SOM031
School of Materials Guidance Notes on:
General Advice on Transporting Materials on and off Campus
Including chemicals, biological materials, hazardous materials and general materials
Regulations (derived from EC directives and international agreements) concerning the transportation of dangerous
goods, mean that we all have a legal duty of care to ensure that our acts or omissions do not compromise the
safety of ourselves or others.
So, we must ensure that when transporting any potentially hazardous substances we take all reasonably
practicable steps to ensure it is done in a safe manner.
This also includes none or low hazardous substances that the public might also perceive as harmful.
The information in the following document is written with reference to University guidance notes on transportation
of dangerous goods. For more detailed information see the guidance notes here:
http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/healthandsafety/CoPs&Guidance/transport_of_dangerous_goods.pdf
and HSE advice here:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/cdg/index.htm
note: All queries regarding transport of radioactive substances must be referred to the Radiological Protection
Advisor. For advice/questions regarding transport of all other dangerous goods, speak to Health and Safety
services.
Definitions:
Dangerous goods are classified as follows:
Class 1: Explosive substances and articles
Class 2: Gases
Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 4.1: Flammable solids
Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Class 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances
Class 5.2: Organic peroxides
Class 6.1: Toxic substances
Class 6.2: Infectious substances
Class 7: Radioactive material
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
All materials to be transported must be correctly packaged and labelled. The following general guidelines apply to
all material transported to/from the School:
• All material should be in a suitable shatterproof primary container (preferably not glass, if possible).
• The primary container should be placed in a suitable shatterproof secondary container, which is large
enough to contain the contents if the primary container fails during transport (ie. if it leaks/spills). Suitable
packaging should be included to cushion the primary container. If to be transported by air, sea, rail, the
packaging should conform to UN guidelines/standards.
• The primary and secondary container should all be placed within a suitable rigid outer container.
• All suitable paperwork (COSHH assessment, risk assessment, contact details, etc) should be placed inside
the outer container.
1.
Where is the substance to be transported?

Within the UK

Outside the UK – EU/rest of World

On campus – walking distance

On campus – too far to walk
SOM031



Transport within UK/EU/rest of world
o
Regulations for transport by road, rail, air, sea
o
Raise a purchase order for transport with courier
o
Ensure packaging requirements are met (see appendix 3 of University guidance for information)
Transport on campus – walking distance
o
A risk assessment must be carried out and contingency plans made prior to movement of the
goods (see below).
o
There should be no hazard labels or UN numbers on the outside of the rigid outer packaging,
although a document showing the appropriate UN number(s), shipping name and hazard label 6
should be put between the rigid outer packaging and the inner secondary packaging. Emergency
contact details should also be included.
Transport on campus – too far to walk
o
A risk assessment must be carried out and contingency plans made prior to movement of the
goods (see below).
o
There should be no hazard labels or UN numbers on the outside of the rigid outer packaging,
although a document showing the appropriate UN number(s), shipping name and hazard label 6
should be put between the rigid outer packaging and the inner secondary packaging. Emergency
contact details should also be included.
o
You must not use public transport
o
Your own car may not be suitable – e.g. your insurance may not allow for work-related activities
o
For University guidance notes on using a private taxi / hire vehicle – see safety circular, Appendix1
2. Risk assessment for transport on campus

What are the hazards of the substance/material?
 Chemical – corrosive, oxidiser, flammable, toxic, harmful to the environment, sensitiser, carcinogenic,
mutagenic or reproductive toxin.
 Biological – GMO, pathogen,
 Other material – radioactive, dye, paint
 Pressurised gases,
 Any non-hazardous items which are transported on dry ice or liquid nitrogen
 Equipment – glass / sharps, large, heavy, long, awkward, unstable – is it suitable for transport on foot?


What potential harm can be caused by each of the hazards?
o
To the person(s) transporting.
o
To the people who may come into contact, including the public.
o
To the environment, both locally and globally.
o
To the University – prosecution, bad publicity.
What are the hazards of the route to be taken?
o
Traffic
o
Uneven, slippery surfaces
o
Poor weather conditions
SOM031


What control measures need to be adopted to ensure safe transportation?
o
Packaging – as above, must be packaged to withstand dropping as tripping up and falling is a
possible risk.
o
Cold storage items should be transported using dry ice or cold blocks. Liquid nitrogen should not
be used.
What plan is in place in the event of an accidental release or spillage?
o
Records should be kept where the hazardous substance is being transported from and contact
details and phone number of someone competent who can deal with a worst case scenario.
SOM031
APPENDIX 1
Health and Safety Services
Health and Safety Services
Safety Team
The University of Manchester
Waterloo Place,
180 Oxford Road,
Manchester M13 9GP
www.manchester.ac.uk
To
Vice-Presidents/Deans, Heads of Schools, HoFAs
From
Dr Melanie Taylor
Date
25 January 2008
cc
Prof M Case, Dr S A Robson, Dr D Barker, G Rowe
School Biological Safety Advisors, Safety Representatives
Reference
Safety Circular 1/2008
Transport of Biological Material in private (and hire) vehicles - UK only
The Safety Office has been asked to provide guidance on this topic. The health & safety legislation is
complex but not the only risk factor involved in making decisions about moving a range of biological
materials, eg between NHS Trust Hospital and University laboratories, to a specialist analytical facility,
etc.
The attached appendix provides information on the health & safety aspects only of moving such
material. This has been derived from protocols used in respect of moving radioactive material and
verbal advice from GM Police. However, schools are reminded that staff using their own vehicles (and
hire vehicles) MUST check with their own insurers that they are covered for transport of such materials,
and also check the detail of the cover provided. Failure to do so might invalidate their own insurance
cover and expose them to a charge of driving without insurance.
In addition, they should be aware that insurance is normally for third party damage and/or injury, and will
not cover claims arising from a cautious reaction by police to finding suspect materials at the scene of a
road traffic accident. Police / security forces response has been known to include closure of motorways /
transport networks, and considerable inconvenience to large numbers of people. This brings the risk of
harm to the reputation of individuals and their employer. Compliance with the appendix should assist the
University to establish that it was not negligent, in the event of any claim for damages arising from such
an incident.
By definition, the substances covered by the appendix are low risk from a biological safety point of view.
The far greater risks are of compromising insurance cover, possible criminal charges arising from this,
damage to the University’s reputation, and possibly of claims arising from inconvenience caused to
others.
Dr Melanie Taylor
University Safety Advisor
SOM031
Appendix to Safety Circular 1/2008
From a biological safety risk point of view :
Only samples which are assigned to Biological Substance Category B and/or Class 1 GMOs may be
carried in private cars but should not be carried on public transport. If transported in a taxi they must be
accompanied. The samples must be packaged and labelled to P650 standard and a risk assessment
prepared and retained which includes dealing with spillages. For details on classification and packaging
go to: http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/healthandsafety/bio_gm/transport_of_dangerous_goods.pdf
All other infectious samples and GMOs must be transported by courier.
Before carrying samples:




Authorisation must be granted by the Head of School
A check must be made with the insurers of the vehicle and proof provided to the School that it is
covered for carriage of this type of goods. Business cover does not necessarily mean cover for
carriage of goods.
The School must check that the driver’s driving licence is valid and this must be carried for the
journey.
A mobile phone must be carried by the driver and contact details left with the School so the
driver may be contacted and is able to contact others in the event of an accident.
Documents should be attached to the packaging indicating:





The location and address from which the samples are being carried and contact details of the
consignor who has specific knowledge of the samples and can reassure the emergency services
of the risks (which should be very low).
The destination and address to which the samples are being carried and contact details of the
recipient who has specific knowledge of the samples and can reassure the emergency services
of the risks
The proposed route and anticipated time of the journey
Details of the person in charge of the vehicle and driving licence carried
Details of the vehicle being used: type, colour and registration
Samples may be transported in dry-ice but the dry ice itself must be packaged appropriately. Samples
must not be transported in dewars but may be transported in dry shippers, prepared to avoid leakage, in
the boot.
Where possible the vehicle should not be left unattended during transit. If this is unavoidable, the vehicle
must be left locked.