Difference between revisions of "Talk:Shipping and Handling of Dangerous Goods"

Latest revision as of 20:24, 26 September 2015

Updates and Edits to Discussion of Training section

This text was replaced in the content by an update on current training regulations as of 2014:

The first, and most important, requirement stipulated by all regulations is that all who pack, handle or ship dangerous goods be properly trained and certified. Training can be obtained from any number of commercial companies that specialize in Dangerous Goods or Hazardous Materials Training, and may range in price from $300-$500. Training programs can take from a couple of hours to two days (depending on the scope and complexity of training) and cover general shipper’s compliance and responsibilities together with specific case scenarios. Participants should be provided with a copy of the relevant regulations, and the training should cover restricted quantity (small quantities for DOT and excepted quantities for IATA) dangerous goods packing and shipping. For quantities above and beyond restricted quantities, more extensive training is required, which involves additional time and cost. The majority of museum shipments will fall within the restricted quantity regulations outlined below. Every employee who handles, packs or ships dangerous goods is required to complete this training and maintain current certification. In addition, refresher training is required every 24 months. Depending on the size of the institution, the training of a single person (or two) to handle, pack and ship all dangerous goods shipments may be sufficient. At some institutions (especially those affiliated to universities) there may already be trained individuals (for example, in an environmental health and safety unit) who can ship and receive packages. University museums may also be able to make use of the institution’s environmental health and safety unit for training of museum personnel, and for assistance with shipments larger than those covered by restricted quantities. There are also certified commercial re-packing companies that will handle packing and labeling requirements.

Andy, please check to determine whether I removed too much content. Please indicate the date of these changes. --RachaelArenstein (talk) 14:39, 25 September 2015 (CEST)

Updates and changes to Regulations section

Original text in this section included the following text as #8 in the numbered list. Removed --RachaelArenstein (talk) 21:22, 26 September 2015 (CEST)

8. Labeling - The address side of each package must be clearly marked with “This package conforms to 49 CFR 173.4” and complete return address and delivery address must be furnished. There are no other labeling requirements. We have had custom labels produced that follow these guidelines:

Update as of 2015: As stated above, now with the DOT and USPS letters of interpretation stating that packages of natural history specimens packaged in this manner are “not subject to regulation under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR)” there is no longer a requirement for these packages to be labeled as stated above in #8. All other requirements however are still in force.

Updates and changes to Natural History Specimens Problems and Concerns section

Original text in this section included the following text. Removed as part of update.--RachaelArenstein (talk) 21:23, 26 September 2015 (CEST)

3. Specimens may not be carried internationally as carry-on or checked baggage due to dangerous goods restrictions. As discussed above, it has yet to be determined whether specimens can be drained of alcohol thereby negating the need to declare them as dangerous goods.

4. Specimens sent on loan to researchers who have not had the necessary training to repack and return the material (or have no access to a certified packer) once they have completed their study can also pose a problem. This is especially pertinent for international shipments as regulations and training requirements differ between countries.

5. According to the regulations, packages entering the USPS postal system (whether sent as loan, gift or exchange) by international institutions and packed by untrained staff should be refused and returned to the sender. I do not know of anyone who would do this (thereby endangering the specimens to the vagaries of the international postal system a second time), and this would also expose the postal system to an illegal package a second time that may not have been packaged correctly or may be leaking fluid.

It is important to remember that dangerous goods regulations are not written to specifically address the shipment of natural history specimens. This is a shortcoming that we would like to address through the planning of a meeting at which all of these issues will be discussed with representatives of all involved parties – ICAO, IATA, DOT, USPS, FedEx, UPS and DHL. I have been working in conjunction with the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) and the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) to put together such a meeting. However, even if we were successful in having legislation written specifically for natural history specimens, this legislation would take five to six years to take effect. Clearly, a short term solution to these problems is necessary and I will be working to achieve this and will keep the community updated on any progress made.