Lab safety symbols include representations of safety equipment used in the laboratory. Since a laboratory is an extensive research site, there are many chemicals, radioactive substances, glass, sharp and pointed instruments, and flammable objects. People working in the labs must use safety equipment, lab safety measures, and hazard control and management. Lab safety measures include PPE, laboratory safety signs, preventive measures, and equipment.
1. What Are Lab Safety Symbols
Lab safety symbols are very important for the safety of people and lab equipment, and instruments. There are two different perspectives of lab safety.
One is to understand all the potential hazards and dangers in the lab settings. For example, there may be radioactive substances in some labs, dangerous chemicals, fire hazards, and sharp and pointed instruments. Lab safety symbols in this domain include the warning signs, and everyone working in the lab must understand these warning and instruction symbols. This is as important as traffic signs are important for anyone driving on the road.
The second domain is the safety measures and coping strategy in case of an accident. This domain includes wearing personal protection equipment, gloves, eye safety wear, first aid kits, first aid training, etc.
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2. Lab Safety Symbols Explained
2.1 Fire Safety Symbols
Fire safety symbols support people's safety in case of a fire accident. Also, the firefighters and emergency teams can find their way and devise a better fire safety plan. These symbols include fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fire blankets, etc. let us see the details.
Fire Extinguisher: It is used to mention where the fire extinguisher is placed. It may also include the audit details of the extinguisher.
Flammable: It is highly used and critical in lab safety symbols because there are many flammable substances in labs. It is important to label flammable things for safety.
No Open Flames: It is used where any substances are placed that can catch fire easily. These substances include fuels, volatile liquids, and so on.
Fire Blanket: It is a piece of safety equipment that helps in controlling fire.
Fire Hose: It marks the place of the fire hose in the lab.
Oxidizing Material: Oxidizing materials can give oxygen to chemical substrates and flammable substances. Lab team must place oxidizing materials and flammable substances at a distance. Proper safety equipment is important while dealing with oxidizing materials.
2.2 Hazard Symbols
Hazard symbols are the lab safety symbols that show the presence of a material or equipment that is harmful. The most frequently used symbols are;
General Warning: The general warning symbol indicates potential risks and reminds the person dealing with it to use PPE and other safety precautions.
Biohazard: The "biohazard" symbol shows that this particular place deals with biological substances—for example, body secretions, bacteria, and samples.
Explosive Hazard: The "explosive material" warning indicates that materials that can explode are present here. These materials include aerosols and compressed gases and materials that may explode because of exposure to high heat or flame and mixing with other substances.
Harmful Irritant: Substances that can irritate the skin, eye or respiratory tract irritant, or narcotic.
Poison/Toxic Material: Examples of poison or toxic materials include ammonia, bleach, and battery acid. The extent of danger depends on the concentration of material, duration of exposure, and environmental conditions.
Toxic Gas: Inhaling these gases is a health hazard.
Noise Sign: It is a sign for quiet areas where noise must be controlled.
Corrosive Material Hazard: Corrosive materials hazard lab safety sign mentions the presence of materials that can destroy exposed body tissues, including skin, eyes, respiratory tract, digestive tract. It can also destroy metals.
High Voltage: It is a sign for high voltage current where caution must be taken.
Electrical Hazard: These signs indicate electrical hazards like concealed high voltage wires and equipment or buried cables etc.
Laser Beam Hazard: High-intensity focused laser beams can be dangerous for human eyes and skin.
Low-Temperature Warning Symbol: These symbols are for low temperature and cryogenic hazards. These substances are below freezing point and stored with chemicals like liquid nitrogen.
2.3 Radiation Hazard Symbols
Radiation Hazard Symbols warn about the radiations that may break chemical bonds. There are several potential health risks associated with exposure to such substances.
Ionizing Radiation Hazard: Ionizing radiation hazards include skin burns or acute radiation syndrome when radiations go beyond a certain level.
Non-Ionizing Radiation Hazard: Non-ionizing radiation hazards include ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, radiofrequency, and extremely low frequency (ELF).
IAEA Ionizing Radiation Hazard: It is usually placed on the device housing the radiation source to warn people not to take the device apart or get any closer.
2.4 First Aid Symbols
First aid symbols include the critical lab safety symbols that help quick and efficient first aid services in case of accidents or emergencies.
First Aid Station: It represents a station where first aid is available before proper medical care is provided.
AED or Defibrillator: It represents a device that is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
2.5 Physical Safety Symbols
Physical safety symbols provide lab staff access to the equipment they can use to keep themselves safe from hazards.
Breathing Masks: Breathing masks help the staff filter the airborne hazardous materials from the air and inhale clean oxygen.
Eyewash Station: Eyewash stations provide washing and first aid in case of any splash of hazardous liquid in the eyes or any other eye injury.
Food and Drink Prohibited: Food and drink prohibited signs are placed to provide safety in two domains. Exposed food can get contaminated with chemicals and other hazardous materials in the lab. Also, this lab safety symbol is helpful where the delicate sample may get infected with food particles.
Gloves Required: Gloves required for lab safety symbols are used in settings with potential risks of chemical burns, corrosion, allergic reactions, etc. It mentions that the gloves must be used before handling this stuff.
Safety Glasses: Potential eye safety hazards are present so use safety glasses.
Protective Clothing: Different types of Protective clothing may be required for radioactive hazards, bacteria and virus exposure, extreme temperatures, chemical exposures, and so on.
Boots Required: This lab safety symbol indicates that you need to use anti-slip, waterproof, and anti-static boots before entering this area.
No Pacemakers or Metallic Implants: This sign indicates that this area may contain strong magnetic fields, and any individuals with pacemakers or metallic implant devices should avoid working here. security
Conclusion
Lab safety symbols are not like other symbols; correctness and error-free drawing is critical because it saves lives and prevents accidents. The main categories of these symbols are fire safety, hazard, radiation hazard, first aid, and physical safety symbols. EdrawMax Online has a comprehensive library of lab safety symbols， science graphic organizer examples to help teachers, students, scientists, lab assistants, and other professionals to create diagrams with authentic safety symbols for the lab.
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