LABORATORY TEST DIRECTORY

Testing

Infectious Substance, Category A

Category A, Infectious Disease Tests

Transport Supplies

There are three types of pressurized secondary containers provided by ARUP that are used for the inner packaging of Infectious Substances. Selection of the container depends on the number of Infectious Substances or the type of specimens to be shipped. Use only containers provided by ARUP.

Large plastic container with a screw cap, O-ring lid, foam plug, and supplied plastic bag: ARUP Supply Number: 19813
Primary Usage: For transport of slants, irregularly shaped specimens, or larger specimens.

Instructions for Use: Put the primary container that holds the specimen in the opening of the foam plug. Place the foam plug inside the plastic bag and seal the bag. Place the plastic bag with the foam plug in the pressure container, making sure the foam cushions are in place on the top and bottom of the secondary container. Screw the lid on to sufficiently engage the O-ring for proper sealing. Infectious Substances should only be shipped ambient. Be sure to mark the “Ambient” shipping temperature on the outside of the pressure container. Place the secondary container in the outer packaging, using the Instructions for Clients Packing and Shipping Their Own Infectious Substances section.
Medium plastic container with a white screw-top lid and a sheet of absorbent material in a zippered plastic bag: ARUP Supply Number: 19814
Primary Usage: For transport of multiple individual transport tubes or similar whole blood tubes.

Instructions for Use: Unfold the absorbent material as a sheet. Insert the primary container that holds the specimen in a pouch in the absorbent material, adding up to six primary containers. Place the sheet holding the primary containers in the plastic bag and seal the bag. Place the bag in the secondary container. Tighten the screwcap lid to engage the O-ring for proper sealing. Infectious Substances should only be shipped ambient. Be sure to mark the “Ambient” shipping temperature on the outside of the pressure container. Place the secondary container in the outer packaging, using the Instructions for Clients Packing and Shipping Their Own Infectious Substances section.
Clear plastic tube with screw-top lid and absorbent material: ARUP Supply Number: 19815

Primary Usage: For an individual transport tube.

Instructions for Use: Wrap the primary container that holds the specimen in the absorbent material. Place the primary container and absorbent material in the pressure container. Tighten the screw-cap lid until it engages the tamper seal. Infectious Substances should only be shipped ambient. Be sure to mark the “Ambient” shipping temperature on the outside of the pressure container. Place the secondary container in the outer packaging using the Instructions for Clients Packing and Shipping Their Own Infectious Substances in the following section.

Infectious Substance, Category A

Packing Procedures

Depending on the quantity and type of specimen being sent, obtain a large, medium, or clear plastic tube pressure container. Secure specimen inside the container following container usage instructions.
For Infectious Substances, a positive means of closure is required for all ambient specimens. If screw caps are used, they must be secured with adhesive tape, not parafilm.
Infectious Substances must be shipped in their own shipping container, with no other specimen types, and must not contain dry ice.
Locate the packet that consists of the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods form, two Class 6 Infectious Substances labels and two Infectious Substance, Affecting Humans labels. 5. The client is responsible for filling out two Infectious Substance, Affecting Humans labels. Indicate the total number and volume of specimens being sent (refer to example).
Take the above-mentioned packet, along with the packing list, and place them in the outside pouch of the appropriate color-coded specimen bag.
Place the pressure container into the green color-coded specimen bag. Completely fill out the information on the outside of the bag. Remove the perforated section of the bag for your tracking records.
Place the green color-coded bag in the appropriate temperature location for courier to pick up.

DOT and IATA Requirements for Infectious Substances

When preparing and shipping Infectious Substances, it is essential that each specimen be packaged and shipped properly. Complying with the regulations set forth by the DOT and the IATA will control or eliminate many health and financial liabilities, both criminal and civil.

These regulations specify that anyone who ships or causes to be shipped any hazardous materials must have received training from a certified source within the last two years. A record of this training must be maintained during the term of employment and for one year following termination of employment. The training record must include the following:

Individual’s name
Most recent training completion date
Description, copy, or reference to training materials used to meet the training requirement
Name and address of the organization that provided the training
Copy of the certification issued when the individual was trained, indicating that a test has been completed satisfactorily

Infectious Substance training is available online through ARUP. For more information, consult your Business Development Manager.

If clients ship their own specimens, the person packing the shipment is the client’s designated employee, and the client is the shipper. If the courier ships specimens, the client is required to mark the Infectious Substance, Affecting Humans label with the total number and volume of specimens being shipped, and the courier packs the shipment and becomes the shipper.

Note: The following instructions do not meet the requirements for certified training as set forth in DOT and IATA regulations. ARUP is providing this information for shipping via air transport, not as training material, but as a reference for our clients. Other similarly stringent regulations apply for those who ship via ground or mail service. Questions regarding specific regulations may be directed to ARUP Transportation and Logistics Services at (800) 242-2787, extension 5119.

Inner Packaging
As defined by IATA Packing Instruction 602, inner packaging is comprised of:

Waterproof primary receptacle
Waterproof secondary packaging
Absorbent material placed between the primary receptacle and secondary packaging

Note: Absorbent material is not required for solid substances; however, the container must be sift-proof.

Instructions for Clients Packing and Shipping Their Own Infectious Substances

Important Notes

Place the pressure container in the green color-coded bag and then in the ambient section of the outer packaging.
Fill out the Infectious Substance, Affecting Humans label. The technical name is not required on this label. Total number and volume of the infectious specimen being shipped must be on the Infectious Substance, Affecting Humans label. Shipper’s name (client), address, and phone number of the person responsible for the shipment must also be entered. If courier picks up the specimens, they will fill out this section.
Place the Class 6 label (see picture example) and the Infectious Substance, Affecting Humans label on both sides of the outer packaging (yellow shipping container).

Make sure to place the foam plug on top of the specimens inside the shipping container.
Seal the yellow shipping container by folding the flaps down and securing the nylon strap.
Complete the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods form (see Preparing the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods for Infectious Substances on page 21). Note: One copy of the declaration form should be kept on hand for two years.

Complete the Air Waybill (see Preparing the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods for Infectious Substances below) and place it on the shipping container.

Preparing the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods For Infectious Substances

Information in red will be preprinted by ARUP on the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods for Infectious Substances form.

Shipper: Enter the full name and address of the shipper. If the client prepares the shipment, the client is the shipper. If the courier receives a properly labeled specimen, the courier is the shipper.
Consignee: Enter the full name and address of the consignee and the name and telephone number of a responsible person for contact in case of an emergency. Use the name, “Paul H. Brinton, (801) 584‑5136.”
Air Waybill Number: Enter the number of the Air Waybill. In the case of DHL, special Air Waybills are available that combine the Air Waybill and the Shipper’s Declaration into one document.
Page of Pages: Enter the page number and the total number of pages.
Airport of Departure: Enter the full name of the airport or city of departure. Do not use the three-letter airport code.
Airport of Destination: Enter the full name of the airport or city of destination. Do not use the three-letter airport code.
Nature and Quantity of Dangerous Goods: The following should be included in this section:
- Quantity and Type of Packing: Enter the total number and volume of specimens of the infectious substance within the shipping container.
- Packing Instruction: Enter the number “602” for the specimens.
- Authorization: You may no longer ship a quantity of blood or blood product larger than 50 mL.
- Additional Handling Information: Do not enter information in this field.
Name and Title of Signatory: Enter the name and title of the person who is signing the declaration. This information may be printed or stamped (on all copies). Enter the date and the location where the declaration form is signed. The shipper must sign the declaration, and the signature must be written by hand and not typed.
The Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (provided by ARUP) includes three copies; two copies should be sent with the shipment, and the shipper should keep the last copy of the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods form with a copy of the airbill for two years.

When Shipping via Federal Express or DHL

Fill in the shipper information on the Air Waybill, including the name and phone number of the person sending the shipment. If the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is part of the Air Waybill, follow the procedures above for filling out this form.
On the Air Waybill under the section entitled Handling Information, write the statement: “Dangerous goods as per attached Shipper’s Declaration.”
Enter the number of boxes being sent and the weight of the boxes in the appropriate section.
Attach the Air Waybill by removing the adhesive tape and applying the sticker to the shipping container.
Retain the top copy of the Air Waybill as a record of the shipment.
Two copies of the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods must be presented to the forwarder with the shipment. The shipper keeps one copy. The copy must be kept for two years following receipt of the shipment.
Call (800) 242-2787, #4, with the Air Waybill number, so that your shipment can be tracked by ARUP. Please advise the person receiving the call that the shipment contains infectious substances and include the quantity of the organism(s) being shipped.

Note: Shipments sent via Federal Express or DHL should only be shipped Monday through Friday. Do not ship on Saturday. If specimens are shipped on Friday, the Air Waybill must be marked for Saturday Delivery under the Special Instructions section, or the shipment will not be delivered until Monday.

When Shipping via the Airlines

Note:Exempt Human Specimens are exempt from the hazardous transport regulations. These specimens will be accepted on most commuter and commercial airlines. There must be no reference to the terminology of Biological Substances, Category B, either on the shipping container or the Air Waybill. The Air Waybill must include the verbiage, “Exempt Human Specimens,” listed under the contents/description section. Biological and Infectious shipments can only be transported on those airlines that have the appropriate hazardous materials training and accept these types of shipments. Check with the local carriers in your area or contact ARUP.

Fill in the shipper and consignee information on the Air Waybill, including the name and phone number of the person sending the shipment. Refer to Shipper in the Preparing the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods for Infectious Substances section.
On the Air Waybill under the section entitled Handling Information, write the statement: “Dangerous goods as per attached Shipper’s Declaration.”
Under the section entitled Nature and Quantity of Goods, a description of the contents of the shipment must be listed. This description will include “Medical Specimens” (infectious). No dry ice information is required when shipping Infectious Substances since these types of specimens are shipped ambient.
Two copies of the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods must be presented to the forwarder with the shipment. The shipper should keep one copy with a copy of the Air Waybill. The copy must be kept for two years following the receipt of the shipment.
Call (800) 242-2787, #4, with the Air Waybill number, so that your shipment can be tracked by ARUP. Please advise the person receiving the call that the shipment contains Infectious Substances and include the quantity of the organism(s) being shipped.

Please note: Carriers such as Comair, Atlantic Southeast, American Eagle, and some others will not carry specimens identified as Category B and Infectious on their aircraft. In those cases, priority mail such as DHL or Federal Express must be used.