Laboratory Door Cards
EHS-CEMS-SOP.07 rev.01
Effective Date: April 16, 2008
Revision Date:
1. Purpose and Applicability
1.1. This document provides procedures and guidance for maintaining the laboratory door
cards; The door cards can be accessed via the CEMS database
1.2. The lab card provides information to the users, as well as information for emergency
response personnel and the general public; Proper and updated information is essential
when an emergency occurs in a laboratory
1.2.1.
1.2.2.
1.2.3.
1.2.4.
Campus Emergency Phone Numbers
Hazards in the Laboratory
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required in the laboratory
Emergency Contact Information
2. Definitions
2.1. CEMS (Chemical Environmental Management System) – The door cards are
electronically stored in the CEMS web-based inventory database located at
www.umass.cems.sr.unh.edu
2.2. Laboratory Health and Safety Services – Administrator of the CEMS database which
includes maintaining the door cards; LH&SS is a sub group of Environmental Health and
Safety; Phone: (413-577-3633); The address of LH&SS is:
University of Massachusetts
Room 125 Lederle Graduate Research Tower
710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003
2.3. NFPA 704 Diamond – Visually presents information on three categories of hazards;
health, flammability, and self-reactivity, as well as the degree of severity of each hazard.
It also indicates reactivity with water and oxidizing ability. (See section 5.2 for further
information)
3. Roles and Responsibilities
3.1. Laboratory Health and Safety Services (LH&SS) –Reviews the lab cards for emergency
response accuracy; posts the lab cards on the database; prints and posts or forwards the
lab cards to the appropriate laboratory
3.2. Principal Investigator (PI) – Ultimately responsible for the correct information on the lab
card, especially that the emergency contact information is updated; The lab cards are
updated through the CEMS database and must be updated annually or sooner if there are
changes in the laboratory or emergency contact personnel
3.3. Research Staff (Graduate Students, Post Docs, Staff) – May update the lab door card
when authorized by the PI; He/She must have a CEMS account which is authorized by
his/her PI
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4. Procedures
4.1. Campus Emergency Phone
Numbers
4.1.1.
Ambulance/ Fire/Police 911 Tell
the dispatcher that your location is
at the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst.
Depending on what phone is used,
you may get the Campus Police,
Amherst Police or the State Police
4.1.2.
Environmental Health & Safety
413-545-2682
4.1.3.
Physical Plant 413-545-0600
4.1.4.
University Health Services 413577-5000
4.2. Informational Pictograms
4.2.1.
4.2.2.
4.2.3.
4.2.4.
4.2.5.
NFPA Diamond
 See Section 5.2 for NFPA
704 Diamond Information
 If at any point in time a
chemical is in the lab, the
diamond must be displayed in
the upper right corner in the
pictographs of the lab card;
0/0/0/- in the blue, red, and
yellow areas of the diamond, tell emergency responders that the chemicals are not the
main issue, rather than indicating that no information is available
 NOTE: The CEMS system automatically calculates the worst case NFPA for the
chemicals stored in the laboratory. If there are chemicals used but not stored in the
laboratories that are more severe than the listed NFPA , please use the worst case
scenario NFPA on the lab card
Eye Protection Required
 Indicated by the pair of safety glasses
 Required in most laboratories
 Permission NOT to wear safety glasses, must be approved by Environmental Health
and Safety (413-545-2682)
Biosafety Level 2, 3 or 4 labs must show the appropriate pictogram. BSL 1 labs do not
need to show the pictogram
Radiation, and Laser labs must show the appropriate pictograms
 Laser warning pictogram must be accompanied by the appropriate information
indicated by ANSI Z136.1-2000 (at a minimum the class, frequency and power of the
laser)
 “Caution! Radioactive Material” indicates an area where radiological contamination
may exist
 “Caution! X-ray Radiation” indicates a device which emits ionizing radiation when
energized
Do Not Drink the Water
 Indicated by a water faucet with an “X” through it
 Must be shown unless otherwise specified by Environmental Health & Safety; the
water in most labs is not potable (drinkable)
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4.2.6.
4.2.7.
4.2.8.
Pressurized cylinders “Cryogenic Liquid” or “Compressed Gas”
 If the room contains Cryogenic Liquids or Compressed Gases the appropriate
pictogram should be shown on the lab card
No Eating or Drinking
 Indicated by food symbols with a circle and slash through it
 Consumption of food or drink in the lab is strictly forbidden unless written permission is
provided by Environmental Health and Safety
Other pictograms that may be appropriate for the lab.
 See Section 5.3 for a listing of all available pictograms
 Contact Laboratory Health and Safety Services (577-3633) if you would like to display
a pictogram that is not currently available
 You do not need to use all of the spaces of the pictograms
4.3. Location make sure the information on the card matches the location on which it is
posted
4.4. Last Updated On


The card must be updated at least annually even if there are no changes
The card must be updated sooner if there are any changes that affect the card, especially the
emergency contacts
4.5. Additional Information / Special Instructions


List any specific information regarding the lab here
Additional contact personnel that may not fit on the emergency contact list may be listed
4.6. Spill Kit Location

Make sure the spill kit is stocked
4.7. Emergency Contacts
4.7.1.
4.7.2.
4.7.3.
4.7.4.
4.7.5.
In most cases the PI should be listed first
The order listed is the order EHS will contact in an emergency until someone is reached
All personnel listed should have an idea of what is going on in the lab or have further
information on who to contact
If the emergency contact has a CEMS account, click the button on the far left to upload
contact information. The contacts title will still need to be entered. If the contact
information needs to be updated please submit a request through CEMS (“Contact EHS”
on the top of your CEMS home page) or contact Laboratory Health and Safety Services
directly at 577-3633
Note that the lab cards are for emergency response, a complete list of personnel
authorized to be in the lab must also be maintained. All personnel using the lab must have
the appropriate training
4.8. CEMS Procedures
4.8.1.
4.8.2.
4.8.3.
Proceed to the CEMS home page <HOME> www.umass.cems.sr.unh.edu
See Section 5.1 if a CEMS account needs to be created or you forgot your password
Go to the SIGNS section. If this section does not appear on your CEMS home page either
an initial card needs to be created, there are no chemicals in the room, or you need to be
linked to the room. Please contact Laboratory Health and Safety Services at 577-3633.
Signs
all signs I am responsible for
please update or verify
-- location (date last verified) --
-- location (date last verified) --
4.8.4. Click the text box arrow for “all signs I am responsible for” to see all your lab cards and to
make any corrections; Click the “please update or verify” arrow to view those lab cards
that need to be updated or verified
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4.8.5. The lab card will be listed in the update or verify list until LH&SS prints the lab card
 Please note the date the card was updated
 Lab cards must be updated annually, or sooner if there are changes to the hazard
information, contact personnel or contact phone numbers
 It is most important that the research staff keep the electronic version updated as the
electronic version is used by first responders
4.8.6. Click on the lab and review the lab card
 If the lab card is correct click <sign is accurate>
 If the lab card has to be changed click <sign is NOT accurate>
 Make any changes and click <submit request>
4.8.7. LH&SS will also verify the lab card and post at the laboratory
4.8.8. Please contact Laboratory Health and Safety Services at 577-3633 if you are having any
trouble entering door card information
5. References
5.1. CEMS Account
5.1.1.





5.1.2.




New Account
Click on “sign in” link.
Click on “Name not on List? Request Account” link
Fill out form. Make sure you include all required fields in red
- “home phone” (cell phone, home phone, pager#) for emergency purposes only
- “Non Responsible Owners (e.g. grad students, post docs, staff) please provide the
name, phone number and email of your PI “supervisor”, whose inventory you wish to
access
The CEMS data manager will contact the responsible owner for authorization. Please
allow time for the CEMS administrators to process your request
You will receive a link via email to enter your password. Your name will now appear in the
drop down list
Forgot your password?
Go to CEMS home page
Click on <sign-in>
Click on <Forgot your password?> Follow directions
You will receive a link via email to enter your password. Your name will now appear in the
drop down list
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5.2. NFPA 704 Diamond Ratings
Health Hazard (blue)
4 – Lethal
Gases, liquids, vapor:
LC50≤1000ppm
Dusts & Mists:
LC50≤0.5mg/L
Materials:
Dermal LD50≤40mg/kg
Oral LD50≤5mg/kg
3 – Serious or Permanent Injury
Gases, liquids, vapor:
1000ppm<LC50≤3000ppm
Dusts & Mists:
0.5mg/L<LC50≤2mg/L
Materials:
Dermal 40mg/kg<LD50≤200mg/kg
Oral 5mg/kg<LD50≤50mg/kg
Corrosive to skin, eyes or respiratory tract
Fire Hazard (red)
4 – Class IA Extremely Flammable Liquid
or Flammable Gas
Flash point ≤ 73oF (22.8oC)
Instability Hazard (yellow)
4 – May detonate
Unstable at normal temperature
and pressure
3 – Class IB/1C Flammable
73oF (22.8oC) <Flash point ≤ 100oF (37.8oC)
3 – Shock and heat may
detonate
Requires initiation source;
Sensitive to thermal or
mechanical shock; Reacts
explosively with water with-out
heat or confinement.
2 – Class II/IIIA Combustible
100oF (37.8oC) <Flash point ≤ 200oF (93oC)
1 – Class IIIB Combustible if heated
Flash point > 200oF (93oC)
0 – Will not burn
2 – Temporary Incapacitation/Residual Injury
Gases, liquids, vapor:
3000ppm<LC50≤5000ppm
Dusts & Mists:
2mg/L<LC50≤10mg/L
Materials:
Dermal 200mg/kg<LD50≤1000mg/kg
Oral 50mg/kg<LD50≤500mg/kg
Skin, eye or respiratory tract irritants
1 – Unstable if heated
Reacts vigorously with water;
Changes or decomposes on
exposure to light, air, or
moisture; Unstable at elevated
temperatures and pressure.
0 – Stable
Stable under fire conditions; does
not react with water
1 – Significant Irritation
Gases, liquids, vapor:
5000ppm<LC50≤10,000ppm
Dusts & Mists:
10mg/L<LC50≤200mg/L
Materials:
Dermal 1000mg/kg<LD50≤2000mg/kg
Oral 500mg/kg<LD50≤2000mg/kg
Mild skin, eye or respiratory tract irritants
0 – No Health Hazard
Gases, liquids, vapor:
LC50>10,000ppm
Dusts & Mists:
LC50>200mg/L
Materials:
Dermal LD50>2000mg/kg
Oral LD50>2000mg/kg
Non-irritating to skin, eye or respiratory tract
2 – Violent chemical change
Reacts violently with water or
forms potentially explosive
mixtures with water; Undergoes
violent chemical change at
elevated temperature and
pressure.
Specific Hazards (white)
Includes symbols when the
following hazards are present
OX – Oxidizer
W – Water Reactive
P – May Polymerize
COR - Corrosive
NITRIC ACID
The diamond is divided into four sections. Each of the colored sections has a number in it associated with a particular
hazard. The higher the number, the more hazardous a material is for that characteristic. The white section includes
special hazard information. The door card represents the highest number for all chemicals combined.
Page 5 of 6
5.3. Available Pictograms
APPROPRIATE GLOVES REQUIRED
BIOSAFETY LEVEL ONE
BIOSAFETY LEVEL THREE
BIOSAFETY LEVEL TWO
CANCER HAZARD
CHEMICAL STORAGE AREA
CLEAN ROOM
COMBUSTIBLE
COMPRESSED GAS
CORROSIVE MATERIAL
CRYOGENIC LIQUID
DO NOT DRINK WATER
ELECTRICAL HAZARD
EXPLOSIVES
EXTREMELY TOXIC AGENT IN USE
EYE PROTECTION REQUIRED
FACE PROTECTION REQUIRED
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
FLAMMABLE GAS
FLAMMABLE LIQUID
FLAMMABLE SOLID
HEARING PROTECTION REQUIRED
HIGH PRESSURE
HIGH VOLTAGE (600 V. AC/DC)
INFECTIOUS AGENT (BL1)
INFECTIOUS AGENT (BL2)
INFECTIOUS AGENT (BL3)
INFECTIOUS WASTE
INSECTS
KEEP OUT
LABORATORY ANIMALS
LASER LIGHT (CLASS 1)
LASER LIGHT (CLASS 2)
LASER LIGHT (CLASS 3)
LASER LIGHT (CLASS 4)
MEDICAL WASTE
MERCURY
MERCURY VAPOR LAMP
MICROWAVE RADIATION
NO EATING OR DRINKING
NO FLAMMABLE SOLVENTS
NO HAZARDS
NO INSECTICIDES
NO OPEN TOE SHOES OR SANDALS
NO SMOKING
OXIDIZER
OXIDIZERS
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING REQUIRED
RADIATION AREA
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
RESTRICTED AREA
SAFETY EQUIPMENT (EYE &
SHOWER)
SAFETY SHOES REQUIRED
SATELLITE ACCUMULATION AREA
STRONG MAGNETIC FIELD
TOXIC CHEMICAL
TOXIC GAS
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
WATER REACTIVE
X-RAY
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