Programs

Signage

Anyone entering areas where biohazardous materials are used or stored must be aware of the potential hazards. The biohazard symbol must be on all entries to biohazardous material laboratories, contain­ers, biological safety cabinets, infectious waste containers, freezers, refrigerators and other equipment where blood and other potential­ly infectious materials are used or stored.

Permanent area warning signs should be posted in a visible, legible, entry location for all laboratory occupants and visitors.

Temporary signs (those that will be in place for less than one month) should be posted with tape on glass surfaces or on refrigerators, freezers, or entry doors. All temporary signs must be removed when the hazard no longer exists.

Types of Signage

• Human biohazard signs (red) should be posted on doors to rooms where microorganisms or biological toxins known to cause disease in humans are used, such as microorganisms classified to be used in Biosafety Level 2 or 3 research activities.
• Animal biohazard signs (yellow) should be posted where strict animal pathogens are used.
• Plant biohazard signs (green) should be posted where strict plant pathogens are used.

Note: These Biohazard Warning Signs are in addition to the Emergency Notification Sign posting required for all laboratories on the MU Campus.

Examples

• Emergency Notification Signs
• All Human Biohazards with or without animals involved
• Animal Biohazards
• Main Entry to Multi-Room Animal Biohazards with animals involved
• Animal Biohazards without animals involved - tissues, fluids, etc.
• All Plant Biohazards