Campus Transport of Biologicals

Applies to transport within a building (e.g., in stairwells, elevators, through lobbies, office space, public or non-lab spaces) and between laboratory buildings within a short distance (e.g., across street, down sidewalk, across parking lot).  Transport by bicycle, e-bike or scooter is discouraged.

• Use leak-proof specimen containers (primary containers) with secure closures or place specimen within a secure closing container (such as ziplock bag or screw-cap canister).
  • Examples: Cryovial snap-cap tube, solid media plate within a ziplock bag, screw-cap tube or vial.
• Place specimen or bundle multiple specimens into a secondary container that is leak-proof.
  • Container must not open, break, crack or leak when dropped.
  • May use ziplock bags, screw-cap canisters, large conical tubes, small bins with lids.
  • Use cushioning material to keep specimens padded & separated during transport (e.g., paper towels, bubble wrap, vial sleeves, microtube boxes, tube racks).
  • For liquid specimens, surround primary container with absorbent material to absorb leaks in transit (e.g., absorbent pads, paper towel).
• Clean the outside of the secondary container(s) using an appropriate disinfectant.
  • Use a disinfectant appropriate for the materials in your laboratory.
  • Container(s) should be safe to handle without PPE in the event handling is needed during transport.
• Attach a biohazard label to the secondary container, if necessary..
• Label the secondary container(s) as to the contents.
  • Or label the primary container if the label is visible without opening the secondary container.
  • Alternately include a brief description of contents with the transport container.

• Use a container with a secure closure, preferably a rigid container with lid (e.g., plastic bin, cardboard box.)
  • Must be clean enough to handle without gloves or PPE during transport.
• Pack secondary containers within the outer container using padding material to prevent shifting during transport.
• Label exterior container with:
  • Contact information for responsible person/lab (Name, phone, lab name/location).
  • If moving between buildings, include lab or building address.
  • Brief description of materials and handling information applicable to your materials.
    • Should be informational without causing undue alarm to non-lab individuals during transport. Examples for labeling:
      • “Biological Research Specimens”, “Research Samples”, “Diagnostic Specimens”.
  • Labels must be legible and durable (water resistant is recommended).
• Outer container must be clean to handle without PPE – disinfect surface of the container,  if necessary, to remove any contamination acquired during packing.

• Avoid moving large or fragile materials by hand if a cart is available for transport between laboratories, building floors or between buildings.
• Take care when moving materials through public spaces or high traffic walkways.
• Do not leave the package unattended, do not bring the package into food or bathroom areas.

• Be prepared to clean a spill immediately, if necessary, during transport.
• Portable spill kits can be assembled easily: gloves, eye protection, disinfectant, absorbent material, hand sanitizer, waste disposal bag.
• Have a means to contact someone for assistance or emergency services in the event of an incident.

• Transport on public roads away from campus by fleet or campus vehicles.
• Personal or private vehicle transport of laboratory materials of any kind, including dry ice, for UW-Madison purposes is strongly discouraged, per UW Office of Risk Management.
• Transport of biological materials or specimens in preservative chemicals (formalin, ethanol, isopropanol, etc.) by personal vehicle is not allowed and may violate federal regulations. (More information available from Chemical Safety.)
• Bus or taxi use is discouraged. Drivers may use their own discretion when allowing riders with packages, and you may be refused service. Contact bus or taxi managing authority for policies in advance of transport.
• Transport by bicycle, e-bike or scooter are also discouraged for general road safety reasons.

• Use leak-proof specimen containers (primary containers) with secure closures or place specimen within a secure closing container (such as zip bag or screw-cap canister).

• • Example containers: Cryovial snap-cap tube, solid media plate within a ziplock bag, screw-cap tube or vial.
  • For specimens suspended in formalin, alcohol, ethanol or other chemicals, contact OBS before transport! biosafety@fpm.wisc.edu
• Place the specimen container(s) into a secondary container that is leakproof.
  • Container must not open, break, crack or leak when dropped.
  • May use zip bags, screw-cap canisters, large conical tubes, small bins with lids.
  • Use cushioning material to keep specimens padded & separated during transport (e.g., paper towels, bubble wrap, vial sleeves, microtube boxes, tube racks).
• For liquid specimens, surround primary container with absorbent material to absorb leaks in transit (e.g., absorbent pads, paper towel).Clean the outside of the secondary container(s) with an appropriate disinfectant.
  • Use a disinfectant appropriate for the materials in your laboratory.
  • Container(s) should be safe to handle without PPE in the event handling is needed during transport.
• Attach a biohazard label to the secondary container, if necessary.
• Label the secondary container(s) as to the contents.
  • Or label the primary container if the label is visible without opening the secondary container.
  • Alternately include a brief description of contents with the transport container.

• Use a container with a secure closure, preferably a rigid container (e.g., plastic bin, cardboard box).
• Pack secondary containers within the outer container using padding material to prevent shifting during transport.
• Include a list of contents with the container, describing the specimens within and any known infectious materials or pathogens.
• Label exterior container with:
  • Contact information: Name, phone, lab name/location.
• Origin and Destination locations/addresses.
  • Brief content description and handling information applicable to your materials.
  • Should be informational without causing undue alarm to non-lab individuals during transport. Examples:
    • “Biological Research Specimens”, “Research Samples”, “Diagnostic Specimens”.
  • Labels must be legible and durable (water resistant is recommended).
• Outer container must be clean to handle without PPE – disinfect interior and exterior of the container,  if necessary, to remove any contamination acquired during packing.

• Place package/container in a secure location within the vehicle to avoid tipping or shifting.
• If possible, place in an inconspicuous location within the vehicle (reduces risk of theft).
• Avoid moving materials by hand if a cart is available for transport to and from the vehicle.
• Take care when moving materials through public spaces or high traffic walkways

• Carry a spill kit and spill cleanup procedure during transport.  Include gloves, lab coat, eye protection, disinfectant, absorbent material, and waste bags.
• Do not leave the package unattended. Do not bring package into food or bathroom locations.
• Plan for a worst-case scenario. Roadway accidents are rare and often terrible. Good planning will ensure maximum safety if an accident should occur during transport.
• Pack for easy handling. Bundle multiple small specimens into larger packs within your outer container. If the outer container breaks and spills its contents, it is easier to clean up and contain 1 or 2 bagged specimen bundles rather than 20 small, bagged specimens.
• Be sure to have a means to contact emergency services in the event of an incident.
• Carry a clear list of contents. In an accident, you may not be able to communicate with first responders or bystanders about your materials; be sure the list of contents with the package and labels communicate for you.
  • First Responders should know what risks are present from the list of contents!
• Carry a Contact List. First Responders should know who to contact about the materials.

When transporting dry ice alone or with your biological materials:

• Be Aware: Sublimation of dry ice develops pressure within the container as dangerous concentrations of asphyxiating carbon dioxide vapor is produced.
• Package dry ice in a rigid, insulated container with a loose fitting or ventilated closure.
  • Dry ice must not spill from container during transport.
  • Dry ice must be ventilated to avoid a build-up of pressure inside the container.
• Common containers are Styrofoam coolers with un-sealed lids or cardboard boxes with Styrofoam liners.
• Secure the dry ice container in the trunk or a truck bed, away from driver or passengers.
• Leave windows open to allow fresh air and ventilation for driver and passengers.
  • Avoid placing dry ice inside the vehicle passenger area.
  • Never leave dry ice in a parked passenger vehicle.
  • Sublimation of dry ice in a closed or poorly ventilated passenger vehicle can result in the accumulation of dangerous concentrations of asphyxiating carbon dioxide vapor.
  • Open vents or AC airflow alone is inadequate to offset the carbon dioxide vapor. Windows should be open!
• Dress accordingly for the weather conditions, because your windows should be open even in cold or inclement weather, short or long distance, keep windows open!