Of course, the transport of dangerous goods, by air or any other form of transportation requires special handling and procedures. But, transporting dangerous goods by air is particularly risky. While air transport is as safe as any other form of transport, an accident can result in the wide dispersal of the dangerous materials being transported.
To help ensure the safe transportation of dangerous goods (sometimes known as hazardous materials, hazmat) a number of organizations, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations (UN) work independently and in concert to develop safe handling guidelines and regulations.
What are Dangerous Goods?
There are a wide range of products and materials that may be considered dangerous goods. IATA maintains a Dangerous Goods Regulation (DGR) manual that helps define what are considered hazardous materials.
“Dangerous goods (also known as hazardous materials or hazmat) are articles or substances which are capable of posing a hazard to health, safety, property or the environment and which are shown in the list of dangerous goods in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations or which are classified according to those Regulations.”
To give you an idea of the sorts of materials that are considered dangerous to transport, here are a few examples.
- Aerosols
- Lithium batteries
- Vaccines
- Fireworks
- Dry-ice
- Gasoline-powered machinery
- Lighters
- Paint
Classes of Dangerous Goods
The UN maintains nine classes of dangerous goods. Every hazardous material falls into one or more of the classes. Each class can have its own regulations for being safely transported. So, it is crucial that shippers correctly identify the dangerous goods class into which their cargo falls.
- Class 1 — Explosives
- Class 2 — Gases
- Class 3 — Flammable Liquids
- Class 4 — Flammable Solids; Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion; Substances which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases
- Class 5 — Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
- Class 6 — Toxic and Infectious Substances
- Class 7 — Radioactive Material
- Class 8 — Corrosives
- Class 9 — Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles, including Environmentally Hazardous Substances
How to Transport Dangerous Goods by Air
Every person and organization involved in the transportation of hazmat must follow strict safety regulations and procedures. Proper training for everyone in the dangerous goods supply chain is crucial to ensuring that they understand the hazards involved and that they are able to competently perform their tasks.
For shippers, their primary responsibility is to declare the shipment as dangerous goods by completing a Dangerous Goods Declaration. They must also ensure that the shipment is properly prepared for transport according to all regulations.
IATA publishes a Dangerous Goods Checklist. By following the checklist, shippers can ensure that everything they have submitted complies with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). After that, the DGR must be consulted to ensure all regulations have been met.
Choose The Right Air Freight Transportation Provider
Shippers should look for air cargo transportation logistics companies with personnel who are trained and qualified in handling hazmats. In addition to ensuring that your dangerous goods arrive safely, they will help you make sure you have followed all the regulations surrounding the transportation of hazardous materials.
To learn more about shipping cargo internationally, check out our recent article Customs Clearance Services & Why You Need Them.
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