Dangerous Goods
About Us
The Dangerous Goods section provide dangerous goods technical expertise to the aviation industry and its key responsibilities include the regulatory oversight in terms of the orderly and safe transportation of dangerous goods by air and the regulatory oversight of the aviation industry to ensure the safe, secure, and orderly transport of dangerous goods by air.
Dangerous Goods Regulations
The Safe Transport of dangerous goods in South Africa is governed by the SACAA regulations, SACAR, Part 92 and its associated technical standards, SACATS, Part 92. https://caa.mylexisnexis.co.za/#
Dangerous Goods Training
Requirement for training
Civil Aviation Regulation 92.01.45 requires that a person involved with the transport of dangerous goods operations shall be trained in the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities as prescribed in Subpart 2 of the Part 92 regulations prior to commencing their duties. Such training shall be based on the Competency Based Training and Assessment methodology as prescribed in the Subpart 2 and shall comprise of knowledge training which shall be acquired through an SACAA approved training organisation, IATA or ICAO and a practical and assessment component which shall be conducted by the employer, or an organisation appointed by the employer to carry such a function. The practical component shall be in the form of an on-the-job training which shall be followed by a final assessment before a person is certified competent.
Additionally, such a person is required to undergo recurrent dangerous goods training and assessment within 24 months of any previous training to ensure that knowledge is current.
Training programs
Regulation 92.02.2 stipulates that an air service operator or an entity involved in the conveyance of dangerous goods shall establish and maintain a dangerous goods training programme which shall be approved by the Director. The entities referred to above shall include —
- A shipper of dangerous goods, including a packer and a person or organisation undertaking the responsibilities of a shipper;
- A ground handling agency which performs, on behalf of an air service operator, the act of accepting, handling, loading, unloading, transferring, or other processing of cargo or mail;
- A ground handling agency located at an aerodrome which perform, on behalf of an air service operator, the act of processing passengers;
- A ground handling agency, not located at an aerodrome, which performs, on behalf of an air service operator, the act of checking in passengers;
- A freight forwarder, consolidator, or courier;
- A ground handling agency engaged in the security screening of passengers and crew and their baggage, cargo, or mail; and
- A designated postal company.
All training must be in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) Part 92, Subpart 2, the provisions of which are detailed in Civil Aviation Technical Standards (SA-CATS-92) and the ICAO Technical Instructions (DOC 9284).
Dangerous Goods Training Organisations
Only training organizations that are approved by the Director of Civil Aviation may provide dangerous goods training (Dangerous Goods by air) in terms of Subpart 3 of the Part 92 Regulations.
The approval process ensures that the training provided meets regulatory requirements.
How to apply for approval
The following documentation is required:
- Application form with the relevant payment;
- Learner Manuals;
- Examination and Answer Sheets;
- Copy of Instructor’s CV including Certificates;
- Manual of Procedures (Listing Standards, Criteria and Quality Control); and
- Description of training aids to be used and Lesson Plans
In addition to the documentation requirements, the premises must be conducive to training and shall be inspected by the SACAA.
For more information on approved training providers, or to apply for approval to provide dangerous goods training, contact the Dangerous Goods Section at DangerousGoodsOperations@caa.co.za.
Dangerous Goods Training Instructors
Only instructors that are approved or authorized by the Director of Civil Aviation may provide dangerous goods training (Dangerous Goods by air) in terms of Subpart 4 of the Part 92 Regulations.
Educational Projects on the safe transportation of Dangerous Goods
The Dangerous Goods section also participates in safety awareness campaigns to communicate and disseminate safety promotional material relating to dangerous goods.
Dangerous goods accident and incident reporting
The operator of an aircraft, cargo warehouse personnel, aerodrome manager, ramp and ground handlers involved in a dangerous goods accident or dangerous goods incident within the Republic, shall within 48 hours after such accident or incident has occurred, notify—
- in the case of an accident, the Director, any ATSU or the nearest police station; or
- in the case of an incident, any ATSU,
of such accident or incident, and such ATSU or police station, as the case may be, shall immediately on receipt of the notification, notify—
- the Director; and
- where such accident or incident occurs at an aerodrome, the aerodrome manager.
The operator of a South African aircraft involved in a dangerous goods accident or dangerous goods incident outside the Republic, must, as soon as practicable, notify—
- the appropriate authority of the State in territory where the accident or incident has occurred, directly or through any ATSU; and
- the Director,
of such accident or incident.
Notification of Undeclared or Misdeclared dangerous goods
The operator of an aircraft in which dangerous goods are conveyed within the Republic or outside the Republic shall, within 48 hours after the discovery of—
- any undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods; or
- dangerous goods not permitted in terms of regulation 92.00.27, on board the aircraft or in the baggage of a passenger or flight crew member, notify the Director or the appropriate authority thereof, as the case may be.
In order to prevent the occurrence of instances of undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods in cargo each operator shall establish procedures for investigating and compiling information concerning such occurrences in the territory and which involve the transport of dangerous goods originating in, or destined for, another territory, and those procedures must be clearly stated in the Manual of Procedures (MOP).
Reports of occurrences of instances shall be made available to the Director, or the appropriate authority of the State in which this occurred, within 48 hours.
All dangerous goods incidents / accidents must be reported to: DangerousGoodsOperations@caa.co.za
Dangerous Goods Enforcement
Where necessary, Dangerous Goods Inspectors may follow enforcement procedures with a view to enforcing compliance.
Granting of Exemptions and Approvals
The Director may grant an exemption to enable the transport by air of dangerous goods which may not be permitted in normal circumstances or in conditions which are different to those prescribed in the regulations.
Such exemptions may only be granted in instances of extreme urgency, when other forms of transport are inappropriate or when full compliance with the regulations is contrary to the public interest.
For more information to apply for an exemption or approval contact DangerousGoodsOperations@caa.co.za.
Dangerous Goods Useful Documents
- General Exemption from compliance with the provisions of Part 92.01.47 together with SA-CATS 92.01.47, Part 92.02.1 – 2 together with CATS 92.02.1; 2A; 2B, as well as Part 92.04.1 – 2 and CATS 92.04.1A; 1B & 1C, for a period of 180 days.
- Exemption Risk Assessment
- On-board Dangerous Goods Emergency Response Guide
- Dangerous Goods Emergency Response Guide for Ground Staff
- Contingency Plan for the Industry
Promotional Material
- Prohibited Dangerous Goods for checked baggage
- Reporting and confiscation of Dangerous Goods
- Information on items carried in checked baggage or into the aircraft cabin
- Transportation of hoverboards
- Carriage of alcohol-based hand sanitisers by passengers
- Carriage of alcohol-based hand sanitisers by passengers and crew
Technical Guidance Material
Name | File |
---|---|
TGM For Competency-Based Training And Assessment Approach To Dangerous Goods | Download 1176 kb |
TGM For Cargo Handling Organisations And Cargo Operators | Download 990 kb |
TGM For Dangerous Goods Approved Operators | Download 992 kb |
TGM For Non Dangerous Goods Operators | Download 703 kb |
TGM For Handling Of Dangerous Goods By Aerodromes And Heliports | Download 297 kb |
TGM For Dangerous Goods Packing Organisations | Download 712 kb |
Online ELearning And Computer Based Learning Systems | Download 63 kb |
TGM Vaccine Handling Dangerous Goods | Download 69 kb |
TGM For RPAS Operations Dangerous Goods | Download 401 kb |
TGM For Implementing Security Culture | Download 150 kb |
TGM Cybersecurity Culture Programme 280322 | Download 281 kb |
Items which may be carried by passengers and crew on board an aircraft
Dangerous Goods are common items which we use in our homes on a daily basis – but do we ever stop to consider the hazards associated with these items. They may appear quite harmless when they are stored in our garages or kitchen cupboards, but spill them, mix them together or expose them to heat, and they can become extremely dangerous. Examples of these items are chlorine, acid, drain cleaner, bleach etc. Should anything go wrong with items such as these whilst being carried onboard an aircraft, it can pose a serious threat to the safety of both the aircraft and the passengers. For this reason, items that are classified as dangerous goods must be carried in accordance with the ICAO Technical Instructions, as well as South African Civil Aviation Regulations Part 92 which relates to the “Conveyance of Dangerous Goods By Air”.
Some dangerous goods can only be transported on an aircraft if they are properly packed by a competent person or DG packing organisation. These items are listed in the ICAO-Technical Instructions and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and must be packed, marked and labelled in accordance with the ICAO-Technical Instructions. However, there are items listed in the regulations which may be brought onboard the aircraft by passengers and crewmembers, provided that the listed restrictions and limitations are adhered to. The table below provides information of the items which may be carried onboard the aircraft by passengers, in either their checked or carry-on baggage. It is vitally important that passenger handling staff and crewmembers be made aware of the requirements for the carriage of these items, so that they can advise passengers accordingly.
NOTE: If a passenger would like to carry a substance which is not listed on this table, and the substance is identified as having hazardous properties, they will need to get the item packed, marked and labelled in accordance with the dangerous goods regulations. Under no circumstances may the passenger bring the item to be accepted as carry-on or checked baggage.
Should you have any queries regarding the carriage of dangerous goods, or the classification of hazardous articles, please consult the ICAO-Technical Instructions or the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for more information.
Dangerous Goods Regulations
Click here to view Table 2.3 a which stipulates the provision for dangerous goods carried by passengers or crew. Dangerous goods must not be carried in or as passengers or crew, checked or carry-on baggage, except as otherwise provided in the attached. Please note that this table is updated annually and the version above is valid for the 2018 period only.
Dangerous Goods: Requirements for Operations Manual
- Information, instructions and general guidance on the conveyance of dangerous goods including –
- operator’s policy on the conveyance of dangerous goods;
- guidance on the requirements for acceptance, labelling, handling, stowage and segregation of dangerous goods;
- procedures for responding to emergency situations involving dangerous goods; duties of all personnel involved as referred to in a Part 92; and
- instructions on the carriage of the operator’s employees.
- The conditions under which weapons, munitions of war and sporting weapons may be carried.
- Procedures for handling, notifying and reporting of dangerous goods accidents and incidents.
Guidelines for Aviation Training Organizations – Manual of Procedure
The manual of procedures should be in accordance with CAR 141 and CATS-ATO. CATS-ATO will give you the required information to be contained in a manual of procedure.
The following should be included:
- A statement signed by the accountable manager – include the accountable manager’s responsibilities.
- The responsibilities of the person responsible for DG training i.e. amend training material; currency of instructors and this individual must sign accountability for the position.
- Organogram – add “person responsible for DG training”; “DG instructor” and “responsible person QA”
- Responsible person for QA – must list their responsibilities, and sign accountability
- Details of training facilities to be used
- Details of training aids to be used during training
- A summary of the resources at the facilities, and the scope of training to be conducted (DG training for security staff)
- Details of organisations procedure for recording which of its members and personnel hold authorisations granted by the organisation
- Details of the procedures required for “entry level competence of DG instructors” and “ongoing competence of DG instructors”
- Procedures to control, amend and distribute the manual of procedure
- A written procedure to be used when permission is required to deviate from the requirements of the organisation’s manual of procedures
- List of DG instructors
- Copy of certificate to be issued to students
- Policy on internal assessments of instructors
- Policy regarding students who fail exam; how many exam papers are set; pass mark for exam; is the exam open-book?
- Security of exam papers
- Complete CV of DG instructor – include current copy of DG certificate
- Procedure for renewal of ATO on annual basis
- Student feedback form to be included
A certificate of approval will only be issued once the MOP, training material and facilities have been inspected and found satisfactory by a DG inspector.
Dangerous goods accredited training organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to find all Dangerous Goods related FAQs.