LEARNING THE LANGUAGE OF SAFETY: SIGNS, SYMBOLS, AND LABELS

Hazard recognition, an essential skill needed by every laboratory worker, is presented through the basics of understanding labels, signs, symbols, terms, and other sources of information.

A hazard is a possible source of danger, and our world holds many hazards. The point is that many things, including chemicals, that we use everyday have not only very substantial benefits but very real hazards. The positive side of these hazardous materials is that we can learn how to maximize the benefits while at the same time minimizing the hazards of these things by taking certain steps. When working in the laboratory, as in any other workplace, you will encounter chemicals or other materials or processes that just like the rest of the world have both benefits and hazards. Your safety and the safety of others depend on your developing the skill to recognize hazards and to manage, control,or minimize the risks of those hazards.

This section introduces some basics of recognizing hazards in the laboratory—the language of hazards. A laboratory is usually a very safe place to work. However, if you work in a laboratory, you are likely to encounter chemical, biologic, radiation, or physical hazards. This section focuses on recognizing chemical hazards, while other sections deal with other kinds of hazards.

Look at the Label! You should always examine the label to look for hazard information, and this information often comes in specific terms or symbols denoting the hazard or hazards of a chemical.

CLOTHES This symbol can be seen when using clothes or staining clothes. OPEN FLAME WARNING This symbol appears when a flame is used which may cause fire or explosion. SMOKE This symbol appears when chemical substances or chemical reactions cause dangerous smoke

GLOVES A warning sign reminding you to use gloves while running some chemical substances harmful to the skin. ELECTRICAL SAFETY This symbol appears when electrical appliances are used and need attention. FIRE SAFETY This symbol appears when an action is required around an open flame.

EYE SAFETY This symbol indicates that there is a danger to eyes EYE SAFETY This symbol indicates that there is a danger to eyes. Safety glasses should be worn when this symbol is visible. SECURITY OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS This symbol appears when sharp objects are in danger of cutting and piercing. BIOLOGICAL DANGER This symbol appears when the bacteria is a fungal or single-celled animal or plant danger.

HEAT SAFETY This sign is intended to remind you to take precautions during handling of hot objects. CHEMICAL SUBTITLE This symbol indicates that chemical substances with a burning or poisonous effect are used when touching the skin. RADIOACTIVE SAFETY This symbol appears when using radioactive substances.

PLANT SAFETY This symbol shows when the poisonous or barbed plants will be held. ANIMAL SAFETY This symbol appears when animals and student safety must be provided while working on live animals. SAVING USAGE WARNING This symbol appears when attention has to be paid to the proper use of the substance.

TOXIC MATERIAL WARNING This symbol appears when toxic substances are used. BREAKABLE GLASS WARNING This symbol indicates that the glass materials to be used in the experiments to be carried out are of the kind that can be broken.