Lion.com will be offline for scheduled maintenance on Wednesday, April 15, for about one hour starting at 5:15 PM ET. 
Search

Question of the Week: Shipping Samples Under 49 CFR 172.101(c)

Posted on 9/22/2011 by James Griffin

Q. I have a material I need to ship off site that might be a DOT hazmat, but I’m not sure. I want to send a sample to a laboratory for testing, but how do I do that if I don’t know what its properties are? What do I have to do to ship this sample in compliance with the DOT’s regulations when I don’t know what kind of hazmat it is in the first place?
 
A. Fortunately for you, the DOT has considered this conundrum. 
 
When you have a material and you are unsure what kind of hazmat it is, you may tentatively assign a Proper Shipping Name, hazard class, identification number, and packing group in order to ship a sample to a place where it can be analyzed. Your tentative classification will be based on your knowledge of the material, the hazard class criteria and definitions in 49 CFR Part 173, and the precedence of hazards prescribed in 49 CFR 173.2a (49 CFR 172.101(c)(11)).
 
Once you have picked a tentative shipping name and description for your sample, you will package, mark, label, prepare shipping papers, offer placards, and in all other ways follow the hazardous material regulations as if it were any other hazmat shipment; provided you comply with the following additional requirements and restrictions:
 
  • The sample must be packed in a combination packaging. 
  • The net mass of the sample cannot exceed 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.). 
  • You must add the word “SAMPLE” to the Proper Shipping Name on the package markings and shipping papers, unless it is already present. 
For shipping names that include a “G” in Column 1 of the 172.101 Hazardous Material Table, you typically must add the technical name of the hazardous constituent(s) to the description on the shipping papers and package markings. If you don’t know what the primary hazardous constituents are, then you don’t need to include a technical name when you ship a sample for analysis under Section 172.101(c)(11).
 
These reliefs for unclassified samples do not apply to: 
 
  • Forbidden materials described at 49 CFR 173.21; 
  • Explosives described at 49 CFR 173.54, 173.56(d), and 173.56(e); 
  • New self-reactive materials (49 CFR 173.224(c)); and 
  • New organic peroxides (49 CFR 173.225(b)). 
 

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, marks and labels, shipping papers

Find a Post

Recent Posts

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S Manager

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

Having the tutorial buttons for additional information was extremely beneficial.

Sharon Ziemek

EHS Manager

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor made the class enjoyable. He presented in a very knowledgeable, personable manner. Best class I've ever attended. Will take one again.

John Nekoloff

Environmental Compliance Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Ace hazmat inspections. Protect personnel. Defend against civil and criminal penalties. How? See the self-audit "best practices" for hazardous materials shippers.

Download
Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.