Shipping chemicals and other items... which must comply with DOT haz mat regs

Training Modules pertaining to hazardous materials shipping, from the USDOT. Anyone wishing to begin to understand the complexity of shipping even the most apparently benign of chemicals must study this in order to gain an understanding of why it's all so much more involved than it "used to be."              Link to DOT HazMat Table (1.2 Mb!)

REM will assist with shipping limited quantities (see below) of chemicals, biologicals, and (up to a certain small quantity) radioisotopes.  You must provide an account number to which the labor, shipping, and packaging costs will be billed.  (Radioisotopes above that "certain small quantity," whatever it is, must be shipped by the REM Radiation Safety Section, according to Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules.)

Obtain a copy of the shipping request form and follow the instructions.  Items for shipping must be examined and approved by Dr. Swihart before they are accepted by Chem Stores, and may not be taken to Chem Stores until they have been labeled, segregated, sealed, and approved.

Under no circumstances is anyone at Purdue to ship any chemical, biological, or radioactive agent without benefit of proper procedures. It will probably not be much longer before such an act will be regarded as so incredibly irresponsible that it will have become grounds for nearly instant dismissal.

SHIPPING chemicals, biologicals, radiation:

1. REM provides this service; it takes place in Chem Stores, WTHR 225.
2. Researchers need to supply MSDSs for the chemicals which or provide detailed information such as toxicity, flammability, corrosivity, pH...
3. If the material is going overseas, prior clearance through customs may need to be completed well before any shipment. Several companies do not deliver dangerous goods into certain countries. International shipments are usually extremely time consuming. They usually require several forms of documentation and logistic planning.
4. There are very few companies that will come in and package material for shipment. Fedex, UPS, World Courier, or Airborne do not offer this service. Clean Harbors, Heritage and other environmental companies may offer this type of service. Contact Lanie Hazelwood of REM if you believe you will need to hire a shipper. Compliance issues are increasingly important and are have become even more complex. If a mistake is made, it doesn't matter if a hired shipper made the mistake; Purdue will be held liable.
5. Since 9/11 restrictions on dangerous goods going in the air has become a lot more work and time. Start planning early; overseas air shipment can take 3 months.
6. The researcher must provide the UN rated containers to package the material in, or must provide an account number so that supplies can be purchased. Some of the containers are costly.

Before shipment may take place, the Chemical Safety office of the receiving institution must be contacted and provided with a list of the items proposed for shipment.  Dr. Swihart will assist with this communication.

"Limited Quantities" -- Not more than 40 containers in any 30-day period will be shipped for any one research group.  If you are moving an entire laboratory (or a significant portion of one) and wish to ship your chemicals to your new location, you must hire a competent shipper to package and transport you materials.