Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Shipping refers to the process of preparing, packaging, labeling, documenting, and transporting materials that pose risks to health, safety, property, or the environment. When shipping hazardous materials, we are required to adhere to the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), set by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for domestic transport and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for air transport.
What DOT/IATA Hazardous Materials Shipping Regulations Cover
Compliance with the DGR is required whenever shipping materials that appear in the DOT Hazardous Materials Tables and/or the IATA List of Dangerous Goods.
There are nine Hazard Classes:
Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Class 4: Flammable Solids
Class 5: Oxidizers
Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances
Class 7: Radioactive
Class 8: Corrosives
Class 9: Miscellaneous
*OES training classes focus on Classes 2, 6, and 9
Key DOT/IATA Requirements for Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Shipping:
- Proper classification of the material being shipped (Exempt Specimens, Category A materials, Category B materials, Dry Ice)
- Approved packaging and container performance standards
- Correct labels, placards, and markings
- Compliant shipping papers (Shippers Declaration for Dangerous Goods, Air Waybill, etc.)
- Function specific training for anyone who prepares or handles the shipment
Training
To be eligible to ship hazardous material, you must have received HAZMAT Training within the previous 3 years for the materials that you plan to ship.
Our office provides the following courses, administered through MyLearning:
- DOT/IATA Dangerous Goods Training (Instructor Led) – Initial Training: This course provides necessary training to ship Biological Materials, as well as the Dry Ice and Liquid Nitrogen used to preserve them. If you have never completed the Johns Hopkins DOT/IATA training previously, you need to enroll in the in-person DOT/IATA Dangerous Goods Shipping (Instructor Led) class first.
- DOT/ IATA Dangerous Goods Shipping (Online) – Training Renewal: If you have completed the DOT/IATA Dangerous Goods Shipping (Instructor Led) prerequisite, you can renew your eligibility by completing the online version, DOT/ IATA Dangerous Goods Shipping (Online).
- DOT/IATA Shipping Consumer Commodities (Online Only)-This course provides necessary training to ship Consumer Commodity and Limited Quantity Hazardous Materials for transport. This course is designed primarily for Pharmacy staff shipping drugs which meet the criteria of Consumer Commodities.