Many laboratories use hazardous chemicals that are purchased in large quantities and then transferred into smaller secondary containers (e.g., vials, flasks or bottles), or prepared as diluted solutions or mixtures for use.
If your laboratory uses secondary containers filled with chemicals, the secondary containers must comply with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard for Labels and Pictograms.
For your convenience, EH&S designed secondary chemical labels that can be downloaded from our website and printed onto Avery 5163 labels.
You may choose from three designs:
Exemption: Secondary labels are not required when the container is under the direct control of the person who transferred or prepared the solution and all of it will be consumed during the same work shift.
Review the Lab Survey Checklist Explanations for more information about expectations for labeling secondary chemical containers.
Please contact the Environmental Health & Safety Lab Safety Team at labcheck@uw.edu with questions.
Links to additional chemical safety information:
- Lab Safety Survey Checklist and Explanations
- OSHA QuickFacts: Laboratory Safety Labeling and Transfer of Chemicals
- Safety Manuals
- Chemical SOPs
