Appendix C Transport of Biohazardous Material

The DOT Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180) regulates the movement of Division 6.2
Infectious Substances when a commercial carrier is used. This is covered in Appendix B: Shipment of
Infectious Substances. Transport refers to movement of Arkansas State material by Arkansas State
personnel (faculty, staff or students) in a vehicle or hand carry between buildings. Substances that meet
the DOT definition of infectious (see Appendix B) and are being transported in a vehicle, must be
packaged per DOT regulations by a person certified to ship infectious substances. Pay particular
attention to the exemptions in the A-State Hazardous Materials Shipping Plan; most substances
requiring transport at Arkansas State are exempt from the DOT definition of infectious.
Substances not meeting the DOT definition of infectious, but requiring BSL-2 (or higher) containment or
covered by Arkansas State’s definition of biohazardous (see Chapter 9 of this Manual) must be packaged
as follows for transport either by vehicle or hand carry: Place material in a primary (specimen) container
that is leak-proof and secured with a tight-fitting cap; place absorbent material (diapers, absorbent
towels, pads) around the primary containers for transport of liquids; place the primary container(s) in a
secondary transport container that is also sealed and labeled with a biohazard symbol.
Arkansas State encourages the use of university-owned vehicles when transporting materials off
campus. Accidents during movement of any of these materials can result in harm to persons and
property. Release and spills of these materials may involve police and HAZMAT responders including
clean-up and cost of recovery. Under NO circumstances may public transportation be used for transport of Hazardous Materials.