be kept in good condition in the event of an accidental spill or splash. Eyewash stations should be used immediately if a corrosive or otherwise harmful substance comes into contact with a person`s eyes.

The safety sign for the danger of ionizing radiation indicates the presence of ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is radiation that carries enough energy to release electrons from atoms or molecules and thus ionize them. Sources of ionizing radiation in the laboratory include X-ray machines, medical beam cannons, and particle accelerators. Any laboratory that possesses or uses radioactive isotopes must be authorized by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and/or a State agency approved by NRC, 10 CFR 31.11 and 10 CFR 35.12. Laboratories shall limit the entry of radionuclides into the human body to levels as low as reasonably achievable and always within established limits, and shall limit exposure to external radiation to levels within established dose limits and as far as reasonably practicable. A safety panel for the fire hose connection informs individuals of the position of the pipe fittings in their laboratory. These locations must be marked clearly and accurately so that they can be easily found. The safety best practice is to place a shield for the fire hose position on the actual equipment and then install directional versions of the fire hose tracking panel (pointing in the direction of the equipment) wherever people cannot see the location of a fire hose or its “Above Equipment” sign. At the other end of the spectrum, it`s also important to understand the safety issues associated with extremely cold temperatures. The -80°C freezer is the standard storage option for cDNA and glycerin stores, and how often do you use liquid nitrogen to freeze your samples? The “Biohazard” sign indicates that the laboratory and the instruments inside were in contact with Biohazard samples. Therefore, there is a risk of contamination. Biosafety levels in the laboratory will also be present to indicate the risk associated with the laboratory.

The facial protection security icon lets lab staff know that a large face shield, similar to the glass shield of a motorcycle helmet, must be worn during experiments that could cause an explosion inside the hood. Comprehensive face protection (and possibly neck protection from water splashes and/or shocks) is usually required for work on or in the presence of human pathogens, certain laboratory chemicals, explosion hazards, heavy grinding and heavy spraying or spraying, as well as large amounts (2 L and above) of hazardous liquids such as acids, bases and many body fluids. A face shield can also provide additional protection against extreme temperatures. Skin, eyes and combustible materials are at risk in the presence of laser beams, so employees and other laboratory personnel must wear protective clothing at all times during operation or in the presence of lasers. The “laser beam hazard” symbol helps remind staff of potential hazards and reduce the risk of fire by prioritizing safety. Hazard symbols are intended to indicate the presence of a material, substance or equipment likely to be harmful to human health. The laboratory`s biohazard safety label warns of laboratory equipment such as refrigerators or freezers that contains biohazardous materials or that may be contaminated with biodangereous materials such as blood samples. This mark also identifies entire areas of the laboratory that contain or are exposed to biological risks, for example, a laboratory that works with infectious agents. Workers should always wear the right PPE and follow the right procedures when working with such agents. Managers should also have an effective emergency exposure control plan.

Regular cleaning and decontamination of areas and equipment exposed to biological hazards is also essential. Optical radiation is another term for light that includes ultraviolet (UV) radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation. Safety signs for the risk of optical radiation warn of devices that produce this type of radiation in the laboratory, such as . B high-power lasers. When working with such hazards, appropriate glasses should always be worn. Especially for lasers, appropriate SOPs must be present, the beam path for the laser system must be included, and users must perform a physical examination of unwanted reflections before using the laser. The emergency meeting point sign indicates a safe place inside or outside the building where laboratory staff should meet in the event of an actual emergency (chemical spill, fire, etc.) or an emergency exercise. In their safety training, employees should be informed of the location of the emergency point or meeting point closest to their location if there are multiple meeting points. These sites should be large enough to accommodate all employees in the event of an evacuation.

It is always a good idea to have a backup meeting place in case the main place has been destroyed or is inaccessible due to the emergency. Stay safe: All sources of non-ionizing radiation must be clearly labelled. Exposure to non-ionizing radiation can be limited by personal protective equipment, engineering controls and biosafety cabinets. For example, the safety signs in the laboratory on the bottles will inform you about the properties of the product you want to use so that you can take appropriate precautions when using it. You can also use these panels to label bottles after developing a new solution to let others know what it is. If you need to work with radioactively labelled isotopes (for example. B if you want to use an EMSA), you usually should first ask your doctor if you are in a suitable condition for such work. Make sure you are fully informed about all the safety rules and the type of PPE you need to use to protect yourself and those you work with before entering these labs. Each laboratory employee must remember the respective safety protocol.

Calibrate your devices as often as possible. Also, be sure to implement strict guidelines with specific references to fire and explosion safety. Incorporate a mandatory and routine stock inspection – keep everyone responsible for the safe storage of all chemicals. As you might expect, the Hot Surface Safety Shield warns laboratory staff of the risk of burning hot surfaces. Such hazards can emanate from laboratory equipment such as laboratory furnaces and autoclaves, or from the building itself – if steam lines, etc. are present. . . .