Laboratory safety symbols Flashcards
Laboratory safety symbols
are standardized icons or signs used in laboratories to communicate potential hazards and safety precautions to those working in or around the lab
General warning
Presence of possibly hazardous materials/environment
Biological Hazard symbols in the lab
represent biological substances that have the potential to negatively affect human health or the health of any living beings.
Health Hazard
Presence of chemical, physical, or biological factors with the potential to have a negative effect on our health.
BSL 1
Low risk to personnel and environment
BSL 2
Moderate risk to personnel and environment
BSL 3
Serious disease for human, animal, plant (not spread by casual contact)
BSL 4
Very serious disease for human, animal, plant (often untreatable)
Poison/poisonous materials
Presence of toxic materials. Ex. Silver chloride, Cadmium sulfate, Mercury acetate, Barium carbonate, Lead acetate
Carcinogenic
presence of carcinogenic materials. Ex. asbestos, nickel, cadmium, radon, vinyl chloride, benzidene, and benzene
Corrosive material hazard
presence of corrosive substances. Ex. Bromine, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide are examples of highly corrosive liquids.
Harmful irritants
presence of harmful chemicals causing irritations. Ex. Chloroform: A volatile solvent that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs, Corrosive Gases: Gases like Ammonia and Hydrogen chloride can cause severe irritation and bodily injury
Physical material hazard symbols in the lab
These symbols represent the presence of a specific substance, condition, or factor with the potential to harm humans or any other living objects in contact with them. Physical hazards may be physical conditions like heat, cold, pressure, vibration, etc., sound, radiation, and electricity.
High voltage
Supply of high-voltage electricity
Electric hazard
Risk of getting electric shock. (The device might give mild to severe electric shock.)
Cytogenic hazard
Low-temperature zone
Flammable material
Presence of combustible materials (a substance that can easily burn)
Explosive material
Presence of explosive and/or self-reactive substances
Hot surface
Risk of burning if you touch with naked hands
Ionizing radiation hazard
Presence of radioactive materials emitting ionizing radiation or the presence of electromagnetic waves having the capacity to ionize an atom
Non-ionizing radiation hazard
Presence of electromagnetic waves that don’t have ionizing capacity but have the capacity to excite electrons (UV light)
Entry/working requirement symbols in the lab
These symbols indicate what must be done before entering or working in the zone. They indicate what personal protective equipment must be used by personnel intending to do a specific job in a particular area
Different stations symbols in the lab
These symbols specify a location/station where a specific task is expected to be performed.
Location symbols of a specific object in the lab
These symbols indicate the location of specific materials/devices for use on specific occasions. It includes first aid boxes, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, alarm systems, etc
Prohibition symbols in the lab
These symbols indicate what actions or objects are not permitted to do or carried within the specific area. These symbols are usually a figure crossed with a red mark.
