(1) You must protect employees from exposure to hazardous concentrations of biological agents that may result from processing, handling or using materials or waste.
Note: | Potential exposure to biological agents occurs during cleanup, or other tasks, where employees handle: |
– Animals or animal waste | |
– Body fluids | |
– Biological agents in a medical research lab | |
– Mold or mildew | |
Check The Center of Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov) to find published guidelines and information on safe handling and protection from specific biological agents (examples: Hanta virus, TB). |
(2) You must warn employees of biohazards.
(3) You must use signs, tags, or labels to identify:
(a) The actual or potential presence of a biohazard; and
(b) Equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or any combinations of these that contain viable hazardous agents.
Definition:
Biohazard means those infectious agents presenting a risk or potential risk of death, injury or illness to employees.
You must make sure the sign, tag, or label includes the biohazard symbol that is designed and proportioned in the illustration that follows.
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You must make sure that there is sufficient contrast for the symbol to be clearly defined, if the sign, tag, or label has a background color.
Reference: | Additional requirements for biohazard signs, tags, and labels may apply. See WAC 296-823-14025 and 296-823-18040 of the Bloodborne Pathogens book. |
Note: | • It's recommended that the sign, tag, or label have a key color of fluorescent orange or orange-red and lettering or symbols in a contrasting color. |
•Appropriate wording may be used in association with the symbol to indicate: | |
– The nature or identity of the hazard; | |
– Name of individual responsible for its control; | |
– Precautionary information; | |
or | |
– Other information. | |
• This information should not be written on the symbol. |