Office of Biological Safety

Environment, Health and Safety Department, 30 East Campus Mall, Madison, WI 53715-1227
Phone: (608) 263-2037, Fax: (608) 265-8700, biosafety@fpm.wisc.edu

Training for Shipping Infectious Substances and Other Biological Materials

Initial Certification or Recertification - We ask that all trainees (new or recertifying) take the online training below.  Download the PDF files (slides and references), take the quiz after reviewing the training materials, and fax the quiz to our office (265-8700).

Download both:
Recert Slides
Recert References

An important initial step for new trainees is to attend the Packing Workshop.

Registration required - email Biosafety at biosafety@fpm.wisc.edu or call 263-2037.

Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities

The UW EH&S Department offers wide training for persons involved in shipping and receiving hazardous materials.  Complex federal regulations must be followed when hazardous materials are transported in commerce. The activities for which certification is required include: preparing shipping papers, loading and unloading trucks, marking and labeling packages, filling packages, and supervising these activities. Seemingly minor technical violations can result in major fines while more serious violations can endanger the public. Recent events have led to greater scrutiny for compliance with these regulations and a commitment by the UW administration to train, test, and certify employees, as required by law.

The Office of Biological Safety (OBS) provides training and certification for shipping infectious substances and other biological materials with an emphasis on laboratories and research groups. Among the topics covered are: regulatory definitions of infectious substances, patient specimens and biological products; use of the Hazardous Materials Table to find the proper shipping name and packaging instructions; requirements for shipping biologicals with dry ice or liquid nitrogen; correctly filling out the shipping documentation; and additional federal permits that may be required. Attendees who complete the quiz will receive a certificate showing compliance with the DOT training requirement.

To register contact Biosafety at 263-2037 or biosafety@fpm.wisc.edu

The Chemical and Environmental Safety (CESP) basic training module focuses on chemical hazards with an emphasis on shipping and receipt of chemicals at loading docks. The employees designated to be hazmat shipping coordinators by their departments are asked to attend this CESP training session.  For more information call Chemical Safety at 265-5518.