Local Transport of Materials

All materials must be appropriately packaged, labeled and transported in order to minimize the potential for environmental release.

Biological Materials

  • Definition, Examples
    Infectious Substances: viable microorganisms, including a bacterium, virus, recombinant, hybrid, or mutant that are known or reasonably believed to cause disease in humans or animals. Plant pathogens may require special packaging as well.

    Diagnostic Specimens: any human or animal material including but not limited to, excreta, secreta, blood and its components, tissue, cells, or fluids.

    Common examples: microbiological cultures, cell lines, DNA samples, blood and serum samples
  • Transport Biological Materials by Vehicle
    1. Primary container designed to contain the material. Do not use food containers or other containers not originally designed for laboratory storage purposes.
    2. Place primary sample containers into appropriate secondary container. If material is liquid or may release liquids, use leak – proof secondary container with secure lid.  
    3. Place enough absorbent material in the secondary container to absorb all free liquids in the event that primary containers rupture or break during transport.
    4. Place primary containers in secondary container in a manner that will reduce shock, rupture, and/or breakage. Multiple tubes should be separated by a rack or shock absorbent material, keeping the tubes from bumping one another, causing them to break.
    5. Label the outside of the secondary container with:
      1. Emergency contact information;
      2. General description of contents; and
      3. Biohazard symbol if the materials to be transported are classified as BSL-2.
    6. University – owned vehicle is required whenever possible for transport.* Secure the container in a location in the vehicle whereby if an accident occurs, the container or its contents will not be an exposure risk to the driver or environment.  For example in a car it can be placed in the back seat or trunk, secured with bungee cords or seat belt to keep it upright and stable.
    7. Properly packaged and secured, a spill should NOT occur during transport. In the event of a spill:
      1. Outside of a building: isolate the area and contact EHS at 355-0153. Stay at spill site until EHS arrives.
      2. In a vehicle and spill contains known or suspected to contain pathogens: leave the vehicle with closed windows and locked doors. Contact EHS 355-0153 and stay at spill site until EHS arrives.
  • Transport Biological Materials by Hand Carry

    Packaging: A primary container that is designed for the type of material to be held within.

    Containment: A secondary container that will contain all leakage or spillage of materials from primary containers if a rupture occurs. Containers should be leak-proof and capable of being securely closed.

    Absorbent: Absorbent material (i.e. bench pads, paper towels) to be placed around primary containers if they contain liquids. The quantity of absorbent material should be adequate to absorb all free liquids held in secondary container.

    Labeling: Emergency contact information. General description of contents (i.e. "research-related specimens"). Biohazard symbol is required if the materials to be transported are classified as BSL-2.

    Example: Transporting Salmonella culture samples from one building to another and crossing a roadway: Packaged in culture dishes, wrapped in parafilm and placed in a zip lock bag. This bag is then placed in a cooler that has a lid that locks into place. The bags are surrounded by material to keep the dishes in an upright orientation and from moving around during transport. Cooler is labeled with biohazard sticker, contact information, and "culture specimens for research with Salmonella". Cooler is sprayed or wiped down prior to leaving laboratory. Cooler is hand carried - no lab coat or gloves are used when carrying.

Chemicals/Drugs

  • Transport Chemicals/Drugs by Vehicle
    1. Primary container designed to contain the material. Do not use food containers or other containers not originally designed for laboratory storage purposes.
    2. Place primary sample containers into appropriate secondary container. This container should be leak-proof with a latchable lid.   
    3. Place enough absorbent material in the secondary container to absorb all free liquids in the event that the primary containers rupture or break during transport.
    4. Place primary containers in secondary container in a manner that will reduce shock, rupture, and/or breakage. Use plastic containers when possible. Multiple glass containers should be separated by a rack or shock absorbent material, keeping the containers from bumping one another, causing them to break.
    5. Label the outside of the secondary container with:
      1. Emergency contact information (name and phone number); and
      2. Attach a Safety Data Sheet for the chemicals inside.
    6. University – owned vehicle is required whenever possible for transport.* Secure the container in a location in the vehicle whereby if an accident occurs, the container or its contents will not be an exposure risk to the driver or environment.  For example in a car it can be placed in the back seat or trunk, secured with bungee cords or seat belt to keep it upright and stable.
    7. Properly packaged and secured, a spill should NOT occur during transport. In the event of a spill:
      1. Outside of a building: isolate the area and contact EHS at 355-0153. Stay at spill site until EHS arrives.
      2. In a vehicle: leave the vehicle with closed windows and locked doors. Contact EHS 355-0153 and stay at spill site until EHS arrives.
  • Cryogen, Gas Cylinders

    Cryogen dewars and gas cylinders may not be transported in closed vehicles, including inside passenger cars, mini-vans or SUV type vehicles. Cryogens and gas cylinders can only be transported in:

    1. Open vehicles such as flatbed trucks, pickup trucks, etc.*; or
    2. In trucks where the cab is separate from the storage compartment*


    Dewars and cylinders must be properly secured in the truck bed area and not be allowed to roll or bump against other objects while in transport. Please call MSU EHS at 517-355-0153 for more information about safe transport of cryogen dewars and/or compressed gas cylinders.

    See also: Transporting Cryogenics

*It is strongly recommended to use a University vehicle when transporting potentially dangerous materials by vehicle. Per the MSU Office of Risk Management and Insurance, If an MSU employee uses their personal vehicle for University business and an accident or some other damage should occur, the employee would need to look to their own insurance for both the physical damage of their vehicle and liability coverage (damage they may cause). See Vehicle Usage

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