Shipping Hazardous Materials

Pile of shipping boxes

The packaging, documentation and transportation of Hazardous Materials and/or Dangerous Goods by air, ground, or water is highly regulated by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) , International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) .  In order to perform any function associated with the transportation of Hazardous Materials or Dangerous Goods, individuals must be trained.  These regulations are aimed at preventing transportation accidents and at protecting the public through a variety of administrative and physical controls.  These federal regulations also apply to inter-campus shipments (e.g.; CUMC to CU, Nevis to LDEO) on public roadways.

Researchers planning to send a shipment that may contain a hazardous material must first determine the nature of the hazard.  EH&S has developed resources which can be used as a starting point for determining the proper shipping procedures required for shipping a hazardous material (e.g.; radioactive materials, infectious substances, or chemicals) and subsequently what steps should be taken to begin the shipping process.   Based on the results of a preliminary classification, researchers may be directed to complete specialized training(s) prior to offering shipments of certain dangerous goods such as dry ice or limited categories of biological materials to carriers, or researchers may be required to complete the Intent to Ship Hazardous Materials Form and submit it to EH&S for further instruction