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Dangerous Goods, or Hazardous Materials, also known as HazMat, are articles or
substances which are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the
environment and which are shown in the list of Dangerous Goods IATA regulations, or in
the HazMat table for 49CFR.

Although we strive to ensure that the information is current and accurate we remind you
that it is the employers responsibility to train and test their employees on these
regulations. Anyone who is involved with shipping Dangerous Goods must follow them. The
US Government can assess substantial penalties for violations of these regulations. The
IATA Dangerous Goods guidelines and the 49CFR regulations can help you prepare a
specimen for shipment.

Keep in mind, there are numerous regulations that change all the time. One person cannot
remember all the regulations, so don’t be afraid to ask or call someone if you are unsure.

Every mode of transportation has its own rules we must follow in addition to the legal
regulations. They are related to specimen classification, packaging, labeling,
documentation, and the proper training of staff. This presentation covers each of these
topics in detail.

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Dangerous goods must be classified into the correct hazard class. There are 9 hazard
classes. If a hazard class is wide in scope, it may be divided into additional divisions. For
training purposes, you should know all 9 hazard classes exist, but generally, you will only
use 2 of these hazard classes when shipping medical specimens.

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Infectious substances fall under Class 6, Division 6.2.

Dry ice falls under Class 9, Miscellaneous.

When preparing a specimen for shipping you must know the hazard class to complete the
packaging and documentation correctly.

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In addition to the 9 hazard classes most hazardous substances are further assigned to a
packing group.

The 3 packing groups indicate the degree of hazard the substance presents.

For training purposes, you should know the packing groups exist, however when shipping
medical specimens you will not need to refer to a packing group, as neither 6.2 Category A
or B are assigned to a packing group.
• You must specify a packing group if you ship an acid, corrosive, or flammable substance

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Infectious substances are known or are reasonably expected to contain pathogens.
Infectious substances are classified in Division 6.2.

Class 6, Division 6.2 Infectious substances are divided into two categories:
• Category A, Infectious
• Category B, Biological Substance

Rules for packaging and shipping are determined by how an infectious substance is
categorized.

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Category A is an infectious substance transported in a form that, when exposure to it
occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease to
humans or animals.

Note: An exposure occurs when an infectious substance is released outside of the protective
packaging, resulting in physical contact with humans or animals.

• 49 CFR and IATA require a Hazard Class 6 label

• IATA packing instruction 620
• The proper shipping name is “Infectious substance Affecting Humans”

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Category B is an infectious substance, referred to as a biological substance, that does not
meet the criteria for Category A.
• 49 CFR and IATA require a UN3373 marking
• IATA packing instruction 650
• The proper shipping name is “Biological substance, Category B”

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How do you know if a substance is Category A, Infectious or Category B, Biological?
• It is the responsibility of the laboratory staff to classify the specimen.
• This slide lists some examples of Category A, Infectious or Category B, Biological
substances.

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The proper shipping name for Category A is “Infectious Substance, affecting humans.”
When the infectious substances to be transported are unknown but suspected of meeting
the criteria for inclusion in Category A, the technical name is “Suspected Category A
Infectious Substance.” Per IATA regulations, if there is doubt as to whether or not a
substance meets the criteria, it must be included in Category A.

This slide lists Category A, Infectious examples from IATA regulations.

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Using or transferring Select Agents from, to, or within the United States are found in 42CFR,
Parts 73.0 through 73.21. Most diagnostic testing laboratories would not be involved with
these agents and toxins. Thus, it is beyond the scope of this presentation to cover this
material. Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control website: www.cdc.gov for more
information.

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IATA classifies patient specimens for which there is minimal likelihood that pathogens are
present as “Exempt Human Specimens.” Examples include:
• Dried blood spots
• Blood or blood components that have been collected for the purpose of transfusion
• Blood or urine tests to monitor cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, or hormone
levels
• Tests conducted for insurance or employment purposes to determine the presence of
drugs or alcohol
• Pregnancy tests

The classification of “Exempt Human Specimen” applies only to shipments by aircraft. The
US Department of Transportation considers these samples to be outside of their
regulations and thus does not assign them a classification at all.

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Cultures are the result of a process by which pathogens are intentionally propagated to
enable identification of the organism. As such, the risk of infection is increased if exposure
occurs to the growing pathogen.

Cultures can be classified as Category A, Infectious or Category B, Biological Substance:

• Any culture intended for the intentional generation of pathogens as well as any culture
shipped for identification purposes must be shipped as Category A, Infectious.
• Cultures can be shipped as Category B, Biological if they are not intended for the
intentional generation of pathogens and are not found in the Category A list in the IATA
regulations.

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Packing category A requires a UN certified packaging:

It is a combination packaging consisting of inner and outer containers that have passed a
series of tests required, including puncture, drop and stacking test, by IATA and DOT. They
are tested as a combination package so it is illegal to ship them individually. You must
always use the appropriate combination of containers to ensure UN-certification.

• The triple packaging consists in a leak-proof primary and secondary packaging and a
rigid outer packaging of adequate strength for its capacity
• Ambient temperature samples must be shipped in a primary container made of glass,
metal or plastic and must have positive means of closure such as a heat seal, metal
crimp seal, tape, depending on the type of tube
• The primary or secondary must withstand 95kPa of pressure and temperatures
between -40˚F and +130˚F
• You cannot consolidate Category A with any other specimen types

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How to properly pack a Category A sample:
• The sample must be packed in a leak-proof primary container, place the tube in the bubble wrap
bag and inside the plastic can. You can fit up to 2 samples per plastic can.
• The secondary packaging is our color coded bag. It must contain enough absorbent material
between primary and secondary to soak up the entire contents of the bag. You may also include
an itemized list of what is being shipped. The list will have to be between the secondary and the
outer packaging.
• You must use a box big enough to accommodate all the proper markings and labels for the
contents of the box. They cannot overlap, be obscured or folded over a corner. If there are
previous labels or markings on the box, they must be completely removed or blacked out before
reuse.
• Properly seal the box with tape in a way that it won’t open in transit. It is important that the
samples arrive in good condition without presenting a hazard to the public.

The necessary markings on the box are:

• Proper shipping name – Infectious Substance Affecting Humans – UN2814
• Infectious Substance class 6 label
• Show markings of UN certified box
• Name and address of shipper and recipient
• A person responsible for the shipment must be indicated in the box with permanent marker
• Shippers Declaration
• If the specimen is liquid, orientation arrows are required on opposite sides of the box
• If you are shipping over 50 ml or grams of Category A, the box must also be marked with a
cargo-only aircraft label

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When packing microbiology cultures both Category A, Infectious and Category B, Biological
should be sent in a MML supplied secondary container. Doing so ensures the safety of lab
personnel.

The process of packing the samples is the same as showed before on Category A, with the
addition of the blue “C” label sticker (one on the bag, one on the styro lid, and one on the
outside of the box). If you have a courier pick up, they will take care of labeling the styro
and box.

You can combine Category B Cultures with other Category B samples types, same for
category A, but you cannot combine Category A with Category B. Each Category has their
own UN number and different markings and requirements.

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Packing Category B does not require a UN certified box.
• Samples must be triple packaged with a leak proof primary receptacle containing no
more than 1 liter in the vial.
• It must contain enough absorbent material to soak up the entire contents of the bag, as
well as a leak proof secondary packaging, which is our color-coded bag.
• If your vials are fragile, you must individually wrap them to prevent breaking during
transit.
• Primary and secondary must withstand 95kPa or pressure and temperatures between -
40 and 130 degree Fahrenheit without leakage.
• Include an itemized list of on contents between the secondary and outer packaging.
• The badge can be used as the itemized list.
• A rigid outer packaging, in our case, the Styrofoam berry box combination.
• The outer package must contain no more than 4 liters, excluding dry ice.
• The package must pass a drop test, as described in IATA’s 6.5.4.4 from the height of 4
feet or 1.2 meters.

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How to properly pack a Category B sample:

The package for Category B must have 3 components:

1. Primary receptacle
2. Secondary packaging
3. Rigid outer packaging

• Place the tubes inside the color-coded bag with enough absorbent material.
• Add an itemized list of contents inside the pouch, and place the bag inside the berry box.
• Properly seal the box with tape in a way that it won’t open in transit for the safety of all
personnel handling the box.
• You must use a diamond shape UN3373 label with the following description: Biological
Substance Category B
• Name and address of shipper and recipient.
• A personal responsible for the shipment must be indicated on the box with permanent
marker.
• If your specimen needs to be shipped on dry ice, use a dry ice label.
• The label must include weight of dry ice marked in kilograms.
• If the specimen is liquid, orientation arrows are required on opposite sides of the box.
• Since most of our shipments contain liquids, our boxes are preprinted with these
arrows.

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If you send your specimens by US Mail, follow the Post Office’s Dangerous Goods
regulation. They closely follow the DOT regulations in 49 CFR, but may include additional
restrictions. If you send your specimens by air, follow the IATA/ICAO Dangerous goods
regulations. When shipping by ground, follow the DOT regulations in 49CFR.

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If you operate your own private courier system or contract with a dedicated contract
courier:
• Follow the DOT regulations for all Category A, Infectious substances.
• For Category B, Biological substances by ground, you are exempt from DOT regulations
as long as the motor vehicle is used exclusively to transport such materials.
• Substances exempt from DOT regulations must still follow OSHA requirements, as stated
in 29 CFR. This includes placing biohazard labels on at least one of the containers.

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To ship legally and safely, it is important to identify correctly on your package and
paperwork the substance you are shipping.
• You must use the proper shipping name when shipping. The proper shipping name is a
standard name used to identify the article or substance on the outside of the package
and on the Shipper’s Declaration Form.
• In the case of an infectious substance, you must know the technical name of the
substance as well. The technical name is a recognized chemical name–currently used in
scientific and technical handbooks, texts, or journals–which must accompany the proper
shipping name when indicated in the IATA or DOT regulations.

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Dangerous Goods regulations in both 49 CFR and IATA indicate when a substance requires a
technical name:
• In IATA, substances followed by a bold star (*) need a technical name included in the
documentation.
• In 49 CFR, substances marked by the letter “G” in column 1 need a technical name.

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When shipping Category A, Infectious substances, a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous
Goods is required:
• The Shipper’s Declaration describes the contents of the consignment. By signing the
shippers declaration, the shipper declares the consignment is classified, packaged,
marked, and labeled according to international and national government regulations.
• If this form is filled out incorrectly in any way, your shipment will be rejected. At least
two copies of the declaration must be given to the airline.
• You must retain a copy of the Shipper’s Declaration for two years.

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Complete an airway bill for every shipment:
• An airway bill is the only requirement for Category B, Biological substances
• Each airline has its own airway bill

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Employee training is an important element when shipping dangerous goods
• It is the duty of each Hazmat employer to provide training and ensure each Hazmat
employee is tested on the training subjects covered
• If you are audited by the FAA, your training records are typically evaluated first.
• Training requirements state that an employee may only be certified in areas in which
they can successfully perform their duties.
• Training is required within 90 days of employment for all laboratory employees who ship
dangerous goods. Earlier training is recommended.
• Self-training is acceptable as long as it meets the requirements of Security Awareness
Training, as described in the next few slides.
• Training must include general familiarization, function-specific information, safety
training, and security awareness training.
• Training must be repeated every 2 years per IATA, every 3 years per 49 CFR

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Accurate training records must be retained in the event of an audit:
• In general, these records must include: the employee’s name, the most recent training
completion date, and a description or copy of the training materials used, such as a copy
of this presentation.
• A test that ensures the employee can perform the assigned duties in compliance with
the regulations is required. No specific format must be used, however. Training and
testing may be accomplished in a variety of ways—performance, written, verbal, or a
combination. Once the test is completed, a copy of the certification issued must be
retained.

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Security Awareness Training is required for all employees who ship dangerous goods:
• Fulfills the requirements of 49 CFR 172.704 (a)(4)
• Required within 90 days of employment
• Recommended as soon as possible

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Security Awareness Training must include:
• Risks of transporting dangerous goods.
• Methods of enhancing transport security.
• Ways to recognize security risks.
• Steps for responding to security threats.

The US Department of Transportation has training materials available to satisfy these

requirements. Use the link provided to access the Security Awareness Training website.

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Per 49 CFR, employees must be knowledgeable in emergency response information for all
infectious substances. This includes:
• Proper shipping name of the substance, “Infectious Substance Affecting Humans.”
• Technical name of the substance.
• Telephone number for use in the event of an accident or other emergency.
• Ensure the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods or the shipping paper is stored in
the vehicle when transporting by ground carrier. Three copies of the Shipper’s
Declaration for Dangerous Goods must be included when transporting by air.

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Employees can protect themselves when shipping dangerous goods by:
• Participating in training--including the employer’s lab safety training, OSHA training, and
Employee Right to Know training.
• Wearing gloves at all times.
• Treating all spills as infectious substances.

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If you have questions about transporting your specimen, contact the Mayo Medical
Laboratories Transportation Department by phone or email.

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