The packaging
and transportation of biological materials are subject to strict
State, Federal AND international regulations. This is particularly
so if the material is transported through the "public domain",
those roadways, airways and sea lanes accessible to the public.
Therefore, at the LBNL, unless the material is being moved within
a specific campus building, the legal requirements of packaging,
labeling and handling must be followed.
GENERAL REQUIREMENT
The intent of the packaging and transportation regulations
are to prevent accidental exposure of personnel who
may handle the material during its shipment. Therefore, there
are certain general criteria which apply to all possible transportation
scenarios.
Prior to transporting any biological materials the following
controls must be in place:
- Emergency procedures (e.g., contact names and information,
spill clean up, disinfection protocols, etc.) must be known
to the person carrying the materials.
- Container must be appropriate for the material being transported.
- Material must be packed so that it will stay upright during
transportation.
- The containers must be properly labeled.
- Proper protective clothing must be worn during the packaging
of the material.
- Hands should be washed after handling materials.
- Open cuts or other wounds should be covered before handling
the materials.
- Aerosol generation must be avoided when handling and packing
the materials.
- The person packaging the material must ensure that the
exterior surfaces of each package is free of any potential
contamination by the packed material.
TRANSPORTATION WITHIN LBNL
The following requirements must be observed during the transportation
of biological materials within a LBNL campus (e.g., between
two laboratories):
- At a minimum, disposable gloves and a laboratory coat
should be worn during transport.
- Label information must include the identity of the biological
material or agent, the universal biohazard symbol (if the
material or agent is in or above Risk Group 2) and the sending
and receiving laboratory identification (e.g., Principal
Investigator name and room number). Each individual container
must have enough label information to identify its contents
but other information should be on the outside of the package.
- Never carry blood or other potentially infectious materials
by holding the container in your hand or pocket; use a secondary
container such as a shatter-proof box (e.g., portable cooler)
which can contain a rack or other sample holder.
- The secondary container should be closeable and easy to
decontaminate; an absorbent pad (or similar material) should
be placed inside the secondary container to absorb any spills.
- The container should be carried directly to the intended
laboratory - do not take the container to offices, cafeterias
or other public or inappropriate locations.
- Upon delivery, the receiving laboratory personnel should
be informed and the material properly stored.
- The package should be carefully inspected for signs of
leakage or other contamination and, if necessary, decontaminated
before opening.
TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN THE LBNL CAMPUS AND
UC BERKELEY
Transportation of biological samples between locations is
subject to the domestic shipping requirements (see link below).
In addition, because the transportation takes place through
the public domain, the following other conditions apply:
The specimen should be placed inside a primary container
with a tight-fitting leak-resistant top (e.g., full round
threaded screw cap with seal or stopper).
The primary container is placed within a secondary (outermost)
container which must meet the following specifications:
- Shatter and leak resistant.
- Surfaces which can be easily cleaned.
- Enough extra space to hold coolant and/or absorbent materials.
- Labeled with the universal biohazard symbol if material(s)
or agent(s) are in or above Risk Group 2.
A Coleman or Rubbermaid beverage cooler is commonly used.
Label information must include the identity of the biological
material or agent, the universal biohazard symbol (if the
material or agent is in or above Risk Group 2) and the sending
and receiving laboratory identification (e.g., PI name and
room number). Each individual container must have enough label
information to identify its contents but other information
should be on the outside of the package.
Transfer may be either by a LBNL courier or a responsible
laboratory employee.
The LBNL shuttle system must not be used for transportation
of infectious agents or other biohazardous materials.
The container should be carried directly to the intended
laboratory - do not take the container to offices, cafeterias
or other public or inappropriate locations.
Upon delivery, the receiving laboratory personnel should
be informed and the material properly stored.
The package should be carefully inspected for signs of leakage
or other contamination and, if necessary, decontaminated before
opening.
If the material is to be transported by the United States
Postal Service or a commercial carrier such as Federal Express,
the conditions described below must be met.
