Cabin Crew Checklist for Dangerous Goods Incidents in the Passenger Cabin

Cabin Crew Checklist for Dangerous Goods Incidents in the Passenger Cabin

The general rules to be observed following a dangerous goods incident in-flight in the passenger cabin are:
• Notify the Commander;
• Identify the item;
• In case of fire, use standard procedures but check use of water;
• Determine emergency response drill code and use emergency drills chart to help deal with the incident;
• In case of spillage or leakage:
   - Put on rubber gloves, smoke hoods or masks as necessary;
   - Move passengers away from area and distribute wet towels/clothes;
   - Place suspect items in polyethene bags;
   - Stow polyethene bags;
   - Treat affected seats and covers in the same manner as dangerous goods;
   - Cover spillage on carpet floor;
   - Regularly inspect items stowed away / contaminated furnishings.

Dangerous Goods Incident Response Drills

After completion of the aeroplane emergency procedures consider to land as soon as practicable and use drill from the chart below.

Dangerous Goods Incident and Accident Reports

Any type of dangerous goods incident or accident must be reported to the Authority immediately, irrespective of whether the dangerous goods are contained in cargo, mail, passenger's baggage or crew baggage.

Initial reports may be made by telephone or telefax which must be followed by a written report.

The report shall contain all data as far as they are known at the time the report is made.

Main points for the report are:
• Date of the accident or incident;
• Location of the incident;
• Flight number and date of flight;
• Description of the goods;
• Location of the dangerous goods (cargo, mail, passengers baggage, crew baggage);
• Reference number of the airway bill, pouch, baggage tag, ticket;
• Shipping name and UN number;
• Class or division and any subsidiary risk;
• Type of packaging, packaging specification marking;
• Quantity of involved dangerous goods;
• Name and address of the shipper, passenger;
• Suspected cause of the incident or accident;
• Action taken;
• Other relevant details.

The report must contain the name, title, address and contact number of the person who made the report.

Copies of the relevant documents and photographs taken should be attached to the report.

Instructions on the Carriage of Employees of the Operator

There is no restriction on the carriage of employees on an aeroplane carrying dangerous goods which are permitted on a passenger aeroplane. When an aeroplane is carrying dangerous goods which can only be carried on a cargo aeroplane, employees of the operator can also be carried provided they are in an official capacity. That means they have duties concerned with the preparation or undertaking of a flight or on the ground once the aeroplane has landed, although not necessarily in connection with an aeroplane.

Information/Notification to the Commander

An Operator of an aeroplane in which dangerous goods are to be carried must provide the Commander as soon as practicable, prior to departure, with written information (NOTOC) which specifies at least the following:
• Airway Bill number;
• Proper shipping name and UN number or ID number as listed in these Regulations;
• Class or Division, and subsidiary risks for which labels are required, by numerals and in the case of Class I, the compatibility group;
• Packing Group when applicable;
• Number of packages, the net quantity of each package and their exact loading location.
• For radioactive materials the number of packages, their category, their Transport Index (if applicable), and their exact loading location;
• Whether the package must be carried on cargo aircraft only;
• Aerodrome at which the package(s) is to be unloaded.

The written information to the Commander must be readily available to him during flight. The information to the Commander must also include confirmation (the name and signature of the leading supervisor) that there is no evidence that any damaged or leaking packages have been loaded on the aircraft. Further detailed information is given to be able to perform an administration spot check. This is advisable because all information is inserted manually without any automatic check system.

Form

An example of "Dangerous Goods Notification to Commander" form:

Dangerous Goods Training

Training Programmes

The Company has established and maintains the following staff training programmes approved by the Authority, and as required by the Technical Instructions.

Note: Training Programmes described below shall be considered as an absolute minimum. Detailed syllabi of training programmes for crew members are specified in OM Part D.

Training Programmes of the Operator Not Holding Permanent Approval to Carry Dangerous Goods

• Personnel, who are engaged in general cargo and baggage handling, shall receive training to carry out their duties in respect to dangerous goods. As a minimum this training must cover the areas identified in column 1 of the table below and be to a depth sufficient to ensure that an awareness is gained of the hazards associated with dangerous goods, how to identify them and what requirements apply to the carriage of such goods by passengers; and
• The following personnel:
   - Crew members,
   - Passenger handling staff, and
   - Security staff employed by the operator who deal with the screening of passengers and their baggage, shall receive training which, as a minimum, must cover the areas identified in column 2 of the table below and be to a depth sufficient to ensure that awareness is gained of the hazards associated with dangerous goods, how to identify them and what requirements apply to the carriage of such goods by passengers.

Responsibilities

Dangerous goods must not be carried without an approval by the Authority except those items listed in Chapter 9.1.1.2 and Table of Provisions for Dangerous Goods Carried by Passengers or Crew. Basic requirement for transportation of dangerous goods is the permanent approval by the Authority which will be reflected on the Air Operator’s Certificate. For occasional transports, an approval may be issued from time to time.

Responsibility of the Shipper

The shipper must:
• Ensure that his personnel is fully qualified;
• Ensure that the articles or substances are not prohibited for transport by air;
• Classify each item of dangerous goods into one of the nine classes;
• Limit the quantity contained in each package to the maximum allowed;
• Use the correct type of packaging;
• Put the required labels and markings on the package;
• Enter the required details on the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods stating that the goods have been properly prepared for transport and sign it.

Responsibility of the Operator/Handling Agent

The operator/handling agent must:
• Ensure that his personnel is fully qualified;
• Ensure that training is provided (in accordance with the ICAO requirements) to all relevant employees, including those of agencies employed to act on behalf of the operator (Handling Agents);
• Inspect each package for leakage or damage and for correct labels and markings when offered for transportation;
• Complete a comprehensive checklist and only accept the consignment if all relevant requirements have been complied with;
• Inspect each package for leakage or damage before loading on the aircraft;
• Inspect each package for evidence of leakage or damage upon unloading from the aircraft;
• Correctly position, segregate and secure each package aboard the aircraft;
• Inform the passengers in such a manner that they are warned as to the types of dangerous goods that must not be taken on board an aeroplane. Warning notices and/or placards should be prominently displayed at ticket- and check-in counters, in boarding areas and baggage claim areas. The ticket should also contain a warning on the ticket itself, on the ticket wallet or on a leaflet. This passenger information may include reference to those dangerous goods which may be carried on board an aeroplane. Pictographs may be used in addition or as an alternative to providing written information;
• Provide the appropriate Information/ Notification to Commander (NOTOC). The operator is legally required to inform the Commander as soon as practicable about the dangerous goods that will be carried on the aircraft. This must be done before departure and with written information. This information is presented at the pre-flight briefing via the NOTOC.

Responsibility of the Commander

The Commander must:
• Sign the NOTOC during the pre-flight briefing. With his signature he confirms that he has been notified about the Dangerous Goods and other Special Load on board and their loading positions;
• Sign in the cockpit the final NOTOC after he has compared it with the pre-flight NOTOC. With his signature, he confirms that he is familiar with the amendments, if any;
• Retain the NOTOC as a part of documents;
• Be aware of the action to be taken in the event of emergencies involving dangerous goods;
• Inform flight and cabin crew members about the relevant details of the dangerous goods transportation, so that they can monitor the system where possible and can properly carry out their own responsibilities.