Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 209.0

Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Shipping and Transportation

This policy is applicable to the shipping and transportation of all items defined as hazardous materials and dangerous goods EXCEPT for radioactive materials. NO ONE EXCEPT THE UNIVERSITY RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER SHALL SHIP OR TRANSPORT ANY RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL. For assistance with radiological materials contact the Radiation Safety Officer at 479-575-5448.

It is the policy of the University of Arkansas that all hazardous materials and dangerous goods shipped/transported from, to or, within its campus shall be properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by federal, state and, if applicable, international laws.

The terms “hazardous materials” and “dangerous goods” may be used interchangeably and are similarly defined as any item or agent (biological, chemical, or physical) that has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors.

Shipping and transportation of hazardous materials and dangerous goods within the United States is governed by Title 49 of the United States Code and, in most cases, compliance is managed through the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), regulating the transportation of materials within the United States, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), regulating the transportation of these materials through airlines. International regulations vary but, are in addition to United States laws, when applicable. Failure to comply can result in both criminal and civil liabilities for both the University and the individual who violates the laws.

There are nine classes of hazardous materials and dangerous goods defined in the DOT regulations.

Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases (Compressed, Dissolved under Pressure, Pressurized Cryogenic Liquids, and Liquefied Gases)
Class 3: Flammable Liquid (materials whose Flash Point (FP) is not more than 141F)
Class 4: Flammable Solids
Class 5: Oxidizing Substances / Organic Peroxides
Class 6: Poisonous (Toxic) and Infectious Substances
Class 7: Radioactive Material
Class 8: Corrosives
Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods (Includes Environmentally Hazardous Substances, Elevated Temperature Material, Hazardous Wastes, and Marine Pollutants)

Only personnel in the Office of Environmental Health & Safety are authorized to coordinate the activities associated with shipping or transporting hazardous materials and dangerous goods for or, on behalf of any unit of the University. No hazardous materials or dangerous goods shall EVER be transported in personal vehicles.

Any University unit that needs to ship or transport hazardous materials or dangerous goods must coordinate with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 479-575-5448 at least two weeks in advance of the shipping or transportation since shipping or transporting hazardous materials or dangerous goods cannot occur until all of the required activities (classification, packaging, labeling, etc.) and documentation are complete. If for any reason this normal notification period cannot be met, the unit must immediately contact the Chemical Hygiene Officer in order to arrange another mutually-acceptable submission date.

The University unit that initiates the shipment or transportation of hazardous materials or dangerous goods shall be responsible for all costs associated with each shipment or transportation outside the campus. Transportation of properly classified, packaged and labeled hazardous materials or dangerous goods within the campus shall be provided by the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at no charge.

Revised June 13, 2018
Reformatted for Web April 21, 2014
Revised August 30, 2013
February 25, 2013