PO Box 1232 Freeport, IL 61032

Materials of Trade

Q&A: Can employees use personal vehicles to transport Division 6.2, Category B samples as Materials of Trade?

Question:

Hi Daniel,
Thank you for your help.

I have another issue, I’d like to run by you. I have been allowing trained researcher to use their personal vehicles for single use transportation of exempt samples, patient samples that could be Cat B (NOT Cat B cultures) and unregulated biological samples under MOTS (aka: the Materials of Trade exception). As I interpret the DOT MOTS, that is allowed. Would you agree with this assessment?

Thanks again,

Etiologic Agent LabelMy reply:

Yes. that is OK under the Materials of Trade exception as long as you comply specifically with 49 CFR 173.6(a)(4) and the remainder of §173.6 for packaging, hazard communication, “inform the driver” &etc.

A summary of the Materials of Trade exception for Division 6.2 Infectious substances:
  • Includes:
    • Human or animal samples for research, diagnosis, disease treatment or prevention, &etc.
    • Biological product or regulated medical waste.
    • Sharps
  • Must not be a Category A Infectious Substance (Category B, OK).
  • Packaging:
    • Combination packaging.
    • Leakproof inner packaging for liquids with sufficient sorbent for all liquids in outer packaging.
    • For sharps: inner packaging must be puncture resistant and securely closed.
    • All placed in outer packaging that is strong, tight, securely closed, and secured within vehicle.
  • Quantity limits:
    • For regulated medical waste:
      • One or more inner packagings of no more than 4 kg (8.8 lb) or 4 L (1 gal).
      • Outer packaging of no more than 16 kg (35.2 lb) or 16 L (4.2 gal).
    • All other:
      • One or more inner packagings of no more than 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) or 0.5 L (17 oz).
      • Outer packaging of no more than 4 kg (8.8 lb) or 4 L (1 gal).

Or…

      • One inner packaging of no more than 16 kg (35.2 lb) or 16 L (4.2 gal).

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Conclusion:

The Materials of Trade exception – like other exceptions in the Hazardous Materials Regulations – allows for the transport of HazMat subject to a reduced regulatory burden. Make certain you are aware of the exception available for the transportation of your HazMat.

Materials of Trade Exception

FAQ: Can we transport this HazMat?

Can the following hazardous materials (HazMat) be transported by company employees in a company vehicle on a public road (for business purposes, natch)?

  • 3 x 5 gallon containers of Acetone

  • 1 x 5 gallon container of Methanol

Answer:  yes, those HazMat and a lot more by using the Materials of Trade Exception.

Contact me with any questions you may have about the transportation of hazardous materials by air, highway, vessel, or rail

International and Domestic

Daniels Training Services, Inc.

815.821.1550

Info@DanielsTraining.com

https://danielstraining.com/

Small amount of HazMat in vehicle

Q&A: How may I transport small amounts of HazMat by a public roadway?

A question from a recent customer (02.06.17):

Hello,
Daniel we have an location a mile down the road that needs some raw material and are hazmat. Need to see if you can give some direction on the rules of small quantities 1gal and less shipping via company transfer.

Small amount of HazMat in vehicleMy reply with prepared information:

I have written articles on this subject that explain it in more detail.  Please see below.

Liquid lead acid battery

Q&A: Transporting Lead Acid Batteries for Reclamation as a Material of Trade

A former coworker contacted me with a question on January 29, 2016:

I have a quick question for you Dan.  If a facility has 5 – 6 consumer (car type) lead-acid batteries that they want to take to a salvage yard for recycling, is there a DOT exemption or something that keeps them from being classified as a hazardous substance.  I think they need to transport with shipping papers and be properly labeled.  Let me know if you have any experience with this.Liquid lead acid battery

Thanks,

I had time to fire off a reply that day:

Please note below:

  • When discarded by recycling a liquid lead acid battery will be a hazardous waste per USEPA regulations.
  • Liquid lead acid batteries sent for reclamation are excluded from regulation as a hazardous waste per 40 CFR 266.80.
  • A liquid lead acid battery is a hazardous material per USDOT regulations.
  • A liquid lead acid battery that is not a hazardous waste may be transported by a non-transportation business under the Materials of Trade exception at 49 CFR 173.6.
  • The following is required under the Materials of Trade exception:
    • Secure batteries in vehicle.
    • Label batteries.
    • Likely batteries contain a Reportable Quantity (RQ) for lead, so this must be marked on the side.
    • Inform driver of Materials of Trade exception and some basic worker safety.
    • No more than 66 lbs/battery & no more than 440 lbs of HazMat in the vehicle.
FYI:  Even though this situation does not require HazMat Employee training, the fact that they receive hazardous materials makes them subject to the training requirements.  They may also need RCRA training.

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Note from Daniels Training Services:

My reply does not take into account the exception from regulation available to shippers of batteries found at 49 CFR 173.159(e).
Questions like this come into me all the time.  Sometimes they can be answered simply.  Sometimes more time and research is required.  Either way, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about the transportation of hazardous materials or the generation and management of hazardous waste.

Daniels Training Services

815.821.1550

Info@DanielsTraining.com

https://danielstraining.com/

49 CFR 173.6 – The Materials of Trade Exception

[slideshare id=26655147&doc=thematerialsoftradeexception-green-130928181541-phpapp01]

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