Guidance on packaging samples

CfI has produced a short film clip to provide guidance for referring laboratories on how to package samples to the required standard.

 

How to package samples video (Windows Media Video, 3.7 MB) (right-click to download video file)

How to package samples video (Quicktime Movie, 3.4 MB) (right-click to download video file)

 

A small but significant proportion of samples received by the Centre for Infections (CfI) are poorly or inappropriately packaged. This often leads to samples leaking or being damaged during transport, therefore posing a serious risk to HPA staff handling them. CfI hopes to eliminate this risk by helping laboratories to understand basic packaging requirements.

The following guidelines are intended to cover the transport of clinical samples from humans, or cultures of micro-organisms isolated from such samples to another laboratory for diagnostic or other clinical testing within the U.K. where the micro-organisms suspected of causing the disease are all either Hazard groups 2, 3 or 4.

The terms Category A and Category B are limited to classifying samples / microbial cultures being transported to another laboratory.

Sample Description	Packaging Requirement
Category A samples are known or suspected to contain a microbial agent with the following definition "an infectious substance which is transported in a form that if exposure to it occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease to humans or animals" (see indicative list) The majority are Hazard Group 3 or 4	Assign to UN2814 (Humans) Packaging Instructions PI620 Supporting documentation as per ADR Transport as category A ADR licensed courier
For practical reasons to allow referral / reference services to continue a limited number of Category A agents have exempted from being transported as Category A. These are Vero-cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC), Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Shigella dysenteriae 1	Assign UN3373 Packaging instruction PI650 Send by courier Royal mail will NOT accept
Category B samples are those that do not meet the definitions of Category A	Assign UN3373 Packaging instruction P1650 Post or courier Royal mail WILL accept

 

These guidelines are not intended as a substitute for reading the advice given by DfT and DoH.

Consult the agencies listed in the external links for further information.

Laboratories that repeatedly send poorly packaged samples may face action from the Health and Safety Executive.

Last reviewed: 20 January 2011