The biological hazard sign was first created by Charles Baldwin in 1996 for the Dow Chemical company. It is now the world recognised symbol for a biological threat and used on signs and packages worldwide.

The purpose of a biohazard sign is to alert people of a potential threat to the health of the employee or a visitor. However, you need to ensure you apply these signs properly.

Discover all you need to know about biohazards signs in our guide below.

Biohazard Signs, Explained

As mentioned, biohazard signs help to protect people from biological agents and pathogens. They are used on packages, volatile areas and to cordon off places like labs.

Examples of a biological threat, or biohazard, include: viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and other microorganisms. Some examples of viral biohazards include:

• Influenza
• SARS
• COVID
• Tuberculosis
• Hepatitis
• MRSA
• AIDS
• Waterborne infections
• Food poisoning

To signpost these biological risks, the biohazard symbol is used. Biohazard signs always include the biohazard symbol in a yellow triangle with a black graphic for heightened visibility. Sometimes you will see the word “biohazard” along with the words “Danger”, “Warning,” or “Caution”:

These should be used correctly to inform the person of the level of infection.

Caution Signs

If the biological risk is small, and will only cause a minor illness, or if the agents are not associated with disease in healthy adults, then the caution sign should be used.

Warning Signs

If the hazard is mid-level, or if the disease is rarely serious, then the warning sign should be employed.

Danger Signs

If the risk is high-level, serious or lethal, then danger signs should be used. 

Where Are Biohazards Typically Found?

Biological hazards are commonly found in places such as hospitals. You will find biohazard symbols around their medical waste areas, and even some of their more specialist departments, if they are considered biologically hazardous.

There is a wide range of biological hazards, from bodily fluids to animal carcasses to dangerous viruses and pathogens. You may find biohazard signs and hazards at veterinary practices, zoos, health centres and research laboratories.

What Jobs Are At Risk of Encountering Biohazards?

Certain jobs are, naturally, more likely to encounter biohazards than others. Examples of vocations that are most likely to encounter biohazard risks include:

• Agriculture workers
• Vets
• Doctors and medical workers
• Zookeepers
• Sportspeople
• Waste management roles
• Fishermen
• Miners
• Hunters
• Scientists and laboratory personnel
• Forensics and policing

As you can see, biohazards can affect numerous industries to different degrees, meaning biohazard signs have a multitude of uses.

The Importance of Biohazard Signs

Biohazard signs are important for one key reason: they keep people safe. Sometimes, biohazards aren’t obvious. Most of the time, they can’t be seen with the naked eye. This means signs are of paramount importance to prevent exposure to and inhalation of dangerous materials.

If there is a risk that someone may be exposed to a harmful disease, then signs must be present to alert people of the potential biological danger and to remind people of the correct health and safety precautions to follow.

Biohazard signs label waste, evidence, dangerous areas, labs and other places where biological material, animals or pathogens could be found.

Without signs, people would be walking blindly into potentially dangerous areas.

How to Dispose of Biohazards

Central to managing biohazards is ensuring they are disposed of properly. Signs often help with this by labelling evidence bags and waste bags to ensure they aren’t accidentally opened.

Overall, disposal of biohazards must factor in:

• The necessary PPE to put the hazard in the waste.
• A biohazard container to conceal and protect the waste. Examples include plastic evidence bags and plastic boxes.
• Application of the correct biohazard labels to signify the severity and danger of the biohazard.
• Using the correct waste disposal.
• Partnership with a dedicated biohazard waste disposal professional. General waste should never be used to dispose of biohazardous waste.

Browse High-Quality Biohazard Signs Today

If you’re handling biohazards, then you need reliable Biohazard Safety Signs. Our range of signs displays information quickly and efficiently, all in a high-quality, durable package.

If you have any questions about any of our label ranges then please contact us by emailing info@labelsource.co.uk or telephoning 0800 376 16 93.