Labels

Secondary Chemical Container Labeling 

Chemicals still in their original container (stock container) have all required labeling elements present on the manufacturer's label displayed on the container. 

When a chemical is transferred from its stock container to another chemical container, the new container is called a “secondary container.” The secondary container must be constructed of material compatible with the chemical being transferred. Once transferred to a secondary container, all chemicals, mixtures, and solutions containing hazardous materials must be labeled in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450). Hazards are identified on stock container manufacturer labels and in Section 2 (Hazard Identification) of the material’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

NOTE: Requirements under OSHA's Laboratory Standard supersede labeling requirements in OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) for laboratories. Chemicals that do not fall under "laboratory use of chemicals" must be labeled per Hazard Communication requirements. Additionally, specific chemicals used under certain conditions may have more stringent labeling requirements under an OSHA Substance-Specific Standard.

Chemical labels for hazardous substances must include the following information:

• Full chemical or product name of all constituents typed or written legibly in English and with concentrations in percent included.
  • Abbreviations, molecular formulas, or chemical structures may not be used!
  • When a mixture or solution of multiple chemicals is present, concentrations should be denoted in volume-by-volume concentrations.
• Identity of the hazards using words, phrases, or pictograms from the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Refer to Section 2 of the material’s Safety Data Sheet for hazard identification.
• Month and year when contents were transferred to the container.
• Initials of the person who transferred the chemical to the container.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety has developed secondary chemical container label templates that include all required labeling elements. 

• Secondary chemical container label 1 – Avery 5963
• Secondary chemical container label 2 – Avery 5963
• Small secondary chemical container label – Avery 5366
• Ethanol labels – Avery 5363
• Isopropyl alcohol labels – Avery 5363 that include
• Methanol labels – Avery 5363
• Acetone labels – Avery 5363

Peroxide-forming chemicals require specialized labels with fields to record peroxide concentration testing. All containers of peroxide-forming chemicals must be labeled with the Tulane Peroxide-Forming Chemical label immediately upon receiving the chemical. Click here for more information about management of peroxide-forming chemicals. 

• Peroxide-Forming Chemical label - Avery 5963

Substance-Specific Labeling Requirements

Under OSHA's Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048), formalin, neutral buffered formalin (NBF), or formaldehyde gas at concentrations above 0.1% used in production environments (at Tulane, this means core labs) require more stringent labeling. Containers of tissues, organs, and specimens fixed in formalin or NBF, and any secondary containers of these chemicals stored and handled in core labs must use the following labels:  

• 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin labels – Avery 5963
• 10% Formalin labels – Avery 5963 
• Stock Formalin (37-40% Formaldehyde) labels – Avery 5963

Hazardous Waste Container Labeling 

Hazardous waste must be stored in appropriate containers, and original labels must be defaced (marked out completely) with a permanent marker. Hazardous waste container labeling requirements are similar to those for secondary containers of chemicals. However, Hazardous Waste Labels require an additional labeling element.

Hazardous Waste must have a completed Tulane Hazardous Waste Label displayed the moment waste is transferred to the container. These labels provide all required labeling elements for hazardous waste, which are:

• The words “Hazardous Waste,” typed or written in English, spelled correctly, and legible.
• Full chemical or product name of all constituents typed or written legibly in English and with concentrations in percent included.
  • Abbreviations, molecular formulas, or chemical structures may not be used!
  • When a mixture or solution of multiple chemicals is present, concentrations should be denoted in volume-by-volume concentrations.
• Hazards using words, phrases, or pictograms from the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Refer to Section 2 of the material’s Safety Data Sheet for hazard identification.
  • Tulane Hazardous Waste Labels contain checkboxes for hazards. Use the checkboxes to mark the hazards of all constituents in the container. 
• Principal Investigator’s name and department 
• Building and Room Number where the waste is located (where possible, provide detailed directions, such as "located under the fume hood on the left side of the lab")

Tulane Hazardous Waste Labels may be printed on Avery label #5963