Transporting Dangerous Goods: A Guide
Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods, alternatively known as dangerous cargo, restricted articles, or hazardous materials, are items/cargo which can threaten the safety of an aeroplane and the lives of the people aboard it. In an aeroplane, commonly found household items are deemed to be dangerous goods, as the risk they pose in the sky is much higher than on the ground. The rules and regulations outlining the aerial shipments of hazardous materials are proposed and implemented by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO).
Safety Regulations in the Sky
Given how everyday items can pose a threat to the safety and security of an airplane, they are regulated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and then restricted or banned depending on the situation. The IATA is the flag bearer in the industry when it comes to the safe and secure passage of dangerous cargo. They are responsible for the production and implementation of standards when it comes to curation, documentation, handling, and training, which in turn leads to a vastly safer workplace when 6 miles high in the sky with dangerous cargo.
Regulating Hazardous Materials
The IATA collaborates and cooperates with the ICAO and local governing bodies to draw up regulations and guidelines. By doing so, these rules or guidelines governing the transportation of dangerous cargo become more effective and practical. The global standard for the shipping of restricted articles and the only standard airlines recognize is the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) manual.
Training Manual
The 63rd edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations outlines the provisions on competency-based training and assessment (CBTA), as agreed by the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel in DGP/27 (September 2019). There is a two-year transition period and therefore, the training provisions from the 61st edition may continue to be used until 31 December 2022. Appendix I.1.5 as shown in the 61st edition has been adopted in Subsection 1.5 and Subsection 1.5 from the 61st edition has been moved to Attachment A of Appendix H. The guidance material on the development and implementation of competency-based training and assessment can be found in Appendix H. This is the practical guide for the industry to develop their training framework in accordance with the new provisions and will continue to be enhanced by the Dangerous Goods Training Working Group (DGTWG), based on the feedback from training providers and member airlines.
e-DGD Concept
In line with the fast-paced and rapidly evolving digitization of all things around us, the e-DGD is IATA’s take on digitizing their database. Access to data is granted by the owner on a requirement basis, to whoever in the supply chain requires it. This in turn allows a supply chain to function more efficiently; acting as a tightly knit entity across all stakeholders, and ground handling agents, including shippers, forwarders, carriers, and third-party providers.
Benefits
Higher quality data
A higher degree of transparency and traceability
Lower number of mistakes and delays
Faster DG processes
Improved customer experience
International Regulations & Compliance
In order to ship restricted articles, cosigners format a form certifying that the shipment has been labelled, packed, and declared in line with the IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). The sample Shipper’s Declarations Form reflects changes that have been adopted into the 60th edition of the DGR. Forms of the design as shown in the 59th edition may continue to be used until 31 December 2024.
How to Ship Dangerous Goods
Comply with Guidelines
Given how hazardous goods can endanger the safety of those transporting them, it is vital to follow the rules and comply with guidelines to ensure safety. Such guidelines outline the risks, as well as the correct process to be followed with respect to bundling, marking, checking, and documenting. The guidelines vary with the mode of transport, so coordinate with your shipping provider to fulfil the same.
Training
People involved in the transportation of dangerous goods must be well-versed with the shipment, must have undergone the correct training, and must understand & comply with the prevailing regulations. If you are unfamiliar with the aforementioned, an individual or organization can be hired to conduct the shipment on your behalf.
Shipment Curation
Hazardous goods must be distinguished, grouped, pronounced, pressed, stamped, and named with the appropriate documentation in the context of the nations/regions of beginning, travel, and objective. The transporter is responsible for the same.
Shipment Preparation
During the preparation of a shipment, it is crucial to use affirmed bundling with the United Nations detailed markings displayed clearly and prominently. The UN detail markings confirm that a shipment has been specifically tested for the necessary safety requirements. You can check the IATA DGR to see whether your shipment requires these.
Using the Correct Markings
Shipments of dangerous goods require clear markings which relate to the auxiliary peril and risk class of the shipment. Older marks on reused boxes must be destroyed. Supported marks can be found on the IATA’s hazardous materials website.