Requirements for Transporting Hazardous Materials Inside and Between Campus Buildings

Learn the proper way to transport hazardous materials inside and between campus buildings only.

Research projects often require movement of hazardous materials through public access ways in order to use critical facilities and equipment. Strict requirements govern anyone moving hazardous materials through spaces such as corridors, elevators and public sidewalks.

Important: These procedures only apply to the movement of hazardous materials within a building or between adjacent campus buildings. If hazardous materials require movement off-campus or require use of public roads, refer to Hazardous Shipping.

Hazardous materials include chemical, biological, radioactive and physical materials that present a risk to people or property from their inherent nature. Materials presenting a physical hazard are primarily comprised of compressed gas cylinders that have contents under pressure or extreme temperatures.

High-risk hazardous materials are those that present an unacceptable risk to persons involved in transport and persons in non-laboratory areas along the transport route. These materials cannot be transported within campus without proper approvals. If movement is required, contact Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), Research Safety Office. High-risk hazardous materials includes:

• Explosive
• Pyrophoric
• Water Reactive
• Shock sensitive materials
• BSL 3 agents
• Radioactive Materials – contact your Health Physicist for guidance on safe movement

Researchers must be fully aware of the hazards of the materials they are transporting – this includes reviewing Safety Data Sheets (SDS), if applicable.

Required Training

All researchers who handle hazardous materials are required to complete and remain current with all required laboratory safety training. This includes the completion of initial training and all required refresher courses.

See Laboratory Safety Training.

Training and certification is required for departments to ship Biological Substances/Dry Ice (49CFR 172.700). To register for the online training and certification course log into UC Learning and search for "Shipping Biological Substance and Dry Ice." After you complete the course and pass the test you will be certified to transport or ship Biological Substances and Dry Ice for two years.

Selection of Appropriate Secondary Containment for Transfer

When transporting hazardous materials through public spaces, it is critical that secondary containment is provided for the material. The purpose of the secondary container is to prevent spills of or exposure to the material during transport.

The selected container should meet all these criteria:

• Easily cleanable
• Can be closed
• Break-resistant
• Volume is equal to 110% or greater of the hazardous material transported

Utilize carts when possible to reduce the chances of dropping material. Cart use does not negate the requirement for use of a secondary container.

Moving the Materials

These requirements apply to the movement of hazardous materials:

• Secondary containment is required.
• Never leave materials unattended at any time.
• Gloved hands are not to contact any surface outside of the lab. Secondary containers should be decontaminated by laboratory personnel as necessary prior to movement to pre-empt the need for gloves.
• Utilize freight elevators when possible. If not possible, advise other passengers of the presence of hazardous materials prior to their entering the passenger elevator.
• Have an appropriate spill kit available during the material movement.

Before moving material, choose a route that minimizes risk to others. Considerations to make include not passing through break or lunch areas.

Requirements for Compressed and Liquefied Gas

When transporting compressed gas cylinders, the cylinder must be chained to a suitable gas cylinder hand truck and the valve must be protected with a cover cap. Gas cylinders must never be left unattended.

When transporting cylinders or tanks in an elevator, additional passengers are prohibited. See the Transporting Compressed Gas for details about moving these materials.

Requirements for Biohazardous Materials

Biohazardous materials including human specimens, arthropods, infectious agents, etc. must be triple packaged for transport between buildings. Packaging must include:

1. Primary container with biohazardous materials.
2. Absorbent material – Enough to absorb the volume of liquid in the primary container.
3. Secondary container – Leak proof with a lid and a biohazard sticker. Some examples can include a sealed plastic bag or container with a secured lid.
4. Triple container with biohazard sticker – This can be a cooler or a cardboard box. If using dry ice, ensure the lid is not air-tight to allow for gas exchange.

Once the material is packaged, hand carry the package using campus property from one building to the next. If movement requires the use of an off-campus public road, contact Outbound Shipping.

Requirements for Biohazardous Waste

You must transport biohazardous waste in double red bags held in rigid, closed, leak-proof containers with biohazard labels on the top and side. Biohazardous waste must be under direct control of the laboratory responsible for the waste until it is placed in an EH&S approved storage area.

Hand carrying bags or bags on open carts are strictly prohibited. Bags must be transported in secondary containers with closed lids.