Transportation of hazardous materials and chemicals in and between UCSF buildings must follow the guidelines outlined in the UCSF Chemical Hygiene Plan and EH&S Safety Updates. These guidelines include:
- Use of designated freight or passenger elevators is required.
- Stairways shall not be used for transport of hazardous materials.
- Secondary containment on cart or bottle carriers is required for movement of chemicals outside of manufacturer’s packaging. Carts shall be used for quantities exceeding 1 gallon.
- Incompatible materials shall not be transported on the same cart.
- Carts and trucks used to transport hazardous materials shall be designed to provide a stable base and shall have a means of restraining containers to prevent accidental dislodgement.
- Deliveries shall not be left unattended and shall be appropriately stored upon delivery.
- Hazardous Materials include liquid dewars for cryogens, large dry ice transport coolers & chemical, radioactive, and biological waste.
- Biological materials shall be transported in accordance with UCSF Infectious Agent Shipping and Transport Policy.
- Personal vehicles shall not be used to transport hazardous materials.
Elevator Transport: UCSF has installed warning signage in all designated freight or passenger elevators where there is a need to transport hazardous materials.
- UCSF Elevators shall have no passengers other than the individual(s) handling the chemical transport cart, dewar or dry ice container.
- Hazardous materials liquid containers shall have a maximum capacity of 20 liters (5.28 gal), excluding cryogenic dewars.
- Means shall be provided to prevent the elevator from being summoned to other floors; the transporter of hazardous materials is expected to prohibit additional riders from boarding if elevator car stops at a floor by notifying person(s) of requirement and referencing the warning signage (left).
- This shall not apply to mixed-boxed deliveries where original manufacturer’s packaging is present, i.e. FedEx, UPS, but delivery personnel are expected to inspect all boxes for damage or leaks prior to transport.
If you need to ship or transport hazardous materials from one campus location to another or to another institution, refer to Shipping Hazardous Materials webpage. The shipment and transport of dangerous goods is governed by the Department of Transportation, the International Air Transport Association for shipments via air. Improper shipment and transport of dangerous goods can result in serious injuries to the public and large fines from the Department of Transportation.