Current federal and international regulations require anyone directly involved with the shipment of potentially infectious materials, including biological specimens and cultures, be properly trained on pertinent shipping requirements. The current resource on campus for training in this area is an interactive CD program titled “2006 – Comprehensive Guide to Shipping Infectious Substances & Diagnostic Specimens” produced by Saf-T-Pak, Inc. which is available the front desk of the Medical Library (located in IB Building) for a three-day loan.

Proper documentation of training is required to be maintained on-file. Users of the Saf-T-Pak training program will be given the opportunity to complete an exam at the end of the training module. Following completion of the test, the program will generate a certificate of training. The certificate must be maintained on-file and made available to state or federal inspectors upon request. Refresher training is required every three years; again with documentation of training.

Additional information on shipping requirements is available at the following websites:

For shipment of hazardous or infectious materials through U.S. Mail:

        The United States Postal Service
          * Requires Adobe®Acrobat Reader to view/download

For SAF-T-PAK Training, contact EHS

          Saf-T-Pak


For shipment of hazardous or infectious materials on aircraft:

          International Air Transport Association (IATA)

          The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)


Federal guidelines for transportation of hazardous or infectious materials:

          The United States Department of Transportation (DOT)


For shipment of hazardous or infectious materials through UPS:

          United Parcel Service 

Contact EHS Kevin Mouser at 274-4351, Amanda Stinnett at 278-3328 or Jim Klenner at 274-2830 for additional guidance.