New Laboratory Entrance Signage System New Laboratory Entrance Signage System

Laboratory entrance signs are required by regulatory agencies and are essential to safety by providing critical information to lab users, visitors, and emergency responders, alerting them to specific hazards in the respective lab. Lab entrance signs are to be posted at all entrance(s) to each functionally separate laboratory. In an open space lab design (such as seen in Genetics Medicine Research Building), each bench will have signs posted to specify the Principal Investigator and specific hazards located on that bench.

This new signage program allows the (Principal Investigator and/or lab personnel) to create a customized sign specifically for their lab by choosing the appropriate hazard pictogram. The information on each sign must also include names and emergency phone numbers of the principal investigator and any other designated personnel (i.e. safety supervisor and/or building manager) so that first responders and/or other safety personnel have the critical contact information readily available to them in the event of an emergency.

Lab entrance signs are created via the web application below. After you select the pictograms and input the information for your sign, EHS will print it and post it at the entrance(s) to your lab. An editable PDF of the sign will also be accessible on the "Room Use" page of the online lab safety plan in case you need to update contact information. To see an example of the laboratory entrance signs click here.

Training and assistance in using the Lab Entrance Sign program are available through EHS. If you have any questions about the program please contact the Chemical Safety section (chemsafety[at]unc.edu).

General Information

You, the Form Filler

First Name:
 Last Name:

Area Code:
 Phone:
 Email:

Principal Investigator

First Name:
 Last Name:

Area Code:
 Phone:
 Email:

Emergency Phone Number:

Primary Contact

First Name:
 Last Name:

Area Code:
 Phone:

Emergency Phone Number:

Alternate Contact

First Name:
 Last Name:

Area Code:
 Phone:

Emergency Phone Number:

Laboratory Information

Department:
Building:
Building Room Number:

Laboratory Hazards

Please place a check next to the hazards that are present in your laboratory.

Biohazard Cancer Hazard
Biohazard: Posted in laboratories containing BSL2 and/or BSL3 agents (as detailed on the Schedule F of the Lab Safety Plan). Cancer Hazard: Posted in laboratories or storage rooms where chemicals that are specifically regulated by OSHA as carcinogens are used or stored.
Corrosive Materials Flammable Gas
Corrosive Materials: Posted in laboratories where there is storage or routine use of a variety of strong acids and bases in concentrated form (i.e. HCl, H2SO4, NH4OH). Flammable Gas: Posted in laboratories or storage areas where cylinders of gases that ignite easily and burn rapidly are used or stored (i.e. hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and acetylene).
Flammable Materials Laser Radiation
Flammable Materials: Posted in laboratories or storage areas regularly using or storing highly volatile solvents in moderate quantities (i.e. acetone, 95% ethanol, ether and methanol) Laser Radiation: Posted in laboratories where Class IIIB or IV lasers are used or stored.
Non-Flammable Gas Oxidizing Materials
Non-flammable Gas: Posted in laboratories where containers of compressed, liquefied, or solidified gases which pose a risk of asphyxiation, and/or the risk of rapid freezing of tissue are stored or used (i.e. argon, carbon dioxide, liquid nitrogen). Oxidizing Materials: Posted in laboratories with routine use or storage of moderate quantities of oxidizers (i.e. oxygen gas cylinders, peroxides, chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates, and permanganates).
Caution Radioactive Materials Reproductive Toxin
Caution Radioactive Materials: Posted in laboratories where radioactive materials are used or stored, or where radioactive wastes are accumulated. These locations will not be posted until authorization to use radioactive material has been granted by the Radiation Safety Officer. Reproductive Toxin: Posted at entrances to laboratories or storage rooms containing substances that are listed as developmental toxins, or male/female reproductive toxins (Listed in Appendix 7-B of the Laboratory Safety Manual).
Highly Toxic Ultraviolet Light
Highly Toxic: Posted in laboratories or storage rooms containing chemical substances defined by the Department of Transportation as poisonous, or by the Environmental Protection Agency as acutely toxic (LD50 < 50 mg/kg). Ultraviolet Light: Posted in laboratories using non-laser equipment capable of producing UV wavelengths between 180 and 400 nm at or above the following intensities: Wavelength (nm)/(mJ/cm2) 180/250; 200/100; 250/7; 300/10; 350/1.5x10^4; 400/1.5x10^5.
Water Reactive Caution X-Ray Equipment
Water Reactive: Posted in laboratories where the amount of chemical on hand could cause a fire or serious health hazard if it came into accidental contact with water (i.e. sodium metal, lithium aluminum hydride). Caution X-Ray Equipment: Posted in laboratories where electrically- produced x-ray equipment is located.

Multiple Signs

How many entrances does your lab have?

Sign Orientation

The standard sign orientation is horizontal (11" x 8.5"). If space limitations require that your sign be vertical (8.5" X 11"), please check here.

Submit Your Form

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