Lab Hazard Warning Signs

A laboratory can be a particularly dangerous place, filled with hazards such as high voltage, poisonous substances, radiation and even biological wastes. Because of all the possible safety hazards, laboratories must have signs to inform people of the types of dangers and where those dangers are located within the lab.

Radiation Signs

• Many laboratories have radioactive isotopes or machines that create radiation, such as X-ray machines commonly found in medical or dental labs. These machines, the walls and the door to the laboratory should all have signs featuring the symbol for radiation—which resembles a three-bladed fan with a circle in the center—in addition to the word "radiation."

High Voltage

• While a lot of lab equipment doesn't require any sort of power input (such as beakers, flasks and pipettes), some lab equipment requires a great deal of electricity. Powerful microscopes, X-ray equipment and a variety of measuring devices all work on high voltage. Since electricity can pose a major danger in a laboratory, all machinery that functions off of high voltage must have appropriate signs that feature the words "high voltage" and the universally understood lightning bolt. The same is true of fuse boxes where electricity enters the lab.

Biohazard Signs

• Laboratories that work with culture samples, diseases, medical waste, blood and other human tissues should have biohazard signs present in all areas where samples are kept, as well as on the door. Biohazard signs should also be placed on medical waste containers and bags, such as those used to hold liposuctioned fat, used tongue depressors, used sample cups and kits, etc. The signs should feature the word "biohazard" as well as the symbol of three, incomplete circles facing outward from a complete circle in the center.