NCI-Frederick Research Donor Program

INTRA-FACILITY TRANSPORTATION OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

POLICY:

It is the policy of the National Cancer Institute-Frederick to ensure that packaging and intrafacility transportation of biological materials is accomplished in a safe manner and in compliance with applicable regulations.

PROCEDURE:

This procedure is restricted only to the transportation of biological materials (i.e., blood or other potentially infectious material as defined by OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030; non-human blood, body fluids, tissue, organs and etiologic agents) within the NCI-Frederick facility located on Fort Detrick, in Frederick, Maryland. For information pertaining to the transportation of other hazardous materials or transportation of materials outside of the facility, refer to NCI-Frederick Policy and Procedure #702, "Packaging and Transportation", and Safety and Environmental Protection Program (SEPP) Safetygram ISM-142, "Transportation of Biological Materials".

When transporting biological materials within the facility, it is necessary to use appropriate packaging, containers, labels and handling procedures.

• A. PACKAGING
  
  
  1. Primary Receptacle
     
     Primary receptacles may only be of glass, metal or plastic. Positive means of ensuring a leak-proof seal during collection, handling, processing, storage and transport must be provided, such as heat seal, skirted stopper or metal crimp seal.
     
     
  2. Secondary Packaging
     
     The primary receptacle shall be placed in a watertight secondary packaging. Multiple primary receptacles placed in a single secondary packaging must be wrapped, individually, with an absorbent material, to ensure that contact between them is prevented. The secondary packaging, containing the primary receptacle may then be wrapped in absorbent material, prior to placement in the transport container, to ensure minimal risk of breakage during transport.
     
     
  3. Absorbent Material
     
     The absorbent material, for example, cotton wool, must be sufficient to absorb the entire contents of all primary receptacles.
     
     
  4. Transport Containers
     
     The transport container must be sealable and break-resistant (i.e. sealable cans, closed styrofoam chests and metal, cardboard or plastic mailing tubes). Transport containers must be marked durably and legibly, on the outside of the package, with the name and telephone number of a person responsible for the material, and with applicable warning labels.
     
     
• B. WARNING LABELS
  
  Warning labels shall be affixed to containers used to transport human blood or other potentially infectious materials. Labels required by this section include the standard "BIOHAZARD" symbol and shall be fluorescent orange or orange-red with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color. Warning labels may also include standard "BLOOD AND BODY FLUID PRECAUTIONS" labels.
  
  Biological specimens from humans or experimental animals infected with human pathogens, which have been subjected to fixation using protocols that have been reviewed and approved by the SEPP, may be placed in a suitable container and labeled "BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN". Specimens which have not been fixed shall be labeled with a BIOHAZARD" symbol.
  
  
• C. TRANSPORTATION
  
  Properly packaged biological materials shall be transported, by the receiver or other appointed individual (who has received blood-borne pathogen training), directly to the receiver's laboratory or building within the facility. Transportation shall be accomplished in such a way as to prevent any violent manipulation or droppage of the transport container.
  
  
• D. EXPOSURE CONTROL
  
  In the event of an exposure due to the breakage or spill of biological materials in transport, the NCI-Frederick Exposure Control Plan, available on the NCI-Frederick Employee Home Page or from the SEPP Biological Safety Officer, shall be implemented.
  
  
  

Last Updated 3/4/99