The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the transportation and transport of
hazardous materials in commerce. Current DOT regulations require training (and retraining)
of all employees who perform work functions covered by the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180). Any employee who works in a shipping, receiving or
material handling area or who may be involved in preparing or transporting hazardous
materials is required to have training.
The Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) is the backbone of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations. Understanding and knowing how to use this table is the first step
toward compliance. For each material listed, the Hazardous Materials Table identifies each
hazard class or specifies that the material is forbidden in transportation. It provides the proper
shipping name of the material or directs the user to the preferred proper shipping name. In
addition, the table specifies or references requirements pertaining to labeling, packaging,
quantity limits aboard aircraft, and stowage of hazardous materials aboard vessels.
It will not be necessary for Dry Ice authorized persons to actually use this table since the
trained EHS Hazmat Specialist will perform all Hazardous Materials Determinations as
discussed in Pre-Shipment Preparations. It is important that the Dry Ice authorized person be
aware that their activities as shippers are regulated and that proper training is required.
Dry Ice is commonly used as a refrigerant to maintain samples in either a frozen or cold state.
Dry Ice or Carbon Dioxide, Solid, is considered a hazardous material by the DOT. The
transportation of Dry Ice is regulated by the DOT only when shipped by either Air or Water
modes. Dry Ice is not regulated by DOT as a hazardous material when shipped by Highway
mode, such as UPS Ground Service. Samples preserved with Dry Ice are almost exclusively
shipped by Air mode because of the urgency of the shipment.
The following is part of the information that is listed for Dry Ice as it is shown in the
Hazardous Materials Table:
Carbon dioxide, solid or Dry ice 9 UN1845 I I I.
The proper shipping name is Carbon dioxide, solid or Dry ice. We will always use the
second choice, Dry Ice, for shipping papers and marking. The 9 indicates that Dry Ice is a
Hazard Class 9 material. Hazard Class 9 is assigned to materials which present a hazard
during transportation, but which do not meet the definition of any other hazard class. In the
case of Dry Ice, the carbon dioxide gas that is generated as the Dry Ice sublimes could
displace oxygen in the closed environment of an airplane which could in turn cause the flight
crew to lose control of the airplane. The UN1845 is the United Nations identification number
specifically for Dry Ice. In a transportation emergency this identification number can help a
first responder quickly assess the type and hazards of the hazardous materials present.
Finally, the roman numerals I I I are the Packing Group which is an indication of the relative
degree of hazard for the specified Hazard Class. A Packing Group I indicates a high degree
of hazard, a Packing Group I I indicates a moderate degree of hazard, and a Packing Group
I I I indicates a low degree of hazard. While Dry Ice is a Class 9 hazardous material, the
DOT has determined that it poses a relatively low degree of hazard.
When Dry Ice preserved samples are shipped, the packages must be handled as restricted
goods per the University�s Policy on Preparing and Shipping Packages Containing
Hazardous Materials that is found in the Business Policy and Procedure Manual, Section
7:040.
[Ref: Preparing and Shipping Packages Containing Hazardous Materials, 7:040, The
Business Policy and Procedure Manual, University of Missouri-Columbia, available at
www.pmm.missouri.edu/mubussrv/07-040.htm]
SECURITY AWARENESS
As a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and subsequent threats related to
biological and chemical materials, the DOT has issued security requirements for persons who
ship hazardous materials. An integral part of the DOT security requirements are
transportation security plans. While Dry Ice shipments are not normally subject to these
requirements, the DOT has specified that all hazmat employees receive security awareness
training. The following paragraphs are based on security awareness training materials
developed by the DOT and address potential targets, potential threats, and prevention.
Hazardous materials are essential for the economy of the United States and the wellbeing of
its citizens. Millions of tons of hazardous materials are transported every day. They are
moved by plane, train, truck, and vessel. The quantities in these shipments range from a few
ounces to many thousands of gallons. In the wrong hands hazardous materials can pose a
significant threat. Some of them are easily transformed into terrorist weapons. Addressing
this threat is vital to protecting our citizens and our economy.
What if a cargo of chlorine gas is hijacked and released at a large public event such as an MU
football game? This unthinkable act is possible, thus the security of hazardous materials in
transportation is of critical importance. While many of the materials classified by the DOT as
hazardous materials are essential products for industry, they also represent potential deadly
weapons in the hands of a terrorist. Some relatively simple chemical mixtures can cause a
powerful explosion if detonated or ignited. The task of securing hazardous materials against
unauthorized access is daunting. For example, the transportation of gasoline and propane
requires a nation-wide fleet of 85,000 trucks. Law enforcement agencies alone cannot
guarantee the safety of these trucks or the security of our transportation system. The help of everyone involved in the transportation of hazardous materials, including shippers both large
and small, is needed to secure the transportation system.
A suicide bomber drives a truck loaded with ammonium nitrate, urea, and nitric acid into the
garage of a high-rise office building. A terrorist cell ignites a stolen truck of gasoline in New
York�s Hudson River Tunnel. An anti-government militia ignites 24 million gallons of liquid
propane in a storage facility. All of these scenarios are credible because they either actually
happened or were planned and successfully prevented. These are just three examples of acts
of violence that illustrate the vulnerability of hazardous materials in our transportation
system. A terrorist or saboteur may target railroad tracks, highways, bridges, tunnels,
chemical plants, population centers, or historic monuments. The fraudulent shipment of a
small quantity of material by a group or individual intent on destruction is all that may be
required to implement a terrorist attack. We must be aware that, regardless of how unlikely
we feel that these types of events might happen, the potential threat exists.
What type of people might pose the most significant threat to transportation security? While
the most likely terrorist threats are external, the unsuspected attacker could be a disgruntled
employee, angry with his or her supervisor, job, or the government. He or she may often feel
persecuted and sometimes make overt threats of violence. Any threat should be taken
seriously. While external threats are most significant, we have learned that terrorists can be
patient and may infiltrate legitimate businesses. Often they have worked for months or years
in a job in order to obtain a position of trust that they can use to their advantage. Part-time
and temporary employees who have access to hazardous materials may use their position to
carry out acts of sabotage or theft.
What can you do to prevent or deter unauthorized access to potentially lethal hazardous
materials? Start with a serious evaluation of your specific operation to identify its
vulnerabilities. In matters of personnel, MU Human Resource Services routinely screens
finalists applying for positions at MU to confirm the data provided by the applicants.
Concerning hazardous materials security, you should consider keeping storage areas locked,
restricting access by non-employees, and keeping updated and accurate inventories. Also
consider conducting regular inspections of storage areas and conducting spot checks of
personnel and vehicles.

Cliff note, ship it canned.