Hazardous Shipping/Transportation

University Policy

The University's general policy on the shipment of hazardous materials is stated in the Business Policy and Procedure 7.040 (http://bppm.missouri.edu/):

"No package containing a hazardous material shall be shipped or offered for shipment from or by the University of Missouri-Columbia without expressed approval by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety"

The Department of Transportation regulates the transport of hazardous materials in commerce. Hazardous materials are "in commerce" when they are offered to commercial carriers for shipment. The regulations require that anyone who participates in the transportation of hazardous materials be trained, tested, and certified in their duties. This is accomplished at MU by EHS overseeing individual shipments as they are prepared, or by EHS providing training to campus personnel who participate in shipping.

Some Potentially Hazardous Materials in Transport

Some materials are restricted for transport by any mode of transportation; some are restricted only when shipped by a certain mode, such as air. The following are materials which may be restricted for transport.

• Substances that cause disease in humans or animals
• Human or animal specimens sent for diagnostic or investigational purposes
• Dry ice, liquid nitrogen
• Genetically modified organisms or microorganisms
• Tissue fixative solutions
• Gas cylinders
• Flammable, corrosive, toxic, or oxidizing materials
• Chemicals being returned to manufacturer

Transport on Campus

MU can, in certain circumstances, transport hazardous materials between campus locations without adhering to the full regulatory requirements that are otherwise in effect when transporting in commerce. Call (573) 882-3736, or email for complete information on transporting between campus locations.

Current Shipping Training Offered by EHS

• Dry Ice Shipping
• Infectious Substance Shipping
• Certain Small Quantity Shipments
• Regulated Medical Waste Shipping