Working with plants in a greenhouse, growth chamber, or lab space? Appropriate signage may be required. EH&S has released newly updated signage to improve hazard communication in greenhouse spaces.
Why is signage for plant spaces important?
Posting biosafety signage:
- describes entry requirements for researchers and staff.
- communicates the presence of recombinant or infectious materials that should not be released into the environment, including materials that could harm plants, animals or people.
- limits access to personnel who are permitted to enter.
- provides contact information for the materials inside the space.
As a reminder, if you perform research activities with plants that require a biosafety protocol, the following signage should be posted:
- Greenhouse: BSL1-P Greenhouse sign or BSL2-P Greenhouse sign
- Walk-in growth chamber or laboratory space containing plants handled at BSL1-P: Laboratory Emergency Information door card
- Walk-in growth chamber or laboratory space containing plants handled at BSL2-P: BSL-2 sign and Laboratory Emergency Information door card
- Reach-in growth chamber located in a shared space: The growth chamber should be labeled with the PI/Laboratory name and contact information. A Laboratory Emergency Information door card should be posted at the entrance to the space and, if applicable, a BSL-2 sign should be posted at the entrance to the space.
The Office of Biological Safety has many signs available on our website. If you need specific signage or modified signage, contact biosafety@fpm.wisc.edu or 608-263-2037. We are here to help!
by Karen Demick and Megan Dixon
Karen Demick is a Biosafety Specialist on the IBC and Laboratory Operations team. She joined EH&S in 2011 and supports the research community through reviewing biosafety protocols and outreach to laboratories.
Megan Dixon is a Biosafety Specialist on the IBC and Laboratory Operations team. She joined EH&S in 2024 and supports the research community through reviewing biosafety protocols and outreach to laboratories.
It’s Biosafety and Biosecurity Month 2026! Look out for more biosafety topics each week in October.
Safety has no season!
This year’s Biosafety Month theme is “Safety has no season!”
Learn about the latest biological safety updates that impact labs like yours on the UW–Madison campus, and print the flyer to help spread the word.
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