Training Requirements for Shippers

Last Revised: January 24, 2023

  • All shippers of Dangerous Goods must be trained!

A shipper is someone that does any of the following duties:

  • Marking and labeling packages
  • Filling packages
  • Accepting packaging for shipping
  • Supervising shipping activities
  • Preparing shipping documentation
  • Loading truck

Please find detailed information below for training requirements

Instructor led classes have resumed for all first-time shippers or any returning shippers opting for in-person class. 
Online shipping training is still available in Knowledge Link for returning shippers.  
ONLINE: Type the course title Shipping of Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods for Laboratory Staff-EHRS 
online in "Find Learning" on the Knowledge Link page to assign course.   
IN-PERSON: e-mail Marie-Luise to request to be added to on of the classes listed below. 
Use the subject: Shipping of Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods for Laboratory Staff-EHRS.

Questions can be directed to Marie-Luise Faber (mlfaber@ehrs.upenn.edu) or traininghelp@lists.upenn.edu
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Shipping of Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods for Laboratory Staff

Shipping training is for Laboratory Staff and Faculty that ship various biological material (pathogens, recombinant vectors, infected cell, tissue, etc.) and some Excepted Quantity chemicals, with or without dry ice.

  • Instructor-led training for first-time shippers and returning shippers is offered monthly, located in the EHRS office.  Email Marie-Luise Faber to register for one of the classes below with the SUBJECT: Shipping of Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods for Laboratory Staff and indicating which training date you are registering for.
  • On-line training for returning shippers is available in Knowledge Link
  • Instructor led training may be scheduled at your location for large groups (10 or more staff)
  • Shipping training is required every 2 years
  • Contact SHIPPINGDG@LISTS.UPENN.EDU with questions

 

Instructor-led Training Options (email Marie-Luise Faber to register)

  1. January 31st , 9:30-11:30 am, location: EHRS conference room
  2. February 14th, 9:30-11:30 am, location: EHRS conference room
  3. March 8th, 9:30-11:30am, location: EHRS conference room
  4. April 13th, 9:30-11:30am, location: EHRS conference room
  5. May 9th, 9:30-11:30am, location: EHRS conference room
Shipping Chemicals

EHRS does not offer shipping training for shipping quantities of hazardous chemicals.

 

Shipping Radioactive Materials

EHRS does not offer shipping training for shipping for radioactive material.

      - Contact SHIPPINGDG@LISTS.UPENN.EDU BEFORE shipping EVERY radioactive materials shipment.

 

Shipping Collaboration with Outside Entities (non-Penn shippers)

Collaborator Module through eShip@Penn®:

Users collaborating with outside entities may use the Collaborator Module, available thru eShip@Penn. Shipments can be set up by shippers outside of Penn and payed for by users at Penn. Shippers must comply with all ICAO/IATA regulations, including training and package labeling. Review COLLABORATOR INSTRUCTIONS for additional details.

TRAINING: Non-Penn shippers are responsible for finding their own training resources. Non-Penn shippers may find training through their institution's training program or by searching online for "biological shipping training" or "dry ice shipping training". USA based shippers can also look to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for training options.

After training:

Certificates will be issued after completion of the training program. Keep these on file. An enforcement agency may ask to review your training records at any time.

How often must you be trained?

All shippers of biological material or dry ice must be retrained every 2 years or when regulations change in accordance with IATA regulations.

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