Hazard Warning Signs and Labels

The standard shipping symbols (see Section App. 3.4) are customarily used by most chemical manufacturers to identify the hazards of their products. In the United States these symbols are not mandated by any regulations although the specific hazard(s) of each substance must be identified (see Chapter 18). There are particular requirements for labeling carcinogenic materials and for identifying laboratories where carcinogens are handled and stored. 

POTENTIAL CANCER HAZARD (U.S. National Institutes of Health Guidelines) 

CANCER SUSPECT AGENT (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards) 

The label may also contain additional information about handling precautions and special storage directions if required. 

Hazard warning signs for radioactive materials closely correspond in usage to biohazard and chemical hazard signs. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has established three levels of warning based upon the expected radiation exposure of a worker in the laboratory (20 CFR 202-204)  

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Your employer is required to post warning signs and labels for your protection. Signs must be posted in regulated areas. The signs must warn that a cancer hazard is present, that only authorized employees may enter the area, and that no smoking or eating is allowed, and that respirators must be worn. 

There are two model standards as part of the policy one for an Emergency Temporary Standard, and the other for a Permanent Standard. These standards contain provisions for signs and labels to warn employees of the hazard for Category I potential carcinogens. 

Hazard warning signs identify the hazards of various substances and are required to be included as part of the labelling of hazardous substances. See Sections 11.2 11.3 and 11.4. 

All packaged dangerous substances are required by CPL to be labelled with a label that includes a hazard warning sign, an indication of the various risks and the necessary first aid treatment if contact occurs. However, these labelling requirements are complex and to ensure compliance the detailed regulations need to be studied. 

Unsafe practices in workplace, such as smoking (especially a problem with visitors)—need a better employee training program and hazard warning signs. Chemicals not properly labeled. 

Laboratory corridor doors shall display approved CAUTION door signs. Emergency telephone numbers of emergency personnel/facilities, supervisors, and laboratory workers should be posted by a central phone. Areas where hazardous materials are stored should be posted with proper hazard warning signs. All chemicals and other materials shall be labeled according to regulations (i.e., MSDS). 

Signs and labels used to warn of potential hazards. 

Provide appropriate signs and labels to warn of and identify asbestos hazards. 

Post appropriate hydrogen labels to equipment and warning signs in hazardous area and do not allow entry of any but qualified, trained personnel into the area. 

This proposal draws on the DOT and NFPA concepts that utilize signs or label shapes with fixed colors for various hazard classes. The ASTM proposal uses the three LAPI signal words, Danger , Warning , and Caution to represent level of hazard, but in a change from other systems also uses color to indicate level of hazard. This system, thus, reinforces level of hazard by fixed shape, word and color. 

Warning signs, labels, and instmctions have been partially effective. Warning systems are reactionary. They alert persons only after the development of a situation for which a hazard s potential is in the process of being realized (e.g., the smoke alarm in a house). Warning system effectiveness relies considerably on training, the quality of maintenance, and people reactions. 

To avoid or minimise accidents in the chemical laboratory, such as fires and explosions, and to ensure that students and staff are not exposed to odier health hazards, they should be aware of the risks involved in handling chemicals and in carrying out reactions. In addition, they should know the measures required to deal widi hazardous situations. They should be familiar with the use and situation of fire extinguishers, protective blankets, eye wash facility, first aid box, as well as evacuation procedure in case of fire or explosion. Chemicals manufacturers are obliged by law to label all hazardous chemicals with a warning sign to indicate the type of hazard. When chemicals are dispensed in containers other than those supplied by manufacture, these containers should be also clearly labelled for the possible hazards. 

Chemicals — storage, handling, transportation, spills, disposals, amounts used, labeling, toxicity or other harmful effects, warning signs, supervision, training, protective clothing and equipment, hazard communication requirements. 

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