Workplace hazard signage

About the signage

This signage helps guide employees, students, emergency responders and university personnel in understanding the caution required when entering a space. It also imposes access restrictions on individuals who do not typically work in an area but may need to enter for repairs, maintenance or other duties, including Facilities Management and IITS personnel, custodians and outside contractors.

In addition to indicating chemical, biological and radiation hazards, the signage specifies personal protective equipment (PPE) required to enter the space and identifies the presence of emergency equipment such as eyewash stations and emergency showers.

Check out a sample version of the workplace hazard signage

Hazard levels

Three hazard levels have been established:

Level 1 – Green: Minimal hazard. University personnel required to perform routine maintenance or repairs in the space may enter.
Level 2 – Yellow: Moderate hazard. University personnel required to perform routine maintenance or repairs in the space may not enter unless they have obtained permission of the area supervisor or facilities manager.
Level 3 – Red: High hazard. University personnel required to perform routine maintenance or repairs in the space may not enter unless accompanied by the area supervisor or facilities manager. In emergencies, university personnel may enter but must inform the area supervisor or facilities manager afterward.

Determining hazard levels

Environmental Health and Safety assesses the hazards present in a workplace, including chemical, biological, radiation and other equipment-related hazards like lasers and magnetic fields. The highest assessed hazard classification determines the overall hazard level. For instance, a research laboratory classified as chemical safety level 3 will be designated as hazard level 3 even if it does not handle biohazardous materials or nuclear substances.

Workplaces that do not meet any classification criteria — such as offices and computer labs — will not display workplace hazard signage.

Workplace hazard signage classification criteria

Biological safety level

Yellow triangular biohazard warning sign with a black border and a biohazard symbol in the centre.

The biological safety level categorizes laboratories based on the containment level of the laboratory, according to the classification system established by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Biosafety level 1: Containment Level 1 laboratory.
Biosafety level 2: Containment Level 2 laboratory.

Chemical safety level

Yellow triangular warning sign with a black flask emitting fumes, indicating a chemical hazard.

The chemical safety level is determined by various criteria, including the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System’s (WHMIS) classifications of hazardous products present and their quantities.

Chemical safety level 1: low hazard products.
Chemical safety level 2: moderate hazard products.
Chemical safety level 3: high hazard products.

Radiation safety level

Yellow triangular radiation warning sign with a black border and a central radiation symbol.

The radiation safety level is classified according to regulations from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and considers whether nuclear substances are open source, sealed source or in a radiation device. Also taken into consideration is accessible x-rays from a radiation-emitting device under Health Canada’s Radiation Emitting Devices Regulation.

Radiation safety level 1: secured radiation device, sealed source or radiation-emitting device.
Radiation safety level 2: basic level laboratory with accessible radiation device, sealed source or radiation-emitting device.
Radiation safety level 3: intermediate level laboratory, high level laboratory or nuclear medicine room.

Laser safety level

Yellow triangular warning sign with a black laser beam symbol, indicating laser radiation.

The laser safety level assesses potential injury associated with the laser system and its usage.

Laser safety level 1 – CAUTION: exposure could lead to minor or moderate injury.
Laser safety level 2 – WARNING: exposure could result in death or serious injury.
Laser safety level 3 – DANGER: exposure will lead to death or serious injury.

Magnetic safety level

Yellow and black warning sign with a magnet icon, indicating strong magnetic field.

The magnetic field safety level is determined by the location of the 5-gauss line.

Magnetic field safety level 1: the 5-gauss line is located inside the device.
Magnetic field safety level 2: the 5-gauss line is accessible outside the device. Screening is not necessary.
Magnetic field safety level 3: the 5-gauss line is accessible outside the device, and screening is required.