Science Laboratory Safety Signs

A List of Common Lab Hazard Warnings

By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Learn about our Editorial Process
Updated on November 05, 2019
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Collection of Safety Symbols

Safety signs and symbols can help prevent accidents in the lab.
Safety signs and symbols can help prevent accidents in the lab. Ann Cutting / Getty Images

Science labs, particularly chemistry labs, have a lot of safety signs. This is a collection of images you can use to learn what the different symbols mean. Since they're public domain (not copyrighted), you can use them to make signs for your own lab, as well.

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Green Eyewash Sign or Symbol

Use this sign to indicate the location of an eyewash station.
Lab Safety Signs Use this sign to indicate the location of an eyewash station. Rafal Konieczny
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Green Safety Shower Sign or Symbol

This is the sign or symbol for a safety shower.
This is the sign or symbol for a safety shower. Epop, Creative Commons
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Green First Aid Sign

Use this symbol to identify the location of a first aid station.
Lab Safety Signs Use this symbol to identify the location of a first aid station. Rafal Konieczny
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Green Defibrillator Sign

This sign indicates the location of a defibrillator or AED.
This sign indicates the location of a defibrillator or AED. Stefan-Xp, Creative Commons
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Red Fire Blanket Safety Sign

This safety sign indicates the location of a fire blanket.
This safety sign indicates the location of a fire blanket. Epop, Creative Commons
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Radiation Symbol

Unofficial Radiation Symbol
Lab Safety Signs This radiation symbol is a little fancier than your standard trefoil, but it is easy to recognize the significance of the symbol. Ianare, Wikipedia Commons
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Safety Sign: Triangular Radioactive Symbol

This trefoil is the hazard symbol for radioactive material.
This trefoil is the hazard symbol for radioactive material. Cary Bass
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Safety Sign: Red Ionizing Radiation Symbol

This is the IAEA ionizing radiation warning symbol (ISO 21482).
This is the IAEA ionizing radiation warning symbol (ISO 21482). Kricke (Wikipedia) based on the IAEA symbol.
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Green Recycling Symbol

Universal recycling symbol or logo.
Lab Safety Signs Universal recycling symbol or logo. Cbuckley, Wikipedia Commons
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Safety Sign: Orange Toxic Warning Hazard

This is the hazard symbol for toxic substances.
This is the hazard symbol for toxic substances. European Chemicals Bureau
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Safety Sign: Orange Harmful or Irritant Warning Hazard

This is the hazard symbol for an irritant or the general symbol for a potentially harmful chemical.
This is the hazard symbol for an irritant or the general symbol for a potentially harmful chemical. European Chemicals Bureau
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Safety Sign: Orange Flammable Hazard

This is the hazard symbol for flammable substances.
This is the hazard symbol for flammable substances. European Chemicals Bureau
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Safety Sign: Orange Explosives Hazard

This is the hazard symbol for explosives or an explosion hazard.
This is the hazard symbol for explosives or an explosion hazard. European Chemicals Bureau
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Safety Sign: Orange Oxidizing Hazard

This is the hazard symbol for oxidizing substances.
This is the hazard symbol for oxidizing substances. European Chemicals Bureau
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Safety Sign: Orange Corrosive Hazard

This is the hazard symbol indicating corrosive materials.
This is the hazard symbol indicating corrosive materials. European Chemicals Bureau
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Safety Sign: Orange Environmental Hazard

This is the safety sign indicating an environmental hazard.
This is the safety sign indicating an environmental hazard. European Chemicals Bureau
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Safety Sign: Blue Respiratory Protection Sign

This sign tells you respiratory protection is required.
Lab Safety Signs This sign tells you respiratory protection is required. Torsten Henning
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Safety Sign: Blue Gloves Required Symbol

This sign means you need to wear gloves or other hand protection.
Lab Safety Signs This sign means you need to wear gloves or other hand protection. Torsten Henning
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Safety Sign: Blue Eye or Face Protection Symbol

This symbol indicates mandatory eye or face protection.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol indicates mandatory eye or face protection. Torsten Henning
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Safety Sign: Blue Protective Clothing

This symbol indicates mandatory use of protective clothing.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol indicates mandatory use of protective clothing. Torsten Henning
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Safety Sign: Blue Protective Footwear

This sign indicates mandatory use of protective footwear.
Lab Safety Signs This sign indicates mandatory use of protective footwear. Torsten Henning
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Safety Sign: Blue Eye Protection Required

This sign or symbol means that proper eye protection must be worn.
This sign or symbol means that proper eye protection must be worn. Torsten Henning
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Safety Sign: Blue Ear Protection Required

This symbol or sign indicates ear protection is required.
This symbol or sign indicates ear protection is required. Torsten Henning
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Red and Black Danger Sign

Here is a blank danger sign that you can save or print.
Lab Safety Signs Here is a blank danger sign that you can save or print. RTCNCA, Wikipedia Creative Commons
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Yellow and Black Caution Sign

Here is a blank caution sign that you can save or print.
Lab Safety Signs Here is a blank caution sign that you can save or print. RTCNCA, Wikipedia Creative Commons
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Red and White Fire Extinguisher Sign

This symbol or sign indicates the location of a fire extinguisher.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol or sign indicates the location of a fire extinguisher. Moogle10000, Wikipedia Commons
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Fire Hose Safety Sign

This safety sign indicates the location of a fire hose.
This safety sign indicates the location of a fire hose. Epop, Creative Commons
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Flammable Gas Symbol

This is the placard that indicates a flammable gas.
This is the placard that indicates a flammable gas. HAZMAT Class 2.1: Flammable Gas. Nickersonl, Wikipedia Commons

A flammable gas is one which will ignite on contact with an ignition source. Examples include hydrogen and acetylene.

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Nonflammable Gas Symbol

This is the hazard symbol for nonflammable gas.
This is the hazard symbol for nonflammable gas. Hazmat Class 2.2: Nonflammable Gas. Nonflammable gases are neither flammable nor poisonous. "Emergency Response Guidebook." U.S. Department of Transportation, 2004, pages 16-17.
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Chemical Weapon Symbol

Lab Safety Signs U.S. Army symbol for chemical weapons. U.S. Army
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Biological Weapon Symbol

This is the symbol for a biological weapon of mass destruction or biohazardous WMD.
Lab Safety Signs This is the US Army symbol for a biological weapon of mass destruction or biohazardous WMD. Andux, Wikipedia Commons. Design belongs to the US Army.
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Nuclear Weapon Symbol

This is the US Army symbol for a radiation WMD or nuclear weapon.
Lab Safety Signs This is the US Army symbol for a radiation WMD or nuclear weapon. Ysangkok, Wikipedia Commons. Design belongs to the US Army.
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Carcinogen Hazard Symbol

UN symbol for carcinogens and mutagens.
Lab Safety Signs This is the UN's Globally Harmonized System sign for carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, respiratory sensitizers and substances with target organ toxicity. United Nations
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Low Temperature Warning Symbol

This symbol indicates the presence of a low temperature or cryogenic hazard.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol indicates the presence of a low temperature or cryogenic hazard. Torsten Henning
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Hot Surface Warning Symbol

This is a warning symbol indicating a hot surface, German standard DIN 4844-2.
Lab Safety Signs This is a warning symbol indicating a hot surface. Torsten Henning
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Magnetic Field Symbol

This is the warning symbol indicating the presence of a magnetic field.
Lab Safety Signs This is the warning symbol indicating the presence of a magnetic field. Torsten Henning
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Optical Radiation Symbol

This symbol indicates the presence of an optical radiation hazard.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol indicates the presence of an optical radiation hazard. Torsten Henning
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Laser Warning Sign

This symbol warns of the risk of exposure to laser light or coherent radiation.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol warns of the risk of exposure to laser beams or coherent radiation. Torsten Henning
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Compressed Gas Symbol

This symbol warns of the presence of compressed gas.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol warns of the presence of compressed gas. Torsten Henning
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Non-Ionizing Radiation Symbol

This is the warning symbol for non-ionizing radiation.
Lab Safety Signs This is the warning symbol for non-ionizing radiation. Torsten Henning
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Generic Warning Symbol

This is a generic warning symbol. You may save it or print it for use as a sign.
Lab Safety Signs This is a generic warning symbol. You may save it or print it for use as a sign. Torsten Henning
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Ionizing Radiation Symbol

The radiation symbol warning of an ionizing radiation hazard.
Lab Safety Signs The radiation symbol warning of an ionizing radiation hazard. Torsten Henning
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Remote Control Equipment

This sign warns of a hazard from remotely started equipment.
Lab Safety Signs This sign warns of a hazard from remotely started equipment. Torsten Henning
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Biohazard Sign

This sign warns of a biohazard.
Lab Safety Signs This sign warns of a biohazard. Bastique, Wikipedia Commons
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High Voltage Warning Sign

This symbol indicates the presence of a high voltage hazard.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol indicates the presence of a high voltage hazard. Duesentrieb, Wikipedia Commons
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Laser Radiation Symbol

This sign warns of laser radiation.
Lab Safety Signs This sign warns of laser radiation. Spooky, Wikipedia Commons
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Blue Important Sign

Use this blue exclamation mark sign to indicate something important.
Lab Safety Signs Use this blue exclamation mark sign to indicate something important, but not dangerous. AzaToth, Wikipedia Commons
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Yellow Important Sign

Use this yellow exclamation mark sign to warn of something important.
Lab Safety Signs Use this yellow exclamation mark sign to warn of something important, which may present a hazard if ignored. Bastique, Wikipedia Commons
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Red Important Sign

Use this red exclamation mark sign to indicate something important.
Lab Safety Signs Use this red exclamation mark sign to indicate something important. Bastique, Wikipedia Commons
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Radiation Warning Symbol

This symbol warns of a radiation hazard.
Lab Safety Signs This symbol warns of a radiation hazard. Silsor, Wikipedia Commons
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Poison Sign

Use this sign to indicate the presence of poisons.
Lab Safety Signs Use this sign to indicate the presence of poisons. W!B:, Wikipedia Commons
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Dangerous When Wet Sign

This sign indicates a material that presents a hazard when exposed to water.
Lab Safety Signs This sign indicates a material that presents a hazard when exposed to water. Mysid, Wikipedia Commons
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Orange Biohazard Sign

This sign warns of a biohazard or biological hazard.
Lab Safety Signs This sign warns of a biohazard or biological hazard. Marcin "Sei" Juchniewicz
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Green Recycling Symbol

The green Mobius strip with arrows is the universal recycling symbol.
Lab Safety Signs The green Mobius strip with arrows is the universal recycling symbol. Antaya, Wikipedia Commons
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Yellow Radioactive Diamond Sign

This sign warns of a radiation hazard.
Lab Safety Signs This sign warns of a radiation hazard. rfc1394, Wikipedia Commons
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Green Mr. Yuk

Mr. Yuk means no!
Safety Symbols Mr. Yuk means no!. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Mr. Yuk is a hazard symbol used in the United States that's intended to warn young children of poison hazards.

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Original Magenta Radiation Symbol

The original radiation warning symbol was devised in 1946 at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory.
Safety Symbols The original radiation warning symbol was devised in 1946 at the University of California, Berkeley Radiation Laboratory. Unlike the modern black on yellow symbol, the original radiation symbol featured a magenta trefoil on a blue background. Gavin C. Stewart, Public Domain
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Red and White Fire Extinguisher Sign

This safety sign indicates the location of a fire extinguisher.
This safety sign indicates the location of a fire extinguisher. Epop, Creative Commons
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Red Emergency Call Button Sign

This sign indicates the location of an emergency call button, usually used in case of a fire.
This sign indicates the location of an emergency call button, usually used in case of a fire. Epop, Wikipedia Commons
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Green Emergency Assembly or Evacuation Point Sign

This sign indicates the emergency assembly point or emergency evacuation location.
This sign indicates the emergency assembly location or emergency evacuation location. Epop, Creative Commons
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Green Escape Route Sign

This sign indicates the direction of the emergency escape route or emergency exit.
This sign indicates the direction of the emergency escape route or emergency exit. Tobias K., Creative Commons License
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Green Radura Symbol

The radura symbol is used to identify food that has been irradiated food in USA.
The radura symbol is used to identify food that has been irradiated food in USA. USDA
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Red and Yellow High Voltage Sign

This sign warns of a high voltage hazard.
This sign warns of a high voltage hazard. BipinSankar, Wikipedia Public Domain
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U.S. Army Symbols of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction)

These are the symbols used by the US Army to signify weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
These are the symbols used by the US Army to signify weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The symbols are not necessarily consistent from one country to another. Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons License
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NFPA 704 Placard or Sign

This is an example of a NFPA 704 warning sign.
This is an example of a NFPA 704 warning sign. The four colored quadrants of the sign indicate the types of hazards presented by a material. public domain

NFPA 704 is a standard system for the identification of the hazards of materials for emergency response that is set and maintained by standard maintained by the National Fire Protection Association.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Science Laboratory Safety Signs." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/science-laboratory-safety-signs-4064202. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Science Laboratory Safety Signs. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/science-laboratory-safety-signs-4064202 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Science Laboratory Safety Signs." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/science-laboratory-safety-signs-4064202 (accessed June 4, 2023).
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