Signs, warning laboratory hazards

It is important to keep the amount of potentially hazardous waste in the laboratory to a minimum at all times. Periodically, contents of the laboratory waste containers will be transferred to appropriate containers for final disposal. These must be stored in a safe location, often outdoors, while awaiting pick-up by a disposal service. There will be local restrictions for such storage. A locked storage area may be needed, for example, to prevent unauthorized access to hazardous materials. The fire department niiay set strict limits as to how much flammable material may be present. All containers must be marked with contents, and the storage area will no doubt require warning signs. 

Access to the laboratory is restricted to authorized persons. Hazard warning signs on access doors identify the names of personnel authorized to enter and the name(s) and telephone number(s) of person(s) responsible for the laboratory. 

Another form of communication is the use of hazard warning placards. The posting of placards or signs within a laboratory alerts the employees to safety and health concerns as well as rapid response in the event of accidents. 

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). 

Several useful appendices and other material follow the text. Appendix 1 contains information on how to treat spills Appendix 2, on the hazard characteristics of selected chemicals Appendix 3 shows appropriate warning signs Appendix 4 discusses requirements for shipping hazardous materials Appendix S contains information on resources for safety information and Appendix 6, on a suggested syllabus for a safety course. A glossary of important terms, a list of literature cited in the text, and, finally, a list of additional readings in safety and allied areas follow the append-ices.The topics included should allow the reader of this book to learn about the full scope of biomedical research safety and to apply that knowledge to the practice of safety in the biomedical research laboratory. 

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) ... 

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. 

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