Transporting Biohazardous Materials

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This guideline outlines the proper procedures for transporting biohazardous agents and laboratory specimens within buildings and between buildings at TCU. Biohazardous agents and waste, including recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, must be packaged so that personal protective equipment (PPE) is not needed during transport. PPE should not be worn in public corridors.

This information is for moving biohazards to other research-related locations. Biohazards at TCU are not permitted to be taken off campus to a private residence or for other purposes not related to or approved for institutional use.

Within Building
When packing biohazardous agents for transportation within the same building but through public areas, the following guidelines apply:

1. Biohazardous agents including specimens of blood or other potentially infectious materials must be placed in a primary container that prevents leakage during transportation. A test tube, for example, is a primary container.
2. The primary container must be closed prior to being transported. The test tube, for example, must have a tight-fitting cap or the cap must be taped in place or otherwise secured.
3. Label the container with the PI name and room number.
4. The primary container must be placed in a leak-proof secondary container. The test tube, in this example, is placed in a sealable plastic bag.

Between Buildings
When biohazardous agents are transported between buildings, the following guidelines apply:

1. If using a motor vehicle for transport between buildings, only a TCU-owned and operated vehicle may be used.
2. Biohazardous agents, including specimens of blood or other potentially infectious materials, must be placed in a primary container that prevents leakage during transportation. A test tube, for example, is a primary container. 
3. The primary container must be closed prior to being transported. The test tube, for example, must have a tight-fitting cap or the cap must be taped in place or otherwise secured.
4. Label the container with the PI name and room number.
5. The primary container is placed within a leak-proof secondary container. The test tube, in this example, is placed in a sealable plastic bag. It is good practice to place absorbent material between the bag and tube to cushion the tube and absorb leakage from improperly sealed tubes. It is mandatory that absorbent material be used for items transported in a TCU-owned motor vehicle.
6. The packages are then placed in an outer transport container labeled with the biohazard label. This container can be a cardboard box with a Styrofoam liner, a cooler, or other sturdy transport container. 
7. If the material is not transported by the original packager, the outer transport container must show the following information in addition to the biohazard label:

• Identification of the material being transported (e.g., human blood, animal blood, cultures, etc.)
• The name, department, building, box number, and phone number of the receiving party
• The name and phone number of the sender
• The date sent

Shipping Biohazardous Material
For shipping biohazardous materials, including infectious substances, contact Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) at safety@tcu.edu or 817-257-5395. 

Anyone involved in packaging, shipping, or preparing paperwork for the shipment of biohazardous materials, including infectious substances, must have task-specific training:

1. Prior to beginning the assignment
2. Re-train every two years

Resources & Forms
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
U.S. Department of Transportation - Transporting Infectious Substances Safely

Training
To legally ship hazardous biological materials you must complete International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) training. This training must be renewed every two years as long as you are shipping and receiving materials. Contact EHS at safety@tcu.edu for additional information.