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Environmental Health & Safety

Shipping Hazardous Materials

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The US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulate the shipment and transportation of items classified as Hazardous Materials (HM) or Dangerous Goods (DG). Specific regulations define hazardous materials and specify how to conduct practically every aspect of hazardous materials shipping. 

The Texas Christian University (TCU) Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) office has determined that these regulations apply to all shipments (shipper/transporter) of hazardous material made by TCU faculty, staff and students for TCU business purposes. These regulations also apply to shipments of hazardous materials by non-university staff when they are "on behalf of" or in "collaboration with" university operations. 

Any TCU faculty, staff, or student needing to ship hazardous materials or dangerous goods must contact the Environmental Health and Safety office (EHS) for assistance at safety@tcu.edu or 817-257-5395.

Responsibilities
The DOT requires you to be trained and certified before shipping hazardous materials.
Even if someone else handles your shipment for you, you are responsible for: 

  1. Packaging hazardous materials correctly,
  2. Labeling the package correctly, and
  3. Providing the required documentation. 

Important: Failure to meet regulatory requirements when shipping hazardous material or dangerous goods may result in citations, fines, or imprisonment. Fines to the university can range from $250 to $500,000 per violation. Individual researchers and shippers may be subject to criminal penalties of up to $500,000- and five-years’ imprisonment. 

What is HAZMAT / Dangerous Goods?
There are nine categories of hazards used to classify hazardous materials/dangerous goods in transportation.
The following are some of the materials commonly shipped from TCU as classified as HM or DG: 

  • Biological materials 
  • Chemicals
  • Compress gases 
  • Dry ice
  • Lithium batteries
  • Radioactive materials 

Resources and Forms
Export Control Information (International Shipping)

Training
TCU Office of Research offers “Shipping and Transport of Regulation Biological Materials” and "Export Compliance" courses through CITI Program training.
For information on DOT or IATA training and associated costs, please contact EHS at safety@tcu.edu or 817-257-5395.