Occupational health and safety signage should be used whenever the analysis of existing risks, foreseeable emergency situations and preventive measures taken, shows the need for:
a) To draw the attention of workers to the existence of certain risks, prohibitions or obligations.
(b) Alert workers in the event of a specific emergency situation requiring urgent protective or evacuation measures.
(c) facilitate the location and identification by workers of certain means or facilities for protection, evacuation, emergency or first aid.
(d) directing or guiding workers engaged in dangerous manoeuvres.
Signage is a complement to any measure put in place, it does not eliminate the risk, but in research facilities it is an essential tool to ensure the safety of users. Its main purpose is to alert staff to specific hazards, obligations or prohibitions that may be encountered in the working environment.
Signal awareness and knowledge are key elements in maintaining a safe working environment in research facilities. It is vitally important that laboratory personnel are diligent in observing the signs and know what they mean, as this will enable them to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and others.
Index:
Biological risk signal
The biological risk signal, known internationally as biohazard, is intended to warn of the possibility of exposure to biological agents that could endanger human health or the environment. According to the relevant regulations, the signpost must be located at the following points:
- At the access doors of premises where biological agents classified as group 2 or higher are handled. Only authorised personnel will have access to these areas. The sign must be complemented with other information such as: the level of containment required for the premises, the name of the biosafety officer and emergency telephone numbers.
- In samples and containers containing biohazardous materials that have to be transported outside the work centre.
- To the recipients for transporting samples within the work centre.
- In equipment (e.g. centrifuges, freezers) located outside a marked room, when used exceptionally with Group 2 biological agents.
- In recipients of biohazardous waste.
Other signs
The biohazard sign is not the only sign that can be found at research facilities; there are many others, such as warning, prohibition, obligation, etc. signs.
Annex III of Royal Decree 485/1997 is the basic source of information in this respect. You can also find more information on the OSSMA website in the document General safety standards for laboratories, or in the section Pictograms, to find out the meaning of the different hazard pictograms found on the labels of chemical agents.
Further information
- Technical Guide on Health and Safety Signs at Work. INSST; 2023.
- NTP 878: EU regulation on chemicals (II). CLP Regulation: the basics. INSST; 2010.
- NTP 880: EU regulation on chemicals (III). CLP Regulation: physical hazards. INSST; 2010.
- NTP 881: EU chemicals regulation (IV). CLP Regulation: health and environmental hazards. INSST; 2010.