Hazardous Materials Shipping
GeneralThe US Department of Transportation (DOT) has detailed regulations related to the shipment of hazardous materials. Stiff penalties can result from failure to abide by these regulations. It is crucial to properly package and ship hazardous materials. All personnel involved in packing shipments of hazardous materials must be properly trained and certified. For these reasons, only qualified EHS personnel can ship hazardous materials from the University of Utah.
Hazardous Materials Defined
Hazardous materials, for the purpose of transportation, are those in one or more of the following groups:
- Explosive materials
- Gases
- Flammable liquids
- Combustible liquids
- Flammable and/or water-reactive solids
- Oxidizers
- Poisonous materials
- Infectious materials
- Radioactive materials (These are handled by Radiological Health, not EHS)
- Corrosive materials
- Miscellaneous hazardous materials
Prior to the shipment date, EHS must be contacted to arrange the shipment. We require that you notify EHS of your need to ship ATLEAST three days ahead of when you need it shipped. Fill out the Hazardous Materials Shipment Request form completely and submit the request by clicking on the “Submit to EHS” button on the bottom of the form. Please fill out the form completely; failure to do so will result in delay of shipment.
Requestor Responsibilities
To have hazardous materials shipped you must:
- Use safe containers. Please package hazardous materials properly for transport by EHS. This includes using containers with airtight lids. Corks, cotton plugs, tape, or parafilm are not acceptable lids. The outside of the containers must be clean and free of chemical contamination
- Ensure all containers are accurately labeled with exact names as well as exact contents (including percentages of each chemical if it is a mixture).
- Fill out a Hazardous Materials Shipment Request form. Please make sure that all sections are filled out accurately and completely; failure to do so will result in delay of shipment.
- Label chemicals to be shipped with shipment request form receipt. Please place copies of the request form receipt onto chemicals to be shipped. This ensures EHS will be able to locate chemicals to be shipped while in your lab for pickup.
- EHS will pickup the chemicals from your lab and process them for shipment.
This includes:
Proper identification and classification of the material
Choosing appropriate, certified packaging
Completing the required shipping documents
Affixing the appropriate, required labels/markings
Arranging for a qualified shipping company to ship - Once shipment has been completed, EHS will notify requestor by email. This email will include the tracking number for the shipment.