Package shippers (e.g. FedEx, Airborne, UPS) can generally ship most anything, of any shape, size, weight and content; however, some shipments do require special handling in order to be shipped safely. It is the responsibility of the person preparing the package - the sender - to assure that the package to be shipped meets all safe shipping requirements. Accordingly, all shipments of hazardous materials or hazardous waste (Dangerous Goods) must be performed by the Unit Production Manager or the Production Coordinator. No other employee is authorized to ship Dangerous Goods.
Transporting Small Quantities of Hazardous Materials by Production Vehicles
Productions in the United States that transport small quantities of hazardous materials using production vehicles may be subject to rules contained in Materials of Trade (MOT) regulations found in CFR §173.6. MOT’s are hazardous materials, other than hazardous waste, that can be carried on a production’s motor vehicles. MOT rules do not apply to ground or air shipments provided by third party vendors (see below for guidance regarding shipping hazardous goods). It is important that department heads and the Transportation Department are familiar with MOT requirements.
The complete Materials of Trade rule can be found here: DOT - Materials of Trade Information Sheet
Identification of Dangerous Goods for Shipping
Packages that require special safety handling are generally those packages that contain dangerous goods.
The IATA (International Air Transport Association) defines dangerous goods as follows:
Dangerous goods are articles or substances which are capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety or property when transported by air and which are classified as dangerous goods.
Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations define most dangerous goods as regulated hazardous materials. Hazardous materials may include, but are not limited to the following:
| · lithium batteries | · oxidizers |
| · corrosives | · non-toxic gases |
| · radioactive materials | · organic peroxides |
| · non-flammable gases | · Infectious substances |
| · toxic gas | · flammable gases |
| · substances liable to spontaneous
combustion |
· substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases |
| · flammable solids | · explosives |
You may be familiar with these types of substances - they come in the form of batteries (for personal devices and production camera and sound equipment), paints and thinners, special effects materials, hair and makeup supplies, etc.
Safe Shipment of Dangerous Goods
Before shipping packages, it is important that you identify the contents with the person who is requesting the shipment. If the package contains substances that could be considered dangerous or hazardous, contact the Unit Production Manager and/or Production Coordinator. Unit Production Managers and Production Coordinators should contact their shipping company and speak to a customer service representative. He or she will be able to assist you in preparing the proper shipping papers, package labels, etc.
Lithium Battery Shipment
Whether a lithium battery can be carried by passenger aircraft or not depends on its configuration and either Watt-hour rating (for rechargeable) or lithium content (for non-rechargeable). Larger lithium batteries used in production equipment (cameras, sound equipment, etc.) generally cannot be transported on passenger aircraft and must be shipped on cargo flights. Smaller lithium batteries (mobile phone, laptop computer, etc.) may be transported onboard passenger aircraft although restrictions still exist regarding quantity and placement (carry-on versus checked). Equipment suppliers and package shippers will have up-to-date shipping information.
Remember - not all hazardous substances are clearly labeled with large warnings and caution symbols. Dangerous goods can come in the form of small household or personal items such as hairspray (in compressed air cans) or laptop computers (lithium batteries). Assistance is always available from your shipping vendor, equipment supplier or the IATA website: www.iata.org