HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SHIPPING

AWARENESS

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University of Alaska FairbanksEnvironmental Health, Safety, & Risk ManagementSeptember 2010

Scope of training This training is intended to provide

awareness training for anyone who may:Receive hazardous materialsBe asked to transport hazardous

materials for researchers and students

Be asked to send samples and materials to researchers at other institutions

Be asked to send materials to field sites or other off-campus locations

NOTE: This training does not qualify you to ship hazardous materials.

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Purpose of training The purpose of the training is to

provide a basic level of awareness of hazardous materials and their transportation.

This is necessary in order for you to understand what can and cannot be sent via:The U.S. Postal ServiceFedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.Alaska AirlinesNorthern Air Cargo, Wright Air

Service, etc. 3

Transport of hazardous materials The transport of hazardous materials

(hazmat) is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Anyone offering hazmat for transportation must comply with DOT regulations.

Penalties for failing to comply with the rules are steep:$50,000 for each violation of the

Hazardous Materials RegulationsUp to $250,000 and up to a year jail

sentence for individuals. Up to $500,000 per incident for

organizations.4

They are not kidding around… An Indiana company was fined $59,500 for

shipping six 64 oz. bottles of formaldehyde via FedEx.

A Georgia company was fined $84,000 for shipping an 8 oz. bottle of “Ink-Off”, a flammable liquid containing methanol, via UPS.

An Indiana company was fined $60,000 for shipping four 1-pint containers of rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) via UPS.

Home Depot was fined $60,000 for shipping a portable generator containing gasoline via UPS.

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A word about the U.S. Postal Service… You CANNOT ship hazardous materials

using the United States Postal Service. It does not matter how small the

quantity… if it is hazardous, do not mail it.

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“Persons who knowingly mail items or materials that are dangerous or injurious to life, health, or property in violation of 39 USC 3018 may be liable for a civil penalty of at least $250, but not more than $100,000 for each violation; the cost of any cleanup associated with each violation, and damages.”

How might I encounter hazardous materials in my job? Personnel in your department may

order hazardous materials from time to time. These items may come through your office.It is helpful to know what the stickers on

the box mean.You may be asked to ship them to another

location or to a field site. Researchers in your department may

want to send samples or materials to another institution, and ask you to ship them. 8

How can I identify hazardous materials? If you see boxes with any stickers that

look like any of the ones shown on the following slides, then the box contains hazardous materials.

Typically the stickers are diamond-shaped.

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Explosive materials

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Miscellaneous materials and Cargo Aircraft Only

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Note: A package with a “Cargo Aircraft Only” sticker (like the orange one on the right) will also have one or more additional stickers to identify the type of hazardous material.

Flammable liquids, solids, and dangerous when wet

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Gases

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Peroxides, corrosives, and radioactive material

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Poisons, toxins, infectious agents, and irritants

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Excepted quantity hazardous materials

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This is another type of label that you might see on a box of hazardous materials.

Typically, where the single asterisk is located, you will see a number, such as “3”, or “6”, or “5”. That is the hazard class for the material that is in the box. It is not important that you know what the number means.

You just need to remember that this sticker means that there are hazardous materials in the box.

What should I do? If anyone asks you to ship samples

for them, or to forward boxes containing hazardous materials for them, DON’T DO IT!

Instead, ask for assistance from someone who is certified to ship hazardous materials.

The Dangerous Goods Regulations for transport are long and complicated. This training does not provide you with sufficient knowledge to ship hazardous materials. Ask for help.

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Who can help me? Your department Chemical Hygiene Officer

or Safety Coordinator may be trained and able to assist you.

Contact EHS&RM if you are unable to find someone in your department who is trained and certified.474-6771 (Tracey Martinson)474-5617 (Richard Deck)474-2762 (Thadd Williamson)

Complete the UAF Hazmat Shipping Request form:http://www.uaf.edu/safety/hazardous-materials/

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What if I’m not sure? Question: Someone may bring you

a box and ask you to ship it. There might not be any labels on the box. How do you know whether or not it contains hazardous materials?

Answer: You need to ask the person what is in the box, and whether or not the items might be considered hazardous materials.If the person is unsure, have them contact EHS&RM and ask for clarification. A $250,000 fine is not worth taking a chance!

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Examples of hazardous materials Hazardous materials include:

Bear spray, pepper sprayGlue, epoxy resinsColeman fuelAcetone, ethanol, isopropanolBatteries (lead acid, lithium)Ice augers, chainsawsDry ice, liquid nitrogenFormalinOther chemicals, including pesticides

This list is not exhaustive. Ask for assistance if you are unsure about any item.

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Thank you!

If you have any questions, please contact

Tracey Martinson tamartinson@alaska.edu 474-

6771

http:://www.uaf.edu/safety21