Department of Microbiology
Quality Manual
Section: Process Control
Prepared by: QA Committee
Issued by: Laboratory Manager
Approved by: Laboratory Director
Policy QPCMI06001.09
Page 1 of 7
Subject Title: Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Procedure
Original Date: October 1, 2003
Revision Date:
Annual Review Date: May 31, 2013
Purpose:
The transport of dangerous goods is regulated in Canada by the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Act and its Regulations (TDGR). The TDGR are designed to protect and promote public safety
in the transportation of dangerous goods. For air transport, International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) technical instructions must be followed, which can be found in the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Procedure:
In order to ship dangerous goods, a Microbiology employee must have current TDG training, or
is directly supervised by another employee who has current TDG training.
The TDGR divides dangerous goods into 9 classes as follows:
Class
Type of Dangerous Goods
1
2
3
4
5
6
Explosives
Gases
Flammable liquids
Flammable solids
Oxidizing substances
Toxic and infectious substances
7
8
9
Radioactive materials
Corrosive substances
Miscellaneous dangerous goods
Specific Type Handled
United Nations
(UN) Number
6.2 Infectious substances,
affecting humans
UN2814
9 Dry ice
UN1845
Shipping dangerous goods by regular mail is not legal in Canada.
The Components of the TDG program
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identification of specimens
Packaging and Labeling for transport
Documentation for transport
Emergency response for incidents
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document. Any documents appearing in paper form that are not stamped in red "MASTER COPY" are not
controlled and should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use.
D:\106739145.doc
Department of Microbiology
Quality Manual
Section: Process Control
Policy QPCMI06001.09
Page 2 of 7
Subject Title: Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Procedure
1. Identification of Specimens
Your responsibility is to determine if the specimen is either a diagnostic specimen or an
infectious substance.
Diagnostic Specimen
A diagnostic specimen is a human or animal material including excreta, secreta, blood and its
components, tissue and tissue fluids, that is offered for transport for the purpose of diagnosis,
analysis or testing. In the absence of evidence to establish that the specimen contains regulated
infectious substances, specimens transported from health care facilities can be reasonably be
believed not to contain infectious substances.
Infectious Substance
An infectious substance is substance known or reasonably expected to contain viable micro
organisms that are known or reasonably expected to cause disease in humans or animals, and is
included in Risk Group 2,3 or 4.
It is important to note that not every micro organism in Risk Groups 2 and 3 are considered
“infectious” when transporting. Only 7 micro organisms in Risk Group 2 are considered
infectious when transporting. These include:
1. Cornynebacterium diphtheriae
2. Echinococcus (gravid segments)
3. Genus Vesiculovirus: VSV Indiana lab strain or other proven lab-adapted strain
4. Hepatitis B virus
5. Cowdria ruminatum that affects only animals: R. bovis and R. ovina
6. Salmonella typhi
7. Vibrio cholerae (including El Tor)
8. Any organism that exhibits similar characteristics to those on this list
All other Risk Group 2 micro organisms are considered diagnostic when transporting. As well,
there are 6 micro organisms from Risk Group 3 that are considered diagnostic when transporting.
They include:
1. Chlamydia psittaci
2. Ehrlichia canis
3. Eperythrozoon species
4. Heaemobartonella species
5. Mycobacterium avium
6. Neorickettsia helminthaeca
All other Risk Group 3 specimens are considered infectious when transporting. If you come
across a Risk Group 4 specimen for transport, contact the Microbiologist on-call for advice
(these specimens require approval from the Ministry of Transport).
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document. Any documents appearing in paper form that are not stamped in red "MASTER COPY" are not
controlled and should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use.
D:\106739145.doc
Department of Microbiology
Quality Manual
Section: Process Control
Policy QPCMI06001.09
Page 3 of 7
Subject Title: Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Procedure
Before transporting, you need to identify, as best you can, which microorganism is present. For
example, if a specimen is being transported to test for a microorganism (this does not include
blood transfusion product screening), assume that the microorganism is present. Then use the
information above to determine if it is an infectious substance. If a specimen is being referred out
for a non-microbiology test, and you have no other information, identify it as a diagnostic
specimen. Common infectious substances are HIV and Hepatitis B virus.
The following flowchart may be used to identify specimens:
Is the substance known to or
reasonably expected to
contain pathogens in Risk
Group 2, 3 or 4?
Yes
Require a Shipper’s
Declaration
No
Is the material being shipped
to be tested for pathogens?
These substances are
Regulated Class 6.2
Dangerous Goods
Yes
All Dangerous Goods
Regulations apply.
Use Packing Instruction 602
No
Is the sample being shipped
for any other reason?
Yes
Shipper’s Declaration is NOT
required
No
Is the sample known not to
contain pathogens? (There
must be no reason to suspect)
These samples are not
Dangerous Goods
Yes
Use Packing Instruction 605
2. Packaging and Labeling
Diagnostic Specimens
The packaging of diagnostic specimens is described in IATA packing instruction 605. Package
type 1B (TC-125-1B) is used and consists of the following:
1. Primary container – this is the blood tube, urine or specimen container. Wrap with bubble
wrap.
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document. Any documents appearing in paper form that are not stamped in red "MASTER COPY" are not
controlled and should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use.
D:\106739145.doc
Department of Microbiology
Quality Manual
Section: Process Control
Policy QPCMI06001.09
Page 4 of 7
Subject Title: Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Procedure
2. Secondary container – use a leak-proof zip-lock bag.
3. Absorbent material – include an absorbent material such as paper towel or commercial
absorbent material, between the primary and secondary containers. Include enough
absorbent to absorb the specimen completely should the primary container leak.
4. Place the secondary container into a cardboard box of adequate strength, if shipping at
room temperature. If shipping with a freeze pack or dry ice, use a Styrofoam box inside a
cardboard box.
Because diagnostic specimens are not dangerous goods, you do not need to affix a TDG label to
the package. You do need to include the following labels:
1. A label indicating “Diagnostic Specimen, UN3373”
2. If you included dry ice in the package, a label indicating “ DRY ICE, UN1845, __ kg net
weight”.
3. Shipper’s name, address and telephone number.
4. Consignee’s (who the specimen is being sent to) name, address and telephone number.
5. Ensure that irrelevant marks are removed.
Infectious Substance
The packaging of infectious substances is described in IATA packing instruction 602. Package
type 1A (TC-125-1A) is used and consists of the following:
1. Primary container – this is the blood tube, urine or specimen container. Wrap with bubble
wrap.
2. Secondary container – use a leak-proof zip-lock bag.
3. Absorbent material – include an absorbent material such as paper towel or commercial
absorbent material, between the primary and secondary containers. Include enough
absorbent to absorb the specimen completely should the primary container leak.
4. Place the secondary container into a Saf-T-Pak STP-100 shipper or other commercial
shipper - made up of a Styrofoam box contained with a cardboard box.
Label the package as follows:
Affix a TDG 4x4 inch “Infectious Substance – Class “6” label
Shipper’s name and address.
Name and telephone number of the person responsible for the shipment.
Consignee’s name, address and telephone number.
If you included dry ice in the package, affix a TDG 4x4 inch “Dry Ice – Class 9” label.
As well, label indicating “ DRY ICE, UN1845, __ kg net weight”.
6. Ensure that irrelevant marks are removed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document. Any documents appearing in paper form that are not stamped in red "MASTER COPY" are not
controlled and should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use.
D:\106739145.doc
Department of Microbiology
Quality Manual
Section: Process Control
Policy QPCMI06001.09
Page 5 of 7
Subject Title: Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Procedure
Shipping with Dry Ice
Include with the secondary container, an adequate amount of dry ice to keep a diagnostic
specimen or infectious substance container frozen. Because dry ice continuously evaporates into
CO2 gas, you must include an opening, such as a seam without packing tape, in the package for
the CO2 gas to escape. If you do not include an opening, the package may explode.
Quantity Limits When Shipping by Air Transport:
Shipment Type
Infectious substance, liquid
Infectious substance, solid
Diagnostic specimen
Maximum Quantity per Package
Transport by Passenger or
Transport by Cargo Aircraft
Cargo Aircraft
50mL
4L
50g
4kg
500 mL
500 mL
3. Documentation for Transport
Unless you have made arrangements with consignee, do not ship a refrigerated or frozen
specimen on a Friday, to avoid the package sitting at the destination without refrigeration
through a weekend.
A shipper’s declaration form is not required for a diagnostic specimen, even when the package
contains dry ice.
When shipping an infectious substance, obtain access to your lab’s electronic version of the SafT-Pak Shipper’s Declaration form (contact the departmental Safety Officer if you cannot locate
this). Use the procedure below to copy over the existing information on the Saf-T-Pak form.
When you have finished, print the form using a color printer so that the hashed border is a red
color. Complete the following information on the shipper’s declaration form:
Shipper’s name, address and telephone number.
Consignee’s name, address and telephone number.
The shipper’s reference number (i.e. Fedex number) in the top right corner of the form.
Name and phone number of the person responsible for the shipment.
If shipping by air, identify the type of aircraft to be used, and the airports of departure
and destination.
6. Indicate that the shipment is not radioactive, by crossing out that box.
7. Under the “Nature and Quantity of Dangerous Goods” complete the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document. Any documents appearing in paper form that are not stamped in red "MASTER COPY" are not
controlled and should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use.
D:\106739145.doc
Department of Microbiology
Quality Manual
Section: Process Control
Policy QPCMI06001.09
Page 6 of 7
Subject Title: Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Procedure
a) under Shipping name: enter “Infectious substance, affecting humans”, then the
technical name of the substance in brackets. For example (Hepatitis B virus). As
well, if shipping with dry ice, enter “Dry ice” on the next line.
b) under Class: enter “6.2” for infectious substance, and “9” for driy ice.
c) under UN number enter “UN2814” for infectious substance, and “UN1845” for
dry ice. The UN number refers to a number assigned by a United Nations
Committee of Experts on Transport of Dangerous Goods.
d) under Packing Group – this does not apply to infectious substances. If using dry
ice, enter III.under Quantity and Type of Packaging – enter number grams or mLs
of infectious
e) substance. Enter number of kg of dry ice. Then describe how it is packed, i.e. “All
packed in one cardboard box”.
f) Under Packing Instruction – enter 602 for infectious substance. Enter 904 for dry
ice.
8. In the bottom right corner: enter your name and title, place and date.
9. Print out 4 copies of the form (one copy for the lab’s records), and sign the bottom right
hand corner.
10. Finally, complete the courier’s waybill, and arrange for the courier pickup.
“Nature and Quantity of Dangerous Goods” Documentation Summary
Item
Class of
Being
Dangerou
Shipped
s Goods
Diagnosti
NA
c
Specimen
Infectious
6.2
Substance
UN
Number
Packing
Group
UN3373
NA
UN2814
NA
NA
Dry Ice
UN1845
III
NA
9
SubQuantity
sidiary and Type
Risk
of Packing
NA
NA
Weight in
grams or
volume in
mLs
Weight in
kg
Packing
Instructio
n
650
Authorizatio
n
602
NA
904
NA
NA
4. Emergency Response
“CANUTEC (613) 996-6666” is noted on our shipper’s declaration form as an emergency
response contact. This is a service provided by Transport Canada to assist emergency personnel
in handling dangerous goods emergencies. CANUTEC offers 24 hour telephone advice. If our
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document. Any documents appearing in paper form that are not stamped in red "MASTER COPY" are not
controlled and should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use.
D:\106739145.doc
Department of Microbiology
Quality Manual
Section: Process Control
Policy QPCMI06001.09
Page 7 of 7
Subject Title: Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Procedure
shipment’s courier were involved in an accident and the shipment leaked outside the package,
police could call CANUTEC for advice on how to handle the spill.
In Case of a Spill or Leak
If a spill or leak occurs will you are handling or delivering the specimen, refer to our Biological
Spill Control procedure QFS01704.01 in the Lab Safety Manual.
Related Documents
Document Title
Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations
International Air Transport Association
Saf-T-Pak Shipper’s Declaration form (electronic)
Document Number
http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg.
http://www.iata.org
Transportation form
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document. Any documents appearing in paper form that are not stamped in red "MASTER COPY" are not
controlled and should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use.
D:\106739145.doc