Biohazard Warning Label Color

[Pelagio Bosch]

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OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at

This is in response to your letter of September 22 and to provide you with written confirmation of phone conversations you have had with a member of my staff. You requested an interpretation of the acceptability of your company's biohazard label under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030, the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. We apologize for the delay in this written response.

The bloodborne pathogens standard requires that the biohazard label be affixed to containers of regulated waste and other containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials; a red container may be substituted for the biohazard label. The design and coloring of the warning label which you submitted appears to be consistent with the requirements of 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(B) and (C) which require that the biohazard symbol and legend be in a contrasting color to a fluorescent orange or orange-red background.

Pursuant to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), warning biohazard labels must be affixed to containers of regulated waste and other containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials. The standard requires that the biohazard symbol and legend be in a contrasting color to a fluorescent orange or orange-red background.

The Biohazard Warning Sign restricts laboratory access during work with biohazards, communicates with the agents in use, and specifies entry and exit requirements. It is the responsibility of the principal investigator (PI) or supervisor to properly identify and restrict access to the laboratory and to notify emergency and support personnel of any hazards in the laboratory.

These pre-printed warning labels with a bold, universally recognized trefoil biohazard symbol on a bright red background are suitable for labeling plastic bags, tubes, cardboard, and other boxes containing biohazard materials such as pathological waste and used hypodermic needles. These durable labels can resist abrasion and exposure to harsh chemicals and solvents as well as a wide range of temperatures, from -80C to +100C. Our water and tearproof warning labels are designed to help biological laboratories communicate potential hazards and minimize the risk of exposure to hazardous biological materials.

Yes, these permanent biohazard labels can be used in laboratory freezers (as low as -80C/-112F) in certain conditions. In addition, they can be applied at a minimum application temperature as low as -20C/-4F.

Yes, warning labels can be customized with standard warning symbols, text, graphics, and logos on various color backgrounds. Please contact our technical support team for additional sizing, color, and design options.

Biohazard labels should be used for labeling containers containing bodily fluids and tissues as well as infectious agents or dangerous biological materials to ensure that laboratory technicians and other workers are aware of the possible health hazards.

Signs and labels in the workplace communicate bloodborne pathogen hazards to employees. The warning label must include the universal biohazard symbol and the term "biohazard" in a color that contrasts with the fluorescent orange, orange-red background, as illustrated to the right:

Warning labels must be affixed to containers of regulated waste, refrigerators and freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious material, and other containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials. Red bags or red containers can be substituted for labels.

Keep the Feds happy by complying with safety regulations, and protect the people around you by sticking these vivid Biohazard safety labels on all things hazardous. It's nearly impossible to miss the bright, fluorescent glow of the label and the stark contrast of the obsidian-black "BIOHAZARD" and symbol imprint.

These labels are primarily used by medical offices, HAZMAT, and home health professionals to mark containers or places with medically hazardous materials. However, people have been known to stick them on coworkers' desks or a messy room mate's bathroom sink.

These labels are meant for indoor use and have permanent adhesive which means that they sure to stay after they're firmly applied to a clean surface. Easy to peel from the liner, there are 500 labels on each roll that ships from our clean, centrally located, Kansas warehouse.

It means you're getting consistent, quality products from a family-owned business that started in a garage, and has grown with one simple vision: to make the lives of our customers easier and more organized.

Since 1976, we've helped thousands bring color-coding exceptionalism to their business. We know too well that "one size fits all" just doesn't cut it in today's world. Our customers demand better. And we deliver better - better quality, better customer service, and small-town ethics that is rare to find today. That's our promise every day!

In our latest installment of Ask the Expert, brought to you by the team of industry experts at EHS Hero, we look at a recent question from a subscriber asking about the OSHA standards of biohazard labeling in facilities where biohazardous samples are kept. See what the experts had to say.

Q: We store biohazardous samples in an ultra-low temperature freezer and label the freezer as such. Do the doors into the area need the biohazard label on them to let employees know that they are entering into an area that has biohazardous material in it?

However, employers are only required to post signs at the entrances to work areas at research laboratories and production facilities engaged in the culture, production, concentration, experimentation, and manipulation of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This includes signs at all access doors when OPIM or infected animals are present in the work area or containment module. This requirement does not apply to clinical or diagnostic laboratories engaged solely in the analysis of blood, tissues, or organs.

There are an estimated 16 billion injections administered globally each year, and not all of the used syringes and needles end up properly disposed of, creating risks of injury and infection as well as opportunities for reuse, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

A person who experiences a needle stick injury from a needle used on an infected patient has a 30% risk of becoming infected with Hepatitis B, 1.8% risk of Hepatitis C, and 0.3% risk of HIV. You can avoid costly citations and prevent harmful exposure by practicing proper use of waste containers and biohazard safety labeling.

Incorrect waste segregation and labeling are among the most common violations for healthcare facilities. Medical waste introduces an added risk of exposing medical personnel, waste handlers, and patients to harmful infections if it's not managed properly. No matter the type of biohazardous waste, it all has the possibility of being infectious. This is why biohazardous waste can never be put in a regular trash can.

OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard describes requirements employers must put in place to protect workers who may come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Part of this standard includes consistent labeling and containment of biohazards using bags, containers, and safety labels and signs to reduce the chances of harmful exposure from the facility to the outside world.

Biohazard waste is anything that is soaked in blood. A good rule of thumb to follow to determine the type of container to use is to consider the level of risk the waste could have on a person's well-being. Essentially, the higher the risk the waste poses to humans, the more rigid the container you need. OSHA has rules for containers that carry regulated waste:

Employers are responsible for clearly communicating biological hazards to employees through warning labels and signs. The biohazard label must be fluorescent orange or red-orange and clearly display the word "biohazard" and the universal biohazard symbol in a contrasting color (usually black). Apply labels as close as possible to the container with an

Use red bags to dispose of liquid and solid items contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials. If the waste can pour, drip, or flake off after drying, store it in a red bag or red color-coded container at the location it was used. OSHA also allows red bags or containers to be substituted for labels.

Sharps: all sharps such as used needles and anything used for cutting and injecting must be stored in a rigid, leak-proof, tamper-proof, and puncture-proof container. It can be made from a variety of products from cardboard to plastic. Label or color-code the container according to the bloodborne pathogens standard. If leakage is possible, place in a second container that is closable and prevents leakage during handling, storing, transport, or shipping. Upon closure, you can use duct tape to better secure the lid as long as it doesn't serve as the primary lid.

Contaminated laundry: put all laundry that's been in contact with blood or may contain sharps in a red bag. Items include gauze, gloves, gowns, bedding, bench paper, personal protective equipment (PPE), and more. If laundry is wet and at risk of leaking or soaking through from the bag or container, place laundry in bags or containers that prevent leakage.

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