Packing and shipping dangerous goods CDC

DRY ICE

Added to package or overpack to keep materials frozen during transport. -should be included only between rigid outer packaging and secondary packaging -must never be placed in sealed packaging (needs to be vented) -should not be used as padding, will dissipate in transport -may be included in vented and leakproof overpacks (No >200 kg in a single pack for transport, no >5lbs for USPS transport)

CAT B

Biological substances are not in a form generally capable of causing permanent disability or life threatening or fatal disease of exposure occurs. -applies to human and animal -assigned UN3373 Ex: salmonella, e.coli

If emergency response documentation is added to package, what type of substance is being shipped?

CAT A

Classification (2)

Classification determined by someone knowledgeable about sample (analyze patient medical history, symptoms, circumstances and endemic local conditions). There are 3 classifications: CAT A, CAT B, Exempt specimen

Overpacks

Container used to send multiple packages to same recipient. Can be rigid and flexible. -they supplement the required triple packaging and cannot be considered a required package component. *dry ice or gel packs must be placed in vented, leakproof overpacks.

Not subject to regulations' substances

DOT does not classify bio. Substances that don't meet the criteria for A or B. substances known not to harbor a pathogen/minimal likelihood that pathogens present are not subject to DIVISION 6.2 regulations. *no DOT guidelines for packaging non regulated specimens -USPS requires these substances to use DOT's cat B triple packing requirements, omitting UN3373 label and biological substances, cat B proper shipping name. ex: food and water environmental samples not suspected to contain infectious materials. *genetically modified organisms must be classified as Class 9

Governing agencies include:

DOT, usps, ICAO (transport) -all work to harmonize regulations with guidelines established by the UN. -the 3 agencies are now operating under the same set of rules for transportation of dangerous goods and dry ice

Which agencies govern the transport of dangerous goods in the US

Dot, USPS, ICAO

IATA job aid:

*Any pathogens neutralized/inactivated? Don't contain infectious substances? For Transplant/transfusion? Environmental sample? Dried blood/fecal occult? Micro organisms present non pathogenic for humans/animals?* [YES TO ANY] not subject to the provisions of IATA DGR unless meeting criteria of another class or division (ex: formalin) [NO TO ALL]: -Cat A? If YES, UN 2814 infection substance, affecting humans; OR UN 2900 infectious substance affecting animals. IF NOT, is a patient specimen for which there is a minimal likelihood that pathogens are present? —No: UN3373 cat B —Yes: subject to exempt human/animal provisions

Classify:

-2 job aids contain series of questions to help you determine classification. -use IATA job aid for classifying US Mail shipments bc of the probability of USPS air transport.

What course covers

-does not provide certification or final approval to pack and ship dangers goods -does cover: general awareness/familiarity training on dangerous goods; safety in dangerous goods, hazards, handling, emergency response

Frequency of recurrent training varies depending on organization:

-every 3 years for DOT, JC, and CAP -change in job function -every 2 years for IATA

Packing and shipping process:

1:determine mode of transport for package 2:determine classification of substance 3:pack material 4:label, mark, and document package

CAT A: biological substance capable of causing permanent disability or life threatening fatal disease when exposure occurs.

2 assignments of CAT A substances: 1. UN2814- can cause disease in humans or both humans and animals. *DOT AND IATA have indicative lists of each substance for quick reference. 2. UN2900- affects only animals. -new and emerging pathogens also CAT A but might not APPEAR on indicative list ex: Ebola, TB

Additional training requirements for CAT A and dry ice certification provided by employer and not covered in this course include:

Function specific training for CAT A and dry ice > 5.5 lbs safety training on blood borne pathogens and security training: awareness on dangerous goods, in depth on security and implementation on dangerous goods

DOT establishes train requirements for packing and shipping goods. Select the training requirements covered in this course.

General awareness on dangerous goods and safety training on dangerous goods, handling and emergency response

USPS and ICAO

Has regulatory authority for dangerous goods when sent by US MAIL. Regulations published in US postal publication 52. -ICAO is an agency of the UN that establishes international standards and recommended practices for civil aviation

Which agency publishes the DGR which apply to dangerous goods shipments transported by air?

IATA

Exempt humans specimens or exempt animal specimens

IATA and USPS use these terms for biological specimens known not to harbor a pathogen or have a minimal likelihood that pathogens are present. -generally include samples being transported for routine testing not related to the diagnosis of an infectious disease, such as therapeutic drug monitoring or testing conducted for insurance or employment purposes. -shipping requirements to follow IATA RULES

DOT JOB AID

Image

Step 4:label

In clean area, based on mode of transport and classification DRY ICE: class 9, weight, UN #, shipping name OSHA and USPS: Requires biohazard symbol (urine not included)

Types of training that apply to packing and shipping

Initial: by your employer must occur within 90days of employment of being assigned to any duties recurrent: must occur every 2 years for IATA or every 3 years for DOT, JC, and CAP. Training also needed when change in job function or security plan is revised IATA requires recurrent training when a regulatory change occurs that affects the job function.

Pack the material (step 3)

Mode of transport determines the packing requirements. Most lab staff follow IATA packing instructions (PI) -Air: IATA DGR (CAT A PI 620, CAT B PI 650, DRY ICE PI 954) -Ground US Mail: USPS pub. 52 (39 CFR) -ground (courier, train, ship): DOT HMR (CAT A, CAT B, Dry ice)

All work within same regulations but minor exceptions.

Mode of transport: dictates requirements for packing. -AIR: IATA DGR {shippers declaration, airway bill} {documentation, packing, classification} -GROUND (us Mail/postal): USPS publication 52 (39 CFR) -GROUND (all motor vehicle couriers, train, cargo ships): DOT HMR (49 CFR parts 100-185)

IATA and OSHA

Not regulatory authorities for transport but both impact its shipment. -IATA Is an international trade organization of cargo and passenger airlines. Publishes the dangerous goods regulations (DGR) which must be followed by all IATA member airlines-they are based upon ICAO recommendations. -OSHA rules apply to all workplace safety, including carriers who transport packages. Requires blood Bourne pathogen training for those who work with human samples or samples containing pathogens

When shipping cat B substances by air, an air waybill must be included.

True

Packing material: all dangerous goods must be TRIPLE packaged with primary, secondary, and outer packing.

Primary: leakproof/siftproof. Made of glass, metal or plastic. Must be in 2nd packaging in way they can't break, puncture, or leak. Multiple specimens be separated or individually wrapped. Must be able to withstand 95kPA FOR AIR SHIPMENT. secondary: leafproof and siftproof. Must include cushioning around primary package. For Liquids it must have absorbent materials that can absorb for volume of substance. Must be secured in rigid outer packaging *both must be secured of outer rigid packaging. Outer packing can become contaminated if packing process is completed in a contaminated area. Should both be sealed and surface decontaminated within lab "dirty zone" then brought to "clean zone"-2nd package placed in outer packaging. outer: constructed so there's no release of hazardous materials into the environment during transport. CAT A: require UN specification packaging with the UN mark. Meaning packaging was tested, certified, and marked by manufacturer with the proper UN specification.

DOT

Regulatory authority in the US for dangerous goods transported in commerce by any mode of transport -created the HMR/CFR 49 parts of 100-85 to protect anyone who may handle a packing during the shipping process and to provide accurate info for incident response that may occur while sample is in transit -DOT is also the US authority for establishing training requirements and ensuring compliance with regulations

When shipping brucella melitensis culture:

Rigid outer packaging with UNA SPECIFICATION MARK and item list content

Ice packs and gel packs

Same requirements as dry ice. samples must be already at desired temp before placing them in packaging.