Research Insights

As research and research collaborations continue to increase and diversify, it is important for us to remain well-informed of regulations that may apply to our activities. Shipping hazardous materials and dangerous goods by land, by air, or by vessel are all highly regulated activities. Shipping hazardous materials or dangerous goods can pose danger to anyone who may come into contact with the shipment, therefore, it is critical to follow the rules and regulations so that any unsafe condition is minimized or eliminated. Shipping regulations are becoming more and more complex and include mandatory training and record-keeping requirements for anyone presenting a package containing hazardous materials or dangerous goods for transport.

It is the policy of UGA that the shipment of any hazardous materials or dangerous goods off campus through a public contractor is to be coordinated through the Hazardous Materials Program of the Environmental Safety Division. Hazardous Materials Program personnel are fully trained and have materials to handle the shipment of most hazardous materials. They are available to answer any questions you may have about shipping hazardous materials or dangerous goods and to assist you in determining if your shipment contains hazardous materials or dangerous goods. These include (but are not limited to): flammables, corrosives, oxidizers, toxic materials, compressed gasses, and miscellaneous hazardous materials or substances. Also included are laboratory chemicals, radioactive materials, biological agents, diagnostic specimens, refrigerants or cooling agents such as dry ice, and instruments or equipment that might contain hazardous materials. Hazardous materials or dangerous goods that are shipped to labs for testing or analysis, to a colleague for collaborative research, to another research facility, returned to the manufacturer or sent to a field research site are included. More information is available from the ESD website.

Please take time to visit the ESD website and contact them with any questions you have about current or planned projects that may involve shipping hazardous materials or dangerous goods. If you are unsure about any items or packaging materials you plan to ship, the ESD Hazardous Materials Program can assist you in making a proper determination. Brian Adams,Hazardous Materials Program manager, can be reached at 706-713-2729 or bkadams@uga.edu. Your time spent to properly package and ship these items is very important to everyone involved in the safe and timely pick-up, transport, and delivery of your package.