Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air
UN Number
The four digit number assigned by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to identify a substance or a particular group of substances.
Unit Load Device
Any type of freight container, aircraft pallet with a net, or aircraft pallet with a net over an igloo.
Technical Instructions
ICAO publishes Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO document 9284), and all operators are to take all reasonable measures to ensure that dangerous goods are packed as specified in the Technical Instructions. Articles that would normally be classified as dangerous goods in the Technical Instructions may be carried on board an aeroplane excluded from the provisions provided that they are:
•required to be aboard for operating reasons.
•carried as catering or cabin service supplies.
•for use in flight as veterinary aid or as a humane killer for an animal.
•carried for use in flight as medical aid for a patient, providing that:
•gas cylinders have been purpose manufactured.
•drugs etc. are under the control of trained person(s).
•equipment with wet cell batteries are kept upright.
•such items are stowed properly for take-off/landing.
•are carried by passengers or crew members.
Items carried as replacements for those detailed above, shall be carried in accordance with the Technical Instructions. An operator shall ensure that articles and substances or other goods declared as dangerous goods that are specifically identified by name or generally described in the Technical Instructions as being forbidden for transport under any circumstances are not carried on any aeroplane.
Labelling and Packaging
Operators are responsible for ensuring that all dangerous goods are carried and packed and labelled in accordance with the Technical Instructions. The shipper is responsible for checking that dangerous goods offered for transport are not forbidden items and are properly classified, packed marked and labelled and accompanied by the properly executed dangerous goods transport documentation (Annex 18-Technical Instructions). Operators are required to produce and follow a checklist (the Acceptance Checklist) for the acceptance procedure for dangerous goods.
Loading Restrictions
Only dangerous goods specified in the Technical Instructions are to be carried in passenger cabins or on the flight deck. Where carried in the cargo compartments, goods are to be loaded, segregated, stowed and secured as specified in the Technical Instructions. Where goods are marked ‘Cargo Aircraft Only’, operators are to ensure that such goods are loaded in accordance with the Technical Instructions in dedicated cargo aeroplanes. If radioactive material is carried, the radiation exposure of transport and storage personnel must be so controlled that none of them are likely to receive a radiation dose in excess of that permitted for members of the public.
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Provision of Information
When dangerous goods are carried on an aeroplane, the operator is to provide the commander with the required written information as specified in the Technical Instructions. The OM (Part A section 9) is to include information to enable the flight crew to carry out its responsibilities for the carriage of dangerous goods and also the actions to be taken in the event of an emergency. Passengers are to be informed of the types of dangerous goods that must not be carried on an aeroplane. As a minimum, the information should consist of warning notices or placards prominently displayed where tickets are sold, passengers checked in, boarding areas and luggage check in areas. A warning note may be printed on the ticket or ticket jacket. Any such warning issued to passengers may include reference to dangerous goods that may be carried. For persons offering goods for carriage, information is to be made available and prominently displayed containing warnings about dangerous goods.
Emergencies
If an in-flight emergency occurs, the pilot in command should inform ATC for the information of the airport authorities, of any dangerous goods on board. The operator is required to inform the State in which the accident/incident has occurred that the aircraft was carrying dangerous goods.
Training
Dangerous goods training programmes are to be established and updated in accordance with the requirement of the Technical Instructions.
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Accident and Incident Reporting
An operator must report dangerous goods incidents and accidents to the Authority and the appropriate Authority in the State where the accident or incident occurred. The first report should be despatched within 72 hours of the event unless exceptional circumstances prevent this and include the details that are known at that time. If necessary, a subsequent report must be made as soon as possible. Reports are also to be submitted if undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods are discovered in cargo or passengers’ baggage.
Acceptance of Dangerous Goods
(a) An operator shall not accept dangerous goods unless:
1.the package, overpack or freight container has been inspected in accordance with the acceptance procedures in the Technical Instructions;
2.except when otherwise specified in the Technical Instructions, they are accompanied by two copies of a dangerous goods transport document.
3.the English language is used for:
(i)package marking and labelling; and
(ii)the dangerous goods transport document,
in addition to any other language requirements.
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(b) An operator shall use an acceptance checklist which shall allow for all relevant details to be checked and shall be in such form as will allow for the recording of the results of the acceptance check by manual, mechanical or computerized means.
Inspection for Damage, Leakage or Contamination
(a) An operator shall ensure that:
1.Packages, overpacks and freight containers are inspected for evidence of leakage or damage immediately prior to loading on an aeroplane or into a unit load device, as specified in the Technical Instructions;
2.A unit load device is not loaded on an aeroplane unless it has been inspected as required by the Technical Instructions and found free from any evidence of leakage from, or damage to, the dangerous goods contained therein;
3.Leaking or damaged packages, overpacks or freight containers are not loaded on an aeroplane;
4.Any package of dangerous goods found on an aeroplane and which appears to be damaged or leaking is removed or arrangements made for its removal by an appropriate Authority or organization. In this case the remainder of the consignment shall be inspected to ensure it is in a proper condition for transport and that no damage or contamination has occurred to the aeroplane or its load; and
5.Packages, overpacks and freight containers are inspected for signs of damage or leakage upon unloading from an aeroplane or from a unit load device and, if there is evidence of damage or leakage, the area where the dangerous goods were stowed is inspected for damage or contamination.
Labelling
The following labels are used to identify Dangerous Goods. The numbers refer to the Hazard Classes.
Explosive
Symbol (exploding bomb): Black
Background: Orange
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** Place for division and compatibility group |
*1* |
Note: Packages bearing this label marked Division 1.1 or 1.2 are not |
normally permitted for transport by air. |
Gas Flammable
Symbol (flame): |
Black or white |
Background: |
Red |
2
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GasToxic
Symbol (skull and crossbones): |
Black |
Background: |
White |
2
Gas Non-flammable
Symbol (gas cylinder): |
White |
Background: |
Green |
2
Liquid Flammable
Symbol (flame): |
Black or white |
Background: |
Red |
3
Solid Flammable
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Symbol (flame): |
Black |
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Background: |
White with seven vertical red |
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stripes |
4 
Spontaneous Combustion
Symbol (flame): |
Black |
Background: |
Upper half white, lower half red |
4 |
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Oxidizer
Symbol (flame over circle): |
Black |
Background: |
Yellow |
Figure ‘5.1’ in bottom corner |
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5.1 |
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Organic Peroxide
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Symbol (flame): |
Black or white |
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Background: |
Upper half red, lower half |
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yellow |
5.2 |
5.2 |
Figure ‘5.2’ in bottom corner |
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Danger IfWet
Symbol (flame): |
Black or white |
Background: |
Blue |
4
Toxic
Symbol (skull and crossbones): |
Black |
Background: |
White |
6 
Infectious
The bottom part of the label should bear the inscription “INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCE - in case of damage or leakage immediately notify public health authority”
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Symbol (three crescents superimposed on a circle) and |
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6 |
inscription: |
Black |
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Background: |
White |
Figure ‘6’ in bottom corner
CONTENTS.......................
ACTIVITY........................
TRANSPORT INDEX
7 
Radioactive
Radioactive material, Class 7, Category II — Yellow
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Symbol (trefoil) |
Black |
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Background: |
Top half yellow with white border, |
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bottom half white |
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Text (mandatory), black in bottom half of label: “Radioactive”; “Contents.....”; “Activity.....”; in a black outlined box — “Transport Index”.
Two (2) red vertical stripes must follow the word “Radioactive”.
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Magnetized Material
Colour: |
Blue on white |
Dimensions: |
110 mm × 90 mm |
Cargo Aircraft Only
Colour: |
Black on orange |
Dimensions: |
120 mm × 110 mm |
Corrosive
Symbol (liquids spilling from two glass vessels and attacking a hand and
a metal): |
Black |
Background: |
Upper half white, lower half black with white border |
Package Orientation
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Colour: |
Red or black on a contrasting background |
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Dimensions: |
74 mm × 105 mm |
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Lithium Battery Handling Label
Colour: |
Black on a contrasting |
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background |
Dimensions: |
120 mm × 110 mm |
* Place for “Lithium ion battery” and/or “Lithium metal battery”
Keep Away from Heat
Colour: |
Red or black on a white background |
Dimensions: |
74 mm × 105 mm |
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