OSHA Sign Wordings III: Asbestos, Radiation, and Biohazard Awareness

In the first post in this series, we introduced you to some research that revealed five Most Popular OSHA Wordings and offered some specific applicable OSHA standards.  In Part II, Top Stonehouse OSHA Sign Wordings, we revealed some more of our most popular OSHA wordings.

Asbestos, radiation, and biohazards have specific standards and regulations that need to be followed precisely to prevent accidental exposure that can cause serious injury, cancer, and even death. 

Safety professionals take special care to esure their company is in compliance with all the necessary standards and regulations for these three dangerous hazards.

The signs below are just a few of the standard OSHA Signs that Stonehouse offers- browse our online catalog to see our complete selection. 

NOTE: The information presented in this document is intended for general discussion only and should not be used for compliance purposes. For more detailed information on OSHA standards and their application to specific situations, please visit the Occupational Health and Safety Administration's website, or contact OSHA directly.

The links below will take you to the particular section you are
looking for, and the highlighted numbers in each section will
link you directly to OSHA's website for detailed information!

OSHA Standards are open to interpretation, so if you need a more specific message to ensure the safety of your employees or visitors, Stonehouse can ensure your message is exactly what you need.

Don't ever settle for 'Close Enough'. Change it up and make it your own! Customize any of these OSHA signs and messages to your exact requirements. Change the wording and add graphics to ensure your message is clear. Simple changes are free of charge.

Click on any of the sign images below to view product details!

Danger: Asbestos Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard Authorized Personnel Only Respirators and Protective Clothing Are Required In this Area

Stonehouse also recommends these OSHA messages for the standards mentioned below:

OSHA Standard Number 1910.1001: Asbestos Occupational Safety

1910.1001(j)(3) Warning signs.

1910.1001(j)(3)(i) Posting.

Warning signs shall be provided and displayed at each regulated area. In addition, warning signs shall be posted at all approaches to regulated areas so that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps before entering the area.

1910.1001(j)(3)(ii) Sign specifications.

1910.1001(j)(3)(ii)(A)

The warning signs required by paragraph (j)(3) of this section shall bear the following information:

DANGER
ASBESTOS
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

1910.1001(j)(3)(ii)(B)

In addition, where the use of respirators and protective clothing is required in the regulated area under this section, the warning signs shall include the following:

RESPIRATORS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
ARE REQUIRED IN THIS AREA

1910.1001(j)(3)(iv)

The employer shall ensure that employees working in and contiguous to regulated areas comprehend the warning signs required to be posted by paragraph (j)(3)(i) of this section. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs and graphics.

1910.1001(j)(3)(v)

At the entrance to mechanical rooms/areas in which employees reasonably can be expected to enter and which contain ACM and/or PACM, the building owner shall post signs which identify the material which is present, its location, and appropriate work practices which, if followed, will ensure that ACM and/or PACM will not be disturbed. The employer shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come in contact with these signs can comprehend them. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.

OSHA Standard Number 1926.1101: Asbestos Safety for Construction

1926.1101(k)(6)

At the entrance to mechanical rooms/areas in which employees reasonably can be expected to enter and which contain ACM and/or PACM, the building owner shall post signs which identify the material which is present, its location, and appropriate work practices which, if followed, will ensure that ACM and/or PACM will not be disturbed. The employer shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come in contact with these signs can comprehend them. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.

1926.1101(k)(7) Signs.

1926.1101(k)(7)(i)

Warning signs that demarcate the regulated area shall be provided and displayed at each location where a regulated area is required to be established by paragraph (e) of this section. Signs shall be posted at such a distance from such a location that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps before entering the area marked by the signs.

1926.1101(k)(7)(ii)(A)

The warning signs required by paragraph (k)(7) of this section shall bear the following information.

DANGER
ASBESTOS
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

1926.1101(k)(7)(iii)

The employer shall ensure that employees working in and contiguous to regulated areas comprehend the warning signs required to be posted by paragraph (k)(7)(i) of this section. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs and graphics.

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Danger: Contains Asbestos Fibers Avoid Creating Dust Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard

OSHA Standard Number 1910.1001: Asbestos Occupational Safety

1910.1001(j)(4) Warning labels.

1910.1001(j)(4)(i)

Labeling. Warning labels shall be affixed to all raw materials, mixtures, scrap, waste, debris, and other products containing asbestos fibers, or to their containers. When a building owner or employer identifies previously installed ACM and/or PACM, labels or signs shall be affixed or posted so that employees will be notified of what materials contain ACM and/or PACM. The employer shall attach such labels in areas where they will clearly be noticed by employees who are likely to be exposed, such as at the entrance to mechanical room/areas. Signs required by paragraph (j)(3) of this section may be posted in lieu of labels so long as they contain information required for labelling.

1910.1001(j)(4)(ii) Label specifications.

The labels shall comply with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) of OSHA's Hazard Communication standard, and shall include the following information:

DANGER
CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
AVOID CREATING DUST
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD

OSHA Standard Number 1926.1101: Asbestos Safety for Construction

1926.1101(k)(8) Labels.

1926.1101(k)(8)(i)

Labels shall be affixed to all products containing asbestos and to all containers containing such products, including waste containers. Where feasible, installed asbestos products shall contain a visible label.

1926.1101(k)(8)(ii)

Labels shall be printed in large, bold letters on a contrasting background.

1926.1101(k)(8)(iii)

Labels shall be used in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) of OSHA's Hazard Communication standard, and shall contain the following information:

DANGER
CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
AVOID CREATING DUST
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD

1926.1101(k)(8)(v)

Labels shall contain a warning statement against breathing asbestos fibers.

1926.1101(k)(8)(vii)

When a building owner or employer identifies previously installed PACM and/or ACM, labels or signs shall be affixed or posted so that employees will be notified of what materials contain PACM and/or ACM. The employer shall attach such labels in areas where they will clearly be noticed by employees who are likely to be exposed, such as at the entrance to mechanical room/areas. Signs required by paragraph (k)(6) of this section may be posted in lieu of labels so long as they contain information required for labeling. The employer shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come in contact with these signs or labels can comprehend them. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.

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Caution: Radiation Area / Caution: High Radiation Area

Stonehouse also recommends these OSHA messages for the standards mentioned below:

OSHA Standard Number 1910.1096: Ionizing radiation

Caution signs, labels, and signals-

1910.1096(e)(1) General.

1910.1096(e)(1)(i)

Symbols prescribed by this paragraph shall use the conventional radiation caution colors (magenta or purple on yellow background). The symbol prescribed by this paragraph is the conventional three-bladed design:

FIGURE G-10 RADIATION SYMBOL
(For Figure G-10, Click Here)

1910.1096(e)(2) Radiation area.

Each radiation area shall be conspicuously posted with a sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol described in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph and the words:

CAUTION
RADIATION AREA

1910.1096(e)(3) High radiation area.

1910.1096(e)(3)(i)

Each high radiation area shall be conspicuously posted with a sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol and the words:

CAUTION
HIGH RADIATION AREA

1910.1096(e)(3)(ii)

Each high radiation area shall be equipped with a control device which shall either cause the level of radiation to be reduced below that at which an individual might receive a dose of 100 millirems in 1 hour upon entry into the area or shall energize a conspicuous visible or audible alarm signal in such a manner that the individual entering and the employer or a supervisor of the activity are made aware of the entry. In the case of a high radiation area established for a period of 30 days or less, such control device is not required.

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Caution: Airborne Radiation Area

Stonehouse also recommends these OSHA messages for the standards mentioned below:

OSHA Standard Number 1910.1096: Ionizing radiation

1910.1096(e)(4) Airborne radioactivity area.

1910.1096(e)(4)(i)

As used in the provisions of this section, airborne radioactivity area means:

1910.1096(e)(4)(i)(a)

Any room, enclosure, or operating area in which airborne radioactive materials, composed wholly or partly of radioactive material, exist in concentrations in excess of the amounts specified in column 1 of Table 1 of appendix B to 10 CFR part 20 or

1910.1096(e)(4)(i)(b)

Any room, enclosure, or operating area in which airborne radioactive materials exist in concentrations which, averaged over the number of hours in any week during which individuals are in the area, exceed 25 percent of the amounts specified in column 1 of Table 1 of appendix B to 10 CFR part 20.

1910.1096(e)(4)(ii)

Each airborne radioactivity area shall be conspicuously posted with a sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section and the words:

CAUTION
AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY AREA

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Caution: Radioactive Materials

OSHA Standard Number 1910.1096: Ionizing radiation

1910.1096(e)(5) Additional requirements.

1910.1096(e)(5)(i)

Each area or room in which radioactive material is used or stored and which contains any radioactive material (other than natural uranium or thorium) in any amount exceeding 10 times the quantity of such material specified in appendix C to 10 CFR part 20 shall be conspicuously posted with a sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section and the words:

CAUTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

1910.1096(e)(5)(ii)

Each area or room in which natural uranium or thorium is used or stored in an amount exceeding 100 times the quantity of such material specified in 10 CFR part 20 shall be conspicuously posted with a sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section and the words:

CAUTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

1910.1096(e)(6) Containers.

1910.1096(e)(6)(i)

Each container in which is transported, stored, or used a quantity of any radioactive material (other than natural uranium or thorium) greater than the quantity of such material specified in appendix C to 10 CFR part 20 shall bear a durable, clearly visible label bearing the radiation caution symbol described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section and the words:

CAUTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

1910.1096(e)(6)(ii)

Each container in which natural uranium or thorium is transported, stored, or used in a quantity greater than 10 times the quantity specified in appendix C to 10 CFR part 20 shall bear a durable, clearly visible label bearing the radiation caution symbol described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section and the words:

CAUTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

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Bio Hazard

Stonehouse also recommends these OSHA messages for the standards mentioned below:

OSHA Standard Number 1910.145:Specifications accident prevention signs/tags

1910.145(e)(4) Biological hazard signs.

The biological hazard warning shall be used to signify the actual or potential presence of a biohazard and to identify equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or combinations thereof, which contain, or are contaminated with, viable hazardous agents. For the purpose of this subparagraph the term "biological hazard," or "biohazard," shall include only those infectious agents presenting a risk or potential risk to the well-being of man.

OSHA Standard Number 1910.1030: Bloodborne pathogens

1910.1030(e)(2)(ii)(D)

When other potentially infectious materials or infected animals are present in the work area or containment module, a hazard warning sign incorporating the universal biohazard symbol shall be posted on all access doors. The hazard warning sign shall comply with paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this standard.

1910.1030(g)(1)(ii) Signs. 

1910.1030(g)(1)(ii)(A)

The employer shall post signs at the entrance to work areas specified in paragraph (e), HIV and HBV Research Laboratory and Production Facilities, which shall bear the following legend:



(Name of the Infectious Agent)
(Special requirements for entering the area)
(Name, telephone number of the laboratory director or other responsible person.)

1910.1030(g)(1)(ii)(B)

These signs shall be fluorescent orange-red or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color.

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