Laboratory Safety
Centre for Oncology and Immunology is committed to maintaining a safe work environment for our staff and visitors. To promote safety and environmental protection culture and awareness, the Centre provides laboratory door placards to be posted to the entryway to laboratories notifying staff and visitors of the hazards they may encounter in a laboratory space, information of special restrictions for the laboratory, the presence of certain safety equipment, as well as emergency contact information. These laboratory signages do not list every hazard associated with a laboratory, but focus on the hazards of highest concern within a given space. The laboratory door placards are designed to ensure a safe and environmentally healthy workplace, as well as to comply with regulations and best practices.
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Major Hazards
The following hazard alerting symbols detail the major hazards that may present in the laboratory room:
BIOLOGICAL HAZARD
Biological organisms/agents which present a hazard to human health or the environment, but are unlikely to cause disease in healthy workers.
INFECTIOUS AGENT
This Infectious Agent Warning Symbol warns the users of the presence of Biological organisms/agents in the laboratory which can cause human disease.
HOT SURFACE
This Hot Surface Warning Symbol warns the users that hot surfaces are present and contact should be avoided to prevent injury.
OPTICAL LIGHT
This Optical Light Warning Symbol suggests that optical radiation (such as UV, visible radiation, IR) is present. There is a presence of ultraviolet source in the spectral region between 180 and 400nm.
SHARP ELEMENT
This Sharp Element Warning Symbol warns the users of risks and dangers of crush injuries from operating equipment.
LOW TEMPERATURE/ FREEZING CONDITIONS
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This Low Temperature Warning Symbol warns the users of a potential low temperature/ freezing conditions hazard in the laboratory area.
PRESSURIZED CYLINDER
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Compressed and liquefied gases in cylinders can cause a physical hazard due to the pressure contained within them, as well as chemical hazards due to the individual chemicals that they contain.
SUDDEN LOUD NOISE
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This Sudden Loud Noise Symbol warns the users of potential loud noise, which could be damaging to your hearing.
ASPHYXIATING ATMOSPHERE
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An asphyxiant is a substance that can cause unconsciousness or death by asphyxiation. Potential threats against the safety and health of users include: suffocation arising from gas, fume, vapour, or the lack of oxygen.
FLAMMABLE LIQUID
This Flammable Liquid Warning Symbol warns the users of the storage or containment of Class 3 Flammable Liquid within a laboratory.
OXIDIZING SUBSTANCES
This Oxidizing Substances Warning Symbol warns the users of workplace dangers from chemical substances which undergo a chemical reaction with oxygen or affects other substances to be oxidized.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
This Toxic Substances Warning Symbol warns the users of of potentially hazardous materials in use.
CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES
This Corrosive Substances Symbol indicates the storage or containment of Class 8 Corrosive Substances within a laboratory. Corrosive may cause damage to skin, eyes, or will materially damage/ destroy other goods or surroundings.​
Prohibition
The following prohibition symbols convey actions that should not be taken in the laboratory room:
NO EATING OR DRINKING
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Do not eat or drink in work areas in the Laboratory.
NO UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY
Unauthorized personnel should be kept out of the restricted areas.
NO SANDALS AND SLIPPERS
Sandals and Slippers should not be worn because of the danger of spillage of corrosive or irritating chemicals.
NO RUNNING
Do not run, prank or play in the laboratory.
NO OPEN FLAME
Smoking and all forms of open flame are prohibited in the laboratory.
DO NOT EXTINGUISH WITH WATER
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Do not extinguish a fire with water as there may be a dangerous reaction from the application of water to a burning substance.
DO NOT EXPOSE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT OR HOT SURFACE
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Do not extinguish a fire with water as there may be a dangerous reaction from the application of water to a burning substance.
TIE UP LONG HAIR
Long hair should be tied back when working in the laboratory.
Mandatory Action
The following mandatory action symbols display actions that should be taken to avoid potential hazards.
WEAR EYE PROTECTION
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This Eye Protection Symbol acts as a clear visual reminder for the users to take extra precaution with their eyesight and to ensure that eye protection must be worn as part of the PPE requirements.
OPAQUE EYE PROTECTION MUST BE WORN
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Opaque eye protection is typically designed to protect against splashes and spills of chemicals, and the design may incorporate varying degrees of protection and ventilation as well as shapes to conform to a user's facial shape and features.
WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES
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This Protective Gloves Symbol is a visual reminder of the need to use PPE in the laboratory. Protective gloves are necessary to protect against a range of potential hazards to hands and fingers, including extreme temperatures, cuts, skin infections, etc.
WEAR LABORATORY COAT
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Laboratory coat should be worn to protect users from certain hazards and is typically designed with specific hazards in mind such as liquid corrosive or flash fires.
WASH YOUR HANDS
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Wash hands after work and before leaving the laboratory. Use disinfectants and detergents after handling suspected infectious exhibits.
ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
This Entry Restrictions Symbol to signify a mandatory action.
WEAR A FACE SHIELD
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Face shields can be designed to provide protection against projectiles, splashes, or both. They are typically used where no contact between skin, eyes, nose, or mouth are desired and vapor or gaseous exposure are not of concern.