Environment, Health and Safety

Chapter 11 - Hazardous Material Shipping

Chapter 11 - Hazardous Material Shipping

The transport of hazardous materials is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Civil Aviation Organization. An additional regulatory body formed by the airlines is called the International Air Transport Association (IATA); however, their regulations are only enforceable by the airlines. All University transportation (including shipping) of hazardous materials off University owned property is subject to DOT enforcement.

 EHS provides the following hazardous material shipping compliance services:

  • Compliance training
  • Maintenance of training records​
  • University DOT certification program
  • General compliance assistance
  • Oversight of shipping stations (where untrained/uncertified individuals may have a hazardous material shipped for them)

11.1 Regulated Hazardous Materials

11.1 Regulated Hazardous Materials

The following materials are regulated as hazardous materials for transportation:

  • Alcohol solutions
  • Compressed gases
  • Corrosives
  • Dry Ice (air shipments only)
  • Explosives
  • Flammable liquids and solids
  • Formaldehyde - solutions between 0.1% and 25% (air shipments only)
  • Infectious substances (animals and humans only)
  • Oxidizers
  • Poisons
  • Radioactive materials  

Other Resources:

11.2 Hazardous Materials Transportation Requirements

11.2 Hazardous Materials Transportation Requirements

The following must be adhered to for all shipments involving hazardous materials:

  • All shipments of hazardous materials from the University must be prepared by a trained and Cornell University certified individuals. Anyone who classifies, packages, marks, or labels hazardous materials for shipment must be a trained and Cornell University certified individual.
  • Transport of hazardous materials by Cornell University members for University business requires the preparer and the driver to be trained and Cornell University certified. 
  • Shipments of hazardous materials received by Cornell University do not require a trained and Cornell University certified individual unless they help unload the truck.  
It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator or laboratory supervisor to ensure any employee working under their supervision who ships or prepare shipments of hazardous materials have received the proper training.

For any other questions, please email the Hazardous Materials Shipping Program Coordinator at askEHS@cornell.edu or call 607-255-8200.