University of Delaware Procedures for Transporting Chemicals
Note: These procedures are for driving or transporting chemicals by University Personnel. For information regarding shipping chemicals through a carrier such as FedEx, refer to the
Chemical Shipping procedures. These procedures are only for chemicals. If the samples contain biological materials, contact the
Biosafety Officer at 831-1433. If the samples are radioactive, contact the Radiation Safety Officer at 831-1434.
- Contact the Department of Environmental Health & Safety to determine if your materials are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This Federal Agency regulates the
transportation of hazardous materials by road in the United States.
- Use the following procedures to transport samples which do NOT meet the DOT definition of hazardous materials:
- All materials must be transported and stored in a secondary container to prevent breakage. A secondary container must be capable of containing the materials if the primary
container breaks or leaks. Absorbent materials must be included in the secondary container to absorb any liquids.
- Cushion the materials to prevent container breakage.
- Include on the container a sheet listing the materials being transported and the below-listed emergency phone numbers. Provide the driver with a copy as well.
- It is best if the materials can be transported within the trunk or bed of a pick-up truck. It is also recommended, though not required, that a university vehicle be used for the
transportation. For security and safety purposes minimize stops along the route.
- It is prudent to carry a cell phone in case of any problems or emergencies along the way. If there is a problem during transport, contact the Department of Environmental Health &
Safety (DEHS) during normal business hours at 302-831-8475. After normal hours contact DEHS via Public Safety at 302-831-2222.
- If the material is considered hazardous per DOT:
- A state agency or local jurisdiction that transports chemicals for its own use, using its own personnel and state-owned vehicles, is exempt from the DOT regulations as long as the
material is not shipped for commerce, it remains within the state, and it is packaged according to these procedures. The University of Delaware must comply with the DOT regulations if
it offers chemicals to a non-governmental carrier (by motor vehicle, aircraft, rail, or vessel) or transports these materials in "furtherance of a commercial enterprise."
- This procedure states the requirements for the packaging and transport of chemicals in a manner that will minimize the threat of release via container breakage during transport.
Chemicals which are considered hazardous cannot be transported in privately owned or personal vehicles. All transport must be in a University of Delaware vehicle by a university
employee. Chemicals can only be transported for the purposes of conducting research, field investigations, educational purposes and other official university business.
- All materials must be transported and stored in a secondary container to prevent breakage. A secondary container is capable of containing the materials if the primary
container breaks or leaks. Absorbent materials must be included in the secondary container to absorb any liquids. Cushion the materials to prevent container breakage.
- Include on the container a sheet listing the name of the suspected materials being transported and the below-listed emergency phone numbers. Provide a copy to the driver as
well.
- To transport materials on dry ice, you must have completed the DOT Dry Ice Shipping Online training within the previous 2 years. Package the samples as listed above in a
sealed primary container and a secondary container which will contain the material if the original container were to break or leak. Place the samples, in their secondary
container, in a Styrofoam lined sturdy cardboard box containing the dry ice. Tape the box shut.
- It is best if the materials can be transported within the trunk if the vehicle has one or the bed of a pick-up truck with a covered bed. Large quantities of hazardous
materials must be transported in a truck. Contact DEHS for guidance. For security and safety purposes minimize stops along the route.
- With the exception of welding/cutting systems and materials of trade used by the Facilities Group, cylinders shall not be transported in a motor vehicle by University
personnel on a routine basis. This transport should be handled by a licensed outside vendor. Welding and cutting carts shall only be transported in University vehicles from a
storage area to a job site or building. These systems shall not be stored in vehicles. At the completion of the shift, University personnel must disassemble the carts and
store the cylinders in properly segregated storage locations (the oxygen cylinder separated from the fuel gas by twenty feet or a one hour fire rated enclosure/wall).
- It is prudent to carry a cell phone in case of any problems or emergencies along the way. If there is a problem during transport, contact the Department of Environmental
Health & Safety (DEHS) during normal business hours at 302-831-8475. After normal hours contact DEHS via Public Safety at 302-831-2222.
- Laboratories should keep records for all materials transported. Documentation should include what materials were transported, where the materials were transported to.
date of the transportation and quantities. These records should be kept for one year and then destroyed.
Questions regarding shipment or transportation issues may be addressed to the Chemical Hygiene Officer at dehsafety@udel.edu or call 302-831-8475.
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