ph-iata-dangerous-goods-air cheat sheet

The IATA DGR is built on ICAO Annex 18 and the ICAO Technical Instructions; IATA adds stricter or more detailed provisions, and compliance with the DGR satisfies the Annex 18 obligation for air transport.

The DGR applies to all carriage of dangerous goods by air, including cargo, mail, passenger and crew baggage, and operator materials - not only to shipments declared by shippers.

Dangerous goods are forbidden by air unless permitted by the DGR; where the DGR does not expressly permit carriage, the article is forbidden (the 'permissive principle').

Operator responsibilities include acceptance, loading, segregation, provision of information to passengers and crew, incident reporting, and ensuring staff are trained - a shipper's declaration does not transfer these duties.

States and operators may file variations; where a variation is more restrictive than the DGR, the more restrictive requirement governs the operation concerned.

The DGR is issued annually (effective 1 January), with addenda; always verify the edition in force for the flight date rather than the date of shipment preparation.

Hidden dangerous goods (e.g. lithium batteries in equipment, aerosols, dry ice, magnetized material, machinery with fuel) must be identified by shippers and by operators' acceptance staff.

Dangerous goods in excepted quantities and limited quantities remain dangerous goods - they are relieved of certain requirements, not of the DGR's applicability.

Forbidden goods cannot be carried under any circumstances; restricted goods may be carried only when the stated conditions (approval, State exemption, operator authorization) are met.

Operator variations are published in DGR Section 2.8 (and the operator's own documentation); the shipper must check every operator in the routing, since a variation applies to that operator's sector.

A variation that forbids carriage on one sector breaks the routing; the shipment must be re-routed or reclassified, not merely re-declared.

State and operator variations may differ from the UN Model Regulations and from the ICAO Technical Instructions; the most restrictive applicable requirement prevails.

Approvals and exemptions must be obtained before consignment and the document (or its reference) must accompany the shipment; an approval number alone is not a substitute for the required document.

Dangerous goods are normally forbidden in passenger and crew checked and carry-on baggage except for the specific allowances (e.g. toiletries, medicinal articles, portable electronic devices, spare lithium batteries within limits).

Dangerous goods in air mail are severely limited; postal operators must apply the DGR and the relevant postal rules, and many classes are prohibited entirely.

Nine classes: 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable liquids, 4 flammable solids/spontaneously combustible/water-reactive, 5 oxidizers/organic peroxides, 6 toxic/infectious, 7 radioactive, 8 corrosives, 9 miscellaneous.

Class 1 is divided into divisions 1.1–1.6 and compatibility groups (A–S, plus N); the division reflects the hazard and the group the permitted stowage combination.

Packing group (I, II, III) applies only to classes 3, 4, 5.1, 6.1, 8 and some class 9 entries; it reflects degree of danger, not quantity.

A substance with more than one hazard is assigned a primary hazard and, where required, subsidiary hazards; the primary hazard governs packing, marking and documentation, while subsidiary hazards affect labelling and segregation.

Class 7 assignment depends on activity concentration or activity limits and transport index; it is not a packing-group system.

Class 6.2 (infectious substances) distinguishes Category A (UN 2814, UN 2900) from Category B (UN 3373); the category determines packing instruction and documentation.

Self-reactive substances and organic peroxides are classified by SADT/control temperature and may require temperature control; the control and emergency temperatures must be shown on the declaration.

Lithium cells and batteries are class 9 (UN 3480/3481/3090/3091) and are classified by state of charge, watt-hour rating and whether packed with or contained in equipment.

The Dangerous Goods List (DGR 4.2) columns include UN/ID number, proper shipping name, class/division, subsidiary hazard, packing group, labels, special provisions, packing instructions (passenger and cargo aircraft) and quantity limits.

The proper shipping name must be the name shown in the List, in the correct order and form; a trade name alone is not acceptable.

Special provisions (column 7) modify or add requirements - e.g. authorizing a different packing instruction, requiring State approval, or exempting small quantities; each cited provision must be applied.

The List gives separate passenger-aircraft and cargo-aircraft packing instructions and maximum net quantities per package; the lower passenger limits are the default unless the operator confirms cargo-aircraft carriage.

If a substance is not listed, it may still be assigned to a generic or n.o.s. entry with the correct technical name, or be forbidden if no entry fits.

UN numbers are four digits; ID numbers (e.g. ID8000) are used for certain consumer commodities and are not UN numbers.

The quantity limits in the List are net quantities of dangerous goods per package, and multiple packages in one consignment must each comply.

Packing instructions are cited in the List and specify permitted packaging types, inner/outer packaging combinations, and maximum net quantity per package.

UN packaging codes show type, material and performance: e.g. 4G = fibreboard box, 1A2 = steel drum with removable head, 3H1 = plastic jerrican non-removable head.

The X/Y/Z marking on UN packagings corresponds to packing groups I/II/III respectively; a packaging marked Z cannot be used for Packing Group I or II goods.

Packagings must be closed, secured and in the condition for which they were tested; inner packagings must be cushioned and arranged to prevent breakage and leakage in flight.

Combination packagings must be packed so that leakage of inner packagings cannot escape; absorbent material and liners are required where the instruction specifies.

Pressure-relief and venting requirements apply to certain packagings and to cryogenic liquids (e.g. dry ice shipments must allow CO2 venting).

Overpack and salvage packagings have their own marking and documentation rules; a salvage packaging is used for damaged, defective or leaking packages.

Empty uncleaned packagings retain the hazards of their former contents and must be marked and documented accordingly.

The UN number and proper shipping name must be marked on each package, preceded by 'UN'; the shipper's and consignee's names and addresses are also required.

Hazard labels correspond to the primary and subsidiary hazards; they must be applied on the same surface, not obscured, and be durable for the journey.

Orientation labels (two arrows) are required on combination packagings containing liquids, and on single packagings where the instruction requires.

Cargo aircraft only label is required where the shipment is permitted only on cargo aircraft; the package must then be loaded accordingly.

Environmentally hazardous substance mark, lithium battery mark, and excepted/limited quantity marks have specific size and content requirements.

Overpack marking must reproduce the marks and labels of the packages inside, plus the word 'OVERPACK' and the required size.

Labels must not be confused with markings; the label text is limited to the hazard class and the relevant wording, and old or unrelated labels must be removed or covered.

Markings and labels must be legible and in the language required by the State of origin, with English normally used for international consignments.

The Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods must be completed in English (or the required language) and signed by the shipper; it certifies compliance with the DGR.

Required fields include shipper and consignee, air waybill number, page numbers, airport of departure and destination, transport details, and the itemized dangerous goods description.

The itemized entry order is: UN number, proper shipping name, class/division, subsidiary hazard, packing group, quantity and type of packing, packing instruction, and authorization where applicable.

The declaration must state 'Cargo Aircraft Only' where applicable, and the 24-hour emergency phone number must be provided where the State or operator requires it.

The declaration is normally in duplicate (one for the operator, one to accompany the shipment); additional copies may be required by the operator or State.

Any amendment must be made by the shipper and the declaration re-signed; the operator must not alter the dangerous goods description.

The Air Waybill must indicate the presence of dangerous goods, and the handling information must be consistent with the declaration.

A declaration with an incorrect proper shipping name, packing group or packing instruction is a ground for rejection at acceptance, even if the package itself is compliant.

Packages must be loaded so that they are accessible for inspection and, where required, can be removed in flight; they must be secured against movement.

Segregation rules keep incompatible goods apart - e.g. class 1 explosives are segregated by compatibility group, and oxidizers are kept from flammable materials.

Packages bearing the Cargo Aircraft Only label must be loaded only on cargo aircraft and never on passenger aircraft.

Dangerous goods must not be loaded in a compartment occupied by passengers or crew, and must be separated from crew rest areas and from the flight deck as required.

Radioactive material (class 7) has specific stowage requirements, including separation distances from crew and passengers based on the transport index.

Loading must consider heat sources, and packages requiring temperature control must be stowed accordingly; dry ice shipments need ventilation.

The loading supervisor must check labels, markings, and the load sheet, and must record the loading position of dangerous goods.

Any package found damaged, leaking or improperly marked during loading must be removed and reported; it must not be loaded.

The Emergency Response Guidance for Aircraft Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods (DGR Section 7 / ICAO Doc 9481) gives drills and a table of emergency response drill codes by UN number.

Drill codes (e.g. 1L, 3L, 4L) indicate the response for spill/fire and are referenced on the notification to the captain.

The NOTOC (notification to the captain) lists dangerous goods on board with their loading position, and must be given to the pilot-in-command before departure.

Operators must report dangerous goods incidents and accidents to the State of occurrence and to the State of the operator, and to IATA where applicable, using the prescribed forms.

Incidents include leaks, spills, damaged packages, undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods, and any event involving dangerous goods that could endanger the aircraft.

Crew response priorities are to identify the substance, use the appropriate extinguishing agent, protect occupants, and land as soon as practicable.

Training must cover general awareness, function-specific training, and safety training, and must be documented and recurrent.

Records of incidents, training and acceptance must be retained for the period required by the State and the operator's procedures.

The acceptance check verifies the Shipper's Declaration against the package: proper shipping name, UN number, class, packing group, quantity, packing instruction, labels and markings must all match.

The acceptance check also verifies the packaging is authorized, is in good condition, and that quantity limits for the aircraft type are not exceeded.

A shipment must be rejected if the declaration is incomplete, the package is damaged or leaking, or the goods are forbidden or not permitted on the intended aircraft.

Acceptance staff must be trained and their competency assessed before they perform acceptance; training records must be kept and refresher training is required.

Competency-based assessment evaluates the ability to apply the DGR to realistic scenarios, not just attendance; it must be documented.

Training categories: general awareness/familiarization, function-specific, safety, and for some roles, security awareness.

Recurrent training is required (typically within 24 months) and records must be available for inspection by the operator and the State.

The operator is responsible for ensuring that all staff involved in the carriage of dangerous goods are trained and competent, including ground handling agents.

The DGR is not a substitute for national law; States may impose additional requirements, and the operator must comply with the State of origin, transit and destination.

The 'shipper's responsibility' is to classify, pack, mark, label and document correctly; the operator's responsibility is to accept, load and carry safely.

Dangerous goods carried by passengers and crew are covered by the DGR's provisions on baggage, not by the cargo rules.

The DGR includes provisions for dangerous goods in excepted quantities (EQ) and limited quantities (LQ), each with its own packing, marking and documentation reliefs.

A State variation applies to operations within that State's territory; an operator variation applies to that operator's flights regardless of territory.

Where a variation requires prior approval, the approval must be obtained from the State of origin and, where required, the State of the operator.

Variations are listed by operator code and are updated; the shipper must check the current edition for each carrier in the routing.

Some variations prohibit carriage of certain UN numbers entirely on that operator's aircraft, even where the DGR permits them.

Flash point and boiling point determine the packing group for class 3 flammable liquids; the lower the flash point, the more severe the packing group.

Class 2 divides into 2.1 flammable, 2.2 non-flammable non-toxic, 2.3 toxic; aerosols have their own classification rules.

Class 8 corrosives are assigned packing groups based on the degree of damage to skin and to metal.

Class 9 includes environmentally hazardous substances, lithium batteries, and miscellaneous dangerous goods not covered by other classes.

The List is arranged by UN number and by proper shipping name; the same substance may appear under more than one entry depending on its form or packing.

Special provisions are numbered and must be read in full; a provision may permit an alternative packing instruction or require additional marking.

The List's quantity limits are per package, and the operator must also check aircraft-type limits and any State limits.

Where a substance is forbidden on passenger aircraft, the List shows 'Forbidden' in the passenger column; it may still be permitted on cargo aircraft.

Packing instruction numbers indicate the level of packing: e.g. 3-digit numbers for passenger aircraft and 4-digit numbers (starting with 4) for cargo aircraft.

The packing instruction specifies the maximum net quantity per inner and outer packaging and the permitted packaging types.

UN packagings must be marked with the UN symbol, the packaging code, the performance level, the year of manufacture, and the country of authorization.

Packagings must be tested for drop, stack, and where relevant, internal pressure; the test report supports the marking.

The proper shipping name on the package must match the declaration exactly, including any technical name in parentheses.

Labels must be at least 100 mm × 100 mm unless the package is too small, in which case a reduced size may be used where the DGR permits.

The lithium battery mark must show the UN number and a telephone number for information, and is required for certain lithium battery shipments.

The environmentally hazardous substance mark is required where the substance is environmentally hazardous and the package exceeds the applicable quantity.

The declaration must be typed or legibly printed; handwritten declarations are permitted only where the operator accepts them.

The 'Additional Handling Information' box carries the emergency contact and any special stowage instructions.

The declaration's certification statement is a legal attestation; a false declaration is a serious offence.

The air waybill must show 'Dangerous Goods' and the number of packages, and must be consistent with the declaration.

Segregation tables in the DGR specify which classes may be loaded together and which must be separated.

Packages must not be loaded where they could be damaged by other cargo, and must be restrained for turbulence and emergency landing loads.

Dangerous goods must be loaded so that the labels are visible for inspection where practicable.

The NOTOC must be updated if the loading position changes, and a copy must be available to the crew.

The emergency response drill code is found in the DGR's table by UN number and is shown on the NOTOC.

For a fire involving dangerous goods, the crew should use the appropriate agent and follow the drill code's guidance.

Undeclared dangerous goods discovered in cargo must be treated as an incident and reported.

Incident reports must be filed even where no injury or damage occurred, where the event meets the reporting criteria.

The acceptance checklist must be completed and signed by trained acceptance staff for each consignment.

The check includes verifying the shipper is trained and that the declaration is signed by an authorized person.

Competency assessment should include practical exercises such as checking a declaration against a package.

Training records must show the date, content, and the trainer's qualifications, and must be retained.