Dangerous Goods and Cargo
Security
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Introduction
Dangerous
Goods are articles or substances which are capable of posing a significant
risk to health, safety, property or the environment when transported by air. Development of the Regulations for
the safe transportation of Dangerous Goods
Annex 18
to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation entitled "The
Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air" was developed in response to a
need expressed by Contracting States for an internationally agreed set of
provisions governing the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. The broad
provisions of Annex 18 are elaborated in the International Civil Aviation
Organizations Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous
Goods by Air (DOC 9284). The internationally agreed instructions in DOC 9284, are also reflected in the IATA Dangerous Goods
Regulations. Limitations on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods
Some
dangerous goods have been identified as being too dangerous to be carried on
any aircraft under any circumstances; others are forbidden under normal
circumstances but may be carried with specific approvals from the States
concerned; some are restricted to carriage on all-cargo aircraft; most
however, can be safely carried on passenger aircraft as well, provided
certain requirements are met. Functions and Services
The
CAA dangerous goods specialists provide dangerous goods technical material
for development of regulations and policies and are constantly reviewing international
standards and practices related to transportation of dangerous goods, to
ensure that the regulations remain relevant and up to date
Requirement
for training Civil
Aviation Regulation 92.00.8 requires the following persons to receive and
remain current in dangerous goods training: ·
All shippers, packers, shipper's agents, operators, as
well as ·
any person who performs the act of accepting, handling,
loading, unloading, transferring or other processing of cargo, ·
any person which performs the act of processing
passengers ·
any person engaged in the screening of passengers and
their baggage ·
passenger handling personnel ·
flight crew members All
training must be in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR)
92.00.8 the provisions of which are detailed in Civil Aviation Technical
Standards (SA-CATS-DG) and ICAO Technical Instructions. The
training specifically comprises the following items that are also applicable
to refresher training every 24 months: Dangerous
Goods initial training is subject to the provisions of CAR 92.00.8 (3)
while refresher training that must be carried out every 24 months is
subject to provision of CAR 92.00.8 (4). Both classifications of training
comprise the following: ·
General familiarisation training; ·
Training in the requirements applicable to the function
for which that person is responsible; and ·
Training which must cover the hazards presented by
dangerous goods, safe handling and emergency response.
Only
training organizations that are accredited by the Commissioner may provide
approved dangerous goods courses in terms of the regulations. The
accreditation process ensures that course material, instructor qualifications
and examinations comply with all the necessary requirements and that courses
meet international standards. How
to apply for accreditation The
following documentation is required: ·
Application form with the relevant payment ·
Copy of Participant's Manual ·
Examination and Answer Sheets ·
Copy of Instructor's Certificates ·
Manual of Procedures (Listing Standards, Criteria and
Quality Control) ·
Copy of training aids to be used and lesson Plans In
addition to the documentation requirements, the training premises have to be
inspected for requirements such as ventilation, emergency exits, emergency
equipment, and convenience facilities. For more information on accredited training
schools contact Thami Zembe,
Manager: Dangerous Goods at 011 545 1198 or e-mail: ZembeT@caa.co.za.
CAA
specialists also conduct educational projects aimed at enlightening industry
stakeholders on the effects of dangerous goods in aviation.
An
inspection is an on-site activity undertaken by an "authorised
officer" for the purpose of verifying that the regulated party's
compliance with applicable regulations. Types
of Inspections ·
Certification inspection - A scheduled
inspection relating to licencing and certificate
approval. ·
Surveillance inspection - An announced or
unannounced inspection which is planned for by the CAA to monitor compliance ·
Follow up inspection - An inspection that
is required as a result of non-compliance identified in a previous
inspection.
In
terms of CAR Part 92.00.22, dangerous goods accidents and incidents must be
reported to the Commissioner within 48 hours. Once this report is received,
Dangerous Goods Inspectors are dispatched to conduct an investigation that is
followed by remedial action.
Where
necessary, Dangerous Goods Inspectors may follow enforcement procedures with
a view to enforcing compliance.
CAR
Part 92.99.03 (1) provides for the exemption by Commissioner, of persons to
whom the transportation of dangerous goods regulations apply.
The exemptions relate to cases of : 1.
extreme urgency 2.
other forms of conveyance being
inappropriate; or 3.
full compliance with the provisions of this
part being contrary to aviation safety Only
the Commissioner for Civil Aviation may grant an exemption or an approval. Procedures
for exemption approval Information
required in applying for transportation of dangerous goods exemption in terms
of CAR Part 92.00.3 is contained in DOC 9284- Supplement. |