Individuals who package, ship or transport Hazardous Materials or Dangerous Goods
(HM/DG) shippers must comply with all of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT), the International Air Transportation Association (IATA),
other approved carriers, and regulatory agencies. Only properly trained and documented
University/Hospital HM/DG shippers are allowed to ship or transport hazardous materials.
To schedule training, contact EH&S. All HM Hazardous Materials or Dangerous Goods (HM/DG) shippers must complete EOS016/051
(Main Campus) or EUH008 (Hospital) Shipping of Dangerous Goods Training. First-time
trainees must complete the in-person EOS016/EUH008 training. For subsequent training,
they may take either the in-person EOS016 or EOS051 training. EH&S coordinates the
in-person training.
Required to take this training are individuals who package, ship or transport hazardous
materials or dangerous goods (HM/DG) including, but not limited to:
Dry ice
Infectious and/or diagnostic specimens
Flammable
Combustible
Corrosive
Reactive
Oxidizing
Toxic
Radioactive
Infectious
Lithium batteries
This training must be renewed every two years in accordance with International Air
Transport Association (IATA) regulatory standards. EH&S shall maintain training records.
Federal Regulations state that anyone wishing to ship dry ice must first have International
Air Transport Association (IATA)/Department of Transportation (DOT) training. If you
are going to package dry ice for shipment, or sign any type of shipping documentation
(such as a FedEx Airbill) for a dry ice shipment, you must complete Shipping of Dangerous
Goods Training. These are the six basic requirements for shipments of dry ice:
Gas venting: Packages must allow for release of carbon dioxide gas. Dry ice must never
be sealed in a container with an airtight seal such as a jar with a threaded lid or
a plastic cooler.
Package integrity: A package containing dry ice must be of adequate strength for intended
use. It must be strong enough to withstand the loading and unloading normally encountered
in transport. It must also be constructed and closed in order to prevent any loss
of contents that might be caused by vibration or by changes in temperature, humidity,
or altitude.
Package materials: Do not use plastics that can be rendered brittle or permeable by
the temperature of dry ice. This problem can be avoided by using commercially available
packages intended to contain dry ice (carbon dioxide).
Inner packaging materials: Depending on what is being shipped, containers, equipment,
glass item(s), material etc... must be properly packed and/or secured in an outer,
appropriate, durable material specific packaging in such a way that, under normal
conditions of transport, they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into
the outer packaging and so as to control their movement. Cushioning shall be used
for breakable items. Any potential for leakage of contents must not substantially
impair the protective properties of the cushioning material, or the outer packaging.
Absorbent material cannot react with the contents of the container.
Dry ice should not be placed in a pressure tight enclosure that would prohibit pressure
relief.
Absorbent material is not required if the inner packaging's are so protected that
breakage of them and the leakage of their contents from the outer package will not
occur during normal conditions of transport.
Airbill: the airbill (also referred to as the air waybill) must include the statement
“Dry ice, 9, UN1845, number of packages X net weight in kilograms.” FedEx has a check
box on their airbill to satisfy this requirement. Airborne Express requires a slightly
different format. Check with your courier to make sure you have made the proper notation
on their paperwork.
Labeling: the outermost container must be labeled with a hazard class 9 label, UN
1845, and net weight of Dry Ice in kilograms. The label should be affixed to a vertical
side of the box (not the top or bottom) and oriented as in Figure 1. The maximum allowable
net quantity of dry ice allowed per package is 200 kg.
Additional requirements for preparing your dry ice shipments:
DO fill any empty space in your package with appropriate packing material to prevent
product movement in transit.
DO wrap temperature sensitive products in two watertight plastic bags or use absorbent
material along with a plastic liner.
DO avoid shipping temperature sensitive products over the weekend.
DO wrap the refrigerant in paper or another carton to slow the melting rate and prevent
excess space when using dry ice.
DO NOT place the refrigerant at the bottom of the package because cold air will not
circulate.
