Warning signs and emergency contact information up to date and posted on doors

Corrective actions:

Doors that require a laboratory door warning sign:

  • All lab doors entering the lab regardless of usage
  • Interior doors to side lab spaces and adjacent labs

All doors leading to the same room need to have the same hazard information. This covers the hazards in the room, not what an individual PI is working with within shared lab spaces.

Request door signs from the EHS Safety Portal. (Instructions)

Periodically check the contact names and phone numbers on signs to make sure they are current and submit a request for a new sign as needed.

Door sign with no hazards

Laboratory door sign with no hazard labels. Includes lab contact information and emergency contact information.

Door sign with hazards

Laboratory door sign with BSL-2 hazard label, corrosive material hazard label and flammable solvents hazard labels. Sign also includes laboratory contact information and emergency contact information.

Additional information:

All laboratory doors must have an “Admittance to Authorized Personnel Only” sign provided by EHS. This must contain appropriate contact information including the name and phone number of the laboratory supervisor or other responsible personnel. These names and numbers shall be updated when personnel change. In case of an emergency, responders use this information to contact knowledgeable personnel about specific laboratory hazards.

In addition, signage must have symbols that reflect the current hazards found in the laboratory: for example, a biohazard label is required for all areas or equipment in which BSL-2 or higher agents are handled or stored; chemical hazard symbols must be present if a laboratory has 10 gallons or more of a flammable or corrosive liquid or toxic gas(es) and so on.

References:

  • Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th Edition. Section IV.
  • MSU Chemical Hygiene Plan. Section 5.1.2.
  • MSU Biosafety and Security Manual
  • MSU Bloodborne Exposure Control Plan
  • OSHA Standard 1910.1450 App A.

 

Lab Safety Inspections