IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 9 — Operator responsibilities regarding acceptance, storage, loading, inspection and reporting of dangerous goods.
9.0 General
9.0.1 This section details the responsibilities of operators in connection with the acceptance, handling and loading of dangerous goods. No provision requires an operator to transport a particular article or substance, nor does it prevent an operator from imposing additional requirements.
9.0.2 Ground handling agents may undertake some or all of these functions on behalf of an operator. However, the operator responsibilities under Sections 1 and 9 continue to apply.
9.1 Acceptance
9.1.1 Cargo Acceptance Procedures
- Acceptance personnel must be trained to detect dangerous goods concealed in general cargo (9.1.1.1).
- A confirmation of contents must be obtained from the shipper for any cargo item suspected to contain dangerous goods (9.1.1.2).
- Packages bearing GHS symbols may indicate dangerous goods — however, GHS pictograms do not necessarily correspond directly to transport classifications (9.1.1.2 Note 2).
9.1.2 Acceptance of Dangerous Goods by Operator
- An operator must not accept a package of dangerous goods unless it is accompanied by a "Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods" in duplicate (9.1.2.1).
- The declaration may be submitted in electronic format (9.1.2.1(b)).
- One copy of the declaration must be retained until the shipment reaches its final destination (9.1.2.2).
9.1.3 Acceptance Checklist
- ☐Does the documentation comply with DGR Section 8 (non-radioactive) or Subsection 10.3 (radioactive) requirements? (a)
- ☐Is the quantity of dangerous goods indicated on the Shipper's Declaration within the limits per package/overpack? (b)
- ☐Are the marks on packages, overpacks or freight containers consistent with the Shipper's Declaration? (c)
- ☐Is the letter on the specification marking correct? (d)
- ☐Are the proper shipping name, UN numbers, labels and special handling instructions legible and in good condition? (e)
- ☐Do the labels on packages reflect the correct hazard class and subsidiary hazards? (f)
- ☐Is the outer packaging of combination packaging of the appropriate type? (g)
- ☐Does the package or overpack NOT contain incompatible dangerous goods that require segregation? (h)
- ☐Is the package, overpack, freight container or ULD free from leakage and its integrity uncompromised? (i)
The identity of the person performing the acceptance check must be recorded (9.1.3.2). Certain items are subject to an abbreviated acceptance procedure — see Table 9.1.A.
Table 9.1.A — Summary of Applicable Acceptance Procedures
| UN / Item | Description | Checklist | DG Label | Accept |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN 3164 | Articles, pressurized, hydraulic/pneumatic (PI 208(a)/208(b)) | YES | NO | YES |
| UN 3373 | Biological substance, Category B (PI 650) | YES | NO | YES |
| N/A | Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities (2.6) | NO | NO | NO |
| UN 3245 | Genetically modified micro-organisms (PI 959) | NO | NO | NO |
| UN 2807 | Magnetized material (PI 953) | YES | YES | YES |
| UN 3091 | Lithium metal batteries contained in/packed with equipment — Section II (PI 969/970) | YES | NO | YES |
| UN 3481 | Lithium ion batteries contained in/packed with equipment — Section II (PI 966/967) | YES | NO | YES |
| UN 2909-2911 | Radioactive material, excepted package (PI 10.5.B) | YES | NO | YES |
| UN 1845 | Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) — coolant (PI 954) | YES | YES | YES |
9.2 Storage
- 9.2.1 Division 4.1 self-reactive substances and Division 5.2 organic peroxides must be protected from direct sunlight and all sources of heat, and adequate ventilation must be provided.
- 9.2.2 During storage, markings and labels on packages must not be obscured or covered by any other label or marking.
9.3 Loading
9.3.1 Flight Deck and Passenger Aircraft Restrictions
9.3.1.1 Dangerous goods must not be loaded in cabins occupied by passengers or crew, or on the flight deck.
9.3.2 Incompatible Dangerous Goods (Segregation)
Packages that could react dangerously with each other must not be loaded on the same aircraft in positions that would allow interaction in the event of leakage. Table 9.3.A shows segregation requirements.
| Class / Division | 1 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 3 | 4 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 6 | 7/9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 excl. 1.4S | — | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | * |
| 2.1 | X | — | X | |||||||
| 2.2 (5.1) | X | — | X | |||||||
| 2.3 | X | — | X | |||||||
| 3 | X | — | X | |||||||
| 4.1 / 4.2 / 4.3 | X | — | X | |||||||
| 5.1 | X | — | X | |||||||
| 5.2 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | — | ||
| 6 | X | — | ||||||||
| 7 (9 see 9.3.2.1.3) | * | — |
X = segregation required (must not be in the same package/overpack). — = same class. * = special conditions (see 9.3.2.2). Empty cell = no segregation required.
Special Loading Rules
9.3.5 General Loading and Securing
If a damaged package is identified, the operator must assess the situation before loading onto the aircraft and dispose of it safely if necessary.
9.3.6 Damaged Packages
If package damage or leakage is detected, the operator must remove it from the aircraft and apply safe disposal procedures.
9.3.10 Dry Ice Loading
Packages containing CO₂ dry ice must be loaded in ventilated packaging, taking into account the aircraft type and ventilation conditions.
9.3.13 Loading with Live Animals
Live animals must not be loaded near packages containing dry ice or cryogenic liquids (CO₂ concentration risk).
9.3.14 Wheelchairs / Mobility Devices
Wheelchairs with batteries installed or detached are carried as checked baggage with operator approval (2.3.2.2-2.3.2.4).
9.3.9 Magnetized Material
Magnetized material (UN 2807) must be loaded in a position away from the aircraft compass and navigation systems.
9.4 Inspection
- 9.4.1 Damage or Leakage: Dangerous goods packages must be inspected for evidence of damage or leakage after being unloaded from the aircraft. If damage is found, other packages in the same loading position must also be inspected.
- 9.4.2 Infectious Substances: If contamination from package leakage is suspected: the package must be isolated, adjacent packages inspected, and the relevant health authority notified.
- 9.4.3 Contaminated Cargo: If contaminated cargo/baggage suspected of containing dangerous goods is discovered, the operator must investigate the source and decontaminate before loading.
9.5 Provision of Information
9.5.1 Captain Notification (NOTOC)
9.5.1.1 As early as practicable before departure, the pilot-in-command must receive accurate and comprehensive written information about dangerous goods on board. This information is known as the NOTOC (Notification to Captain).
Required NOTOC information (9.5.1.3.1):
- Date of flight
- Air waybill (AWB) number
- Proper shipping name
- UN/ID number, class/division
- Subsidiary hazard(s), if any
- Non-radioactive: number of packages, net quantity; Radioactive: TI, category
- CAO (Cargo Aircraft Only) label, if applicable
- Loading position (cargo compartment / location)
9.5.1.5 For UN 1845 (dry ice) and UN 3480 (lithium ion batteries), the proper shipping name and total net mass may suffice in the NOTOC instead of the UN number.
9.5.1.3 In-Flight Emergency Information
In the event of an in-flight emergency, the pilot-in-command must inform air traffic control as soon as possible, providing the proper shipping name, class/division, UN number, quantity and location of the dangerous goods on board.
9.5.2 Provision of Information to Passengers
To prevent dangerous goods prohibited in passenger baggage from being brought on board, passengers must be informed about accepted/prohibited DG at check-in counters, automated kiosks and during ticket purchase.
9.6 Reporting
9.6.1 Dangerous Goods Accidents and Incidents
The operator must report any dangerous goods accident or incident to the appropriate authority of the State in which the occurrence took place and to the State of the operator. "Accident" and "incident" are defined in ICAO Annex 13.
9.6.2 Undeclared / Misdeclared DG
If undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods are discovered in cargo or mail, the operator must report to the appropriate authority of the State in which the discovery was made and the State of origin.
9.6.4 Reporting of Dangerous Goods Occurrences
The operator must report to the appropriate authority when:
- (a) Dangerous goods are found that have not been loaded, have been separated or have been refused
- (b) Dangerous goods are discovered that have been carried without the required information having been provided (non-compliance with S8 and 9.5.1)
Source: IATA DGR 67th Ed., Section 9 (p.769-782), PNG Page 0807-0820