Re: Caution vs. Danger vs. Warning

["Patrick D. Beyer" <pbeyer@post.its.mcw.edu>]

On Wed, 28 Sep 1994, Keith wrote:

> (1) Don't the reg's "require" the use of the rad symbol on such a posting?

No they don't


> (2) The words on the sign are supposed to prevent the confusion you mentioned, 
> aren't they?

Words are very tricky things, they must be read to be understood. People 
who are busy thinking of other things (thier research, the Green Bay 
Packers, how thier spouse drives them nuts...) normally don't take the 
time to think of such mundane things as meeting the requirements of 
regulations or give it very minimal thought. So it falls to use to healp 
them through thier stupor by making things as idiot proof as possible. 
Case in point, I had a call from a core lab that found a box of some 
mystery substance that was labeled "Caution Radiaoctive Materials" and 
were concerned about it. Upon my investigation, I found a 5 gallon jug of 
Formalin that a researcher had put caution RAM tape on it just so no-one 
else would use it! This researcher new better but his brain must have 
been disconnected at that point (probalb;y thinking great scientific 
thoughts). 

 (3) Why are you worried about the confused (stupid) people that 
> might misinterpret the sign; are they the ones who will use the unsealed 
> sources (I hope not), or are you just concerned with not giving them the wrong
> impression about the hazards in the room?  If it's the first thing, you have my
> sympathy, if it's the second thing, then I'm back to question 2.
> 

Thanks I need all the sympathy I can get......

Pat Beyer
Medical College of Wisconsin