SESSION TOPIC: DANGEROUS GOODS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the session you will be able to:

1. Understand on how to handle dangerous goods in the airline industry properly

2. Identify different classes of dangerous goods and their labels

KEY TERMS:
Dangerous goods Handling labels
Nine classes Hazardous items

Introduction
Some items may endanger the safety of an aircraft or persons on board it. The air
transportation of these dangerous materials can either be forbidden or restricted. IATA leads
industry efforts to ensure the safe handling of dangerous goods in air shipping. We provide a great
variety of technical knowledge, products, services and training solutions, tailored to satisfy
industry needs.
The definition of standards for documentation, handling and training, as well as their
promotion and use, contributed to achieving a very high degree of safety in the transportation of
dangerous goods by air.

Dangerous Goods Classes and Labels

Generally speaking, dangerous items are usually moved by surface transport rather than by
air. However, regulations are in place to allow safe air transport if required, which enables
dangerous goods to be carried on commercial airlines, private charters and cargo flights.
In order to carry dangerous goods safely, certain principles must be adopted that prevent
the aircraft and its occupants from being put at risk.
Dangerous items can be carried safely when appropriate measures have been taken and
they are deemed safe.
No matter how cargo is being transported, it must comply with The United Nations (UN)
nine hazard classes for dangerous goods.
Class 1 dangerous goods are explosive substances and articles. There are 6
sub-divisions:

Division 1.1: Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.2: Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion
hazard
Division 1.3: Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or
a minor projection hazard or both
Division 1.4: Substances and articles which present no significant hazard; only a small hazard in
the event of ignition or initiation during transport with any effects largely confined
to the package
Division 1.5: Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard

Class 1 Dangerous Goods Examples & Labels

Commonly transported Class 1 Dangerous Goods include ammunitions, fireworks, air bag
inflactors and fuse, etc.

Class 1 Dangerous Goods Label

The picture below shows the hazard symbols (label) for Class 1 dangerous goods.
Class 2 dangerous goods are gases. It covers compressed gases, liquefied gases, dissolved
gases, refrigerated liquefied gases, mixtures of gases and aerosol dispensers/articles containing gas.
There are 3 sub-divisions:

Division 2.1: Flammable gases

Division 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
Division 2.3: Toxic gases

Class 2 Dangerous Goods Examples & Labels

Commonly transported class 2 dangerous goods include oxygen, natural gas, carbon dioxide,
lighters, and aerosols.

Class 2 Dangerous Goods Label

The picture below shows hazard symbols for Class 2 dangerous goods.

Class 3 dangerous goods are flammable liquids with flash points no more than 60 celcius
degrees. It covers liquid substances, molten solid substances with a flash point above 60 celcius
degrees and liquid desensitized explosives.

Class 3 Dangerous Goods Examples

Commonly transported class 3 dangerous goods include acetone, adhesives, paints, gasoline,
perfume, ethanol, methanol and some pesticides with flammable solvents.
Class 3 Dangerous Goods Label
The picture below shows hazard symbols for Class 3 dangerous goods.

Class 4 dangerous goods include flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneous

combustion and substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases. There are three
sub-divisions:

Division 4.1: Flammable solids

Division 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Division 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

Class 4 Dangerous Goods Examples

Commonly transported class 4 dangerous goods include sulphur, matches, activated carbon,
alkali metals and some metal powders.

Class 4 Dangerous Goods Label

The picture below shows hazard symbols for Class 4 dangerous goods.
Class 5 dangerous goods are oxidizing substances and organic peroxides. There are 2 sub-
divisions:
Division 5.1: Oxidizing substances
Division 5.2: Organic peroxides

Class 5 Dangerous Goods Examples

Commonly transported class 5 dangerous goods include hydrogen peroxide, potassium
permanganate, sodium nitrite, ammonium nitrate fertilizers and oxygen generators.

Class 5 Dangerous Goods Label

The picture below shows hazard symbols for Class 5 dangerous goods.

Class 6 dangerous goods are toxic substances and infectious substances. There are 2 sub-
divisions:

Division 6.1: Toxic substances

Division 6.2: Infectious substances

Usually chemicals which are classified as acute toxicity category 1, 2 and 3 under GHS belong to
class 6.1 dangerous goods.

GHS classification criteria for acute toxicity

Correlations between TDG and GHS

Class 6 Dangerous Goods Examples

Commonly transported class 6 dangerous goods include cyanides, lead compounds, phenol,
cresols, some pesticides, biological samples and clinical wastes.

Class 6 Dangerous Goods Label

The picture below shows hazard symbols for Class 6 dangerous goods.
Class 7 dangerous goods are radioactive materials. There is no sub-division. However, there
are different labels for radioactive materials which depend on the content and activity of such
materials.

Class 7 Dangerous Goods Examples

Commonly transported class 7 dangerous goods include enriched uranium, radioactive ores,
isotopes and some medical equipments or parts.

Class 7 Dangerous Goods Label

The picture below shows hazard symbols for Class 7 dangerous goods.
Class 8 dangerous goods are corrosive substances. There is no sub-division. Corrosive
substances may cause severe damage when in contact with living tissue such as skin or damage
or destroy surrounding materials in case of leakage.

Chemicals which are classified as skin corrosive category 1 under GHS usually belong to class 8
dangerous goods.

GHS classification criteria for skin corrosion/irritation

Correlations between TDG and GHS

Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods are substances and articles which during
transport present a danger or hazard not covered by other 8 classes. This class encompasses, but is
not limited to, environmentally hazardous substances, substances that are transported at elevated
temperatures, miscellaneous articles and substances, genetically modified organisms and micro-
organisms and (depending on the method of transport) magnetized materials and aviation regulated
substances.

Class 9 Dangerous Goods Examples

Commonly transported class 9 dangerous goods include marine pollutants such as zinc oxide,
lithium ion batteries, genetically modified organisms, air bag modules and motor engines.

Class 9 Dangerous Goods Label

The picture below shows hazard symbols for Class 9 dangerous goods.
 It shall be noted that additional environmentally hazardous substance mark (dead fish) shall
be put on outer package for class 9 dangerous goods assigned with UN 3077 and UN 3082.
Acceptable Dangerous Goods without Declaration

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the ICAO's
dangerous goods regulations, there are a few exception items that, while classified as dangerous
goods, are allowed to be shipped and/or carried on board an aircraft without the need to inform the
respective airlines in advance. The ground service agent must be aware of the regulations
governing the connecting and/or final destination of the passengers because security rules differ
from country to country, Items that are not bounded by the dangerous goods regulations but often
bounded by security regulations include the following:

• Alcoholic beverages with each bottle not exceeding five liters. Generally, it is
acceptable to check in bottles of alcohol. Customs regulations at the final destination are
applicable with regard to the amount of alcohol allowed.

• Medicines and toiletries such as hair gel, spray, perfume, and medical alcohol are
allowed as checked or carry-on baggage. The total amount allowed for carry-on is
restricted to one liter with no single container exceeding 100 milliliters. The passenger
is allowed to check in up to two liters of these with each container not exceeding 500
milliliters.

• A maximum of one catalytic hair curler per passenger is allowed as checked or carry-on
baggage. The safety cover of the device must be securely fitted over the heating element
and it must not be used on board.

• Safety matches or lighters for personal use; these may be carried on board.

•A small carbon dioxide gas cylinder worn by a passenger solely for medical purposes.

• A surgically implanted cardiac pacemaker worn by passenger for medical purposes.

• A small medical or clinical thermometer is allowed as checked or carry-on baggage.

The item must be packed in a protective case.

Acceptable Dangerous Goods that require Declaration

Some dangerous goods items are acceptable on board with the approval from the airline.
Hence, passengers are required to notify the airline staff of their intention to travel with such
items in advance.

• Battery-operated wheelchairs with non-spillable batteries. The battery may be shipped

with the wheelchair if the battery is disconnected and securely attached to the wheelchair.
The item will be allowed as checked baggage only.

• Securely packed ammunition cartridges for sporting purposes in quantities not

exceeding five kilograms are allowed strictly as checked baggage only.
 •Perishables packed in dry ice are allowed in both checked and carry-on baggage
provided the combined weight does not exceed two kilograms per passenger.

There are also some dangerous goods that passengers are permitted to travel with when
they notify the airline staff. However, the pilot in command must be notified of the storage location
of these items:

• Battery-operated wheelchairs with spillable batteries. The battery must be disconnected

and securely attached to the wheelchair. The wheelchair must be kept in an upright
position at all times. Some airlines require the battery to be separated from the
wheelchair. In such instances, the batteries are placed in a specially designed battery box
and shipped separately from the wheelchair.

• Mercurial barometer. This is only allowed as a carry-on by a representative of a

government weather bureau or similar official. The barometer or thermometer must be
securely packed in a sealed inner liner or in a bag made of strong leak proof, puncture-
resistant material impervious to mercury, which will prevent the leakage of mercury from
the package irrespective of its position.

Handling Labels
According to IATA regulations, passengers may be required to affix handling labels in
addition to attaching hazard class labels. These labels help the respective staff to carry out any
special handling required for these dangerous packages.

Cargo aircraft only

This warning label identifies a shipment that can only be transported by a cargo aircraft.
Packages with this label are forbidden for transportation on a passenger aircraft.

Magnetized material
This label indicates that the contents within the package include magnetized material that
can affect the performance of aircraft instruments and compasses.

Cryogenic liquid
This label identifies low-temperature liquefied gases. Severe cold "burns" or frostbite
may be inflicted if one comes into physical contact with such liquids.

Keep away from heat

This label warns to keep the dangerous goods package away from heat sources.
Caution
This label is an indication of shipments containing lithium metal or lithium ion-type
batteries that are otherwise not regulated.

Direction
This label shows the direction that dangerous goods must be positioned during transport.
Risk is involved when the dangerous goods are not positioned according to the direction indicated
on handling label. The direction label must be placed on multiple sides of the package so it can be
clearly seen by handlers.

Radioactive material excepted package

This label indicates that the package contains radioactive material that is acceptable to be
on board the aircraft.

Dangerous Goods Handling

When a GSA encounters an article or a package with a dangerous goods label, the agent
must examine the contents within the package. If the contents of the package are not dangerous,
the GSA should request that the passenger remove the dangerous goods label before the package
is accepted by the agent.
If the label correctly indicates the nature of the contents, the agent must ensure that the
dangerous goods acceptance regulations are met before accepting the package.
When passengers check in camping equipment, the airline ground agent must determine if
the equipment contains any flammable liquids or gases such as kerosene or butane gas. If a
flammable liquid or gas is found, the agent must request for the passenger to remove it immediately.
When a passenger checks in diving equipment, the agent must ensure that the air cylinder
is empty. Only empty cylinders are allowed as checked-in items.
Household cleansers are often corrosive and can produce toxic gases. Photographic
equipment frequently contains hazardous chemicals. Therefore, airline ground agents are required
to inspect and determine the acceptance level of these items before permitting passengers to check
in the items or carry them on board.

In-text Activity
Aviation- Dangerous Goods
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhTouLASve8

Dangerous Goods Classes and Classification

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX4zWiRmDoM

IATA Lithium Battery Shipping Guidelines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkeSqS-eFk
Summary

A thorough understanding of the dangerous goods regulations is essential for GSAS to

perform their duties. It is the responsibility of a GSA to determine whether the passengers' baggage
contain any dangerous goods and whether they are acceptable for check-in. To recognize
dangerous goods, ICAO has established regulations for dangerous goods acceptance and ground
agents are required to recognize each label type so as to identify the dangerous goods. In addition
to the dangerous goods class labels, there are also handling labels to inform personnel on how to
handle the packages.
Dangerous goods are hazardous materials that may cause harm to the crew, the passengers,
and the aircraft. Therefore, these must be handled in a critical and cautious manner. The GSA
needs to verify the items with the passengers and check with the responsible department if there is
any uncertainty before accepting the baggage.
 REFERENCES

ChemSafety (2020). Dangerous Goods Classes and Symbols. Retrieved from:

https://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/TDG/Dangerous_Goods_Classification_Symbol
s.html

IATA (2020). Dangerous goods. Retrieved from: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/dgr/

Law, C. et Doerfelin M. (2014). Introduction to Airline Ground Service