Procedures for Responding to Emergency Situations or Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods
Procedures for Responding to Emergency Situations or Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods
If an in-flight emergency occurs and the situation permits, the Commander must inform the appropriate Air Traffic Services Unit of any potentially dangerous item on board the aircraft, the quantity and the location.
Accidents are events occurring during operation of an airplane in connections with which a person is killed or seriously injured.
Incidents (or "malfunctions”) in connection with dangerous goods are light physical injuries, minor damage and fire, damage to packagings, leakage of their contents, exposure to radiation or other deficiencies which indicate that the packing is no longer fit for fulfilling its purpose or assumed transportation risk which, among other things, is attributable to a faulty declaration of contents.
Any incident involving suspected dangerous goods should be notified immediately to the Commander who should be kept informed of all actions taken and their effect. It is essential that the cabin crew and flight crew coordinate their actions and that each is kept fully informed of the other's actions and intentions.
Apart from the exceptions listed in Chapter 9.1.1.2, dangerous goods are not permitted in the passenger cabin.
Nevertheless, dangerous goods may be carried into the cabin by passengers who are unaware of, or deliberately ignore the requirements of the lATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. It is also possible that an item to which a passenger is legitimately entitled (e.g. an item for medical purposes) may cause an incident.
Opening of bags and cases during flight may show dangerous goods directly but normally nothing will be noticed until an actual problem with the dangerous goods item arises.
Possible problems may be recognised by:
• Bad smell or odour;
• Wet spots on clothes, seat cushion or carpet;
• Abnormal noise (e.g. escaping gas);
• Ultimately fire or smoke.
The cabin crew should identify the item and its owner. Ask him/her to identify the potential hazards. The passenger may be able to give some guidance on the hazard (s) involved and how these could be dealt with. If the passenger is able to identify the hazard, he may be able to give the cabin crew either the Emergency Response Code or the item UN number. If given the UN number, this information shall be passed to the Commander.
Guidelines for Dangerous Goods Incident
This section contains general information and guidelines on the factors that may need to be considered when dealing with any dangerous goods incident.
During Flight:
• Follow the appropriate aircraft emergency procedures for fire or smoke removal:
Refer to QRH / FCOM procedures.
• No Smoking Sign ON:
A smoking ban should be introduced when fumes or vapours are present and be continued for the remainder of the flight.
• Consider landing as soon as possible:
Because of the difficulties and possibly disastrous consequences of any dangerous goods incident, consideration should be given to landing as soon as possible The decision to land at the nearest suitable aerodrome should be made early rather than late, when an incident may have developed to a very critical point, severely restricting operational flexibility.
• Consider switching OFF non-essential electrical power:
As the incident may be caused by electrical problems or as electrical systems may be affected by an incident, and particularly as fire-fighting activities, etc., may damage electric systems; turn off all non-essential electrical items. Retain power only to those instruments, systems and controls necessary for the continued safety of the aircraft. Do not restore power until it is positively safe to do so.
• Determine source of smoke/fire/fumes:
The source of any smoke/fumes/fire may be difficult to determine. Effective firefighting or containment procedures can best be accomplished when the source of the incident is identified.
• For dangerous goods incidents in the passenger cabin, coordinate flight crew/cabin crew actions:
Incidents in the passenger cabin should be dealt with by the cabin crew using the appropriate checklist and procedures. It is essential that the cabin crew and the flight crew coordinate their actions and that each is kept fully informed of the other's actions and intentions.
• Determine emergency response drill code:
When the item has been identified, the corresponding entry on the NOTOC form should be found. The applicable emergency response drill code may be given on the notification form, or if not given, can be found by noting the proper shipping name or the UN number on the notification form and using the alphabetical or numerical list of dangerous goods. If the item causing the incident is not listed on the notification form, an attempt should be made to determine the name or the nature of the substance. The alphabetical list can then be used to determine the emergency response drill code.
• Use guidance from aircraft emergency response drills chart to help deal with incident:
The drill code assigned to an item of dangerous goods consists of a number of 1 to 10 plus a single letter. Referring to the chart of emergency response drills, each drill number corresponds to a line of information concerning the risk posed by that substance and guidance on the preferable action that should be taken. The drill letter is shown separately on the drill chart; it indicates other possible hazards of the substance. In some cases, the guidance given by the drill number may be further refined by the information given by the drill letter.
• If the situation permits, notify ATC of the dangerous goods being carried:
If an in-flight emergency occurs and the situation permits, the Commander should inform the appropriate air traffic services unit of the dangerous goods on board the aircraft. Wherever possible this information should include the proper shipping name and/or UN number, the class/division and for Class 1 the compatibility group, any identified subsidiary risk(s), the quantity and the location on board the aircraft.
When it is not considered possible to include all the information, those parts thought most relevant in the circumstances should be given.
After Landing:
• Disembark passengers and crew before opening any cargo compartment doors:
Even if it has not been necessary to complete an emergency evacuation after landing, passengers and crew should disembark before any attempt is made to open the cargo compartment doors and before any further action is taken to deal with a dangerous goods incident. The cargo compartment doors should be opened with the emergency services in attendance.
• Inform ground personnel/emergency services of nature of item and where it is stowed:
Upon arrival, take the necessary steps to identify to the ground staff where the item is stored. Pass on by the quickest available means all information about the item including, when appropriate, a copy of the NOTOC.
• Make an appropriate entry in Aircraft Technical Log:
An entry should be made in the Aircraft Technical Log that a check needs to be carried out to ensure that any leakage or spillage of dangerous goods has not damaged the aircraft structure or systems and that some aircraft equipment (e g. fire extinguisher, emergency response kit, etc.) may need replenishing or replacing.
A Dangerous Goods Incident Report shall be made by the Commander and shall be reported to Flight Operations Manager as soon as possible.
If an in-flight emergency occurs and the situation permits, the Commander must inform the appropriate Air Traffic Services Unit of any potentially dangerous item on board the aircraft, the quantity and the location.
Accidents are events occurring during operation of an airplane in connections with which a person is killed or seriously injured.
Incidents (or "malfunctions”) in connection with dangerous goods are light physical injuries, minor damage and fire, damage to packagings, leakage of their contents, exposure to radiation or other deficiencies which indicate that the packing is no longer fit for fulfilling its purpose or assumed transportation risk which, among other things, is attributable to a faulty declaration of contents.
Any incident involving suspected dangerous goods should be notified immediately to the Commander who should be kept informed of all actions taken and their effect. It is essential that the cabin crew and flight crew coordinate their actions and that each is kept fully informed of the other's actions and intentions.
Apart from the exceptions listed in Chapter 9.1.1.2, dangerous goods are not permitted in the passenger cabin.
Nevertheless, dangerous goods may be carried into the cabin by passengers who are unaware of, or deliberately ignore the requirements of the lATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. It is also possible that an item to which a passenger is legitimately entitled (e.g. an item for medical purposes) may cause an incident.
Opening of bags and cases during flight may show dangerous goods directly but normally nothing will be noticed until an actual problem with the dangerous goods item arises.
Possible problems may be recognised by:
• Bad smell or odour;
• Wet spots on clothes, seat cushion or carpet;
• Abnormal noise (e.g. escaping gas);
• Ultimately fire or smoke.
The cabin crew should identify the item and its owner. Ask him/her to identify the potential hazards. The passenger may be able to give some guidance on the hazard (s) involved and how these could be dealt with. If the passenger is able to identify the hazard, he may be able to give the cabin crew either the Emergency Response Code or the item UN number. If given the UN number, this information shall be passed to the Commander.
Guidelines for Dangerous Goods Incident
This section contains general information and guidelines on the factors that may need to be considered when dealing with any dangerous goods incident.
During Flight:
• Follow the appropriate aircraft emergency procedures for fire or smoke removal:
Refer to QRH / FCOM procedures.
• No Smoking Sign ON:
A smoking ban should be introduced when fumes or vapours are present and be continued for the remainder of the flight.
• Consider landing as soon as possible:
Because of the difficulties and possibly disastrous consequences of any dangerous goods incident, consideration should be given to landing as soon as possible The decision to land at the nearest suitable aerodrome should be made early rather than late, when an incident may have developed to a very critical point, severely restricting operational flexibility.
• Consider switching OFF non-essential electrical power:
As the incident may be caused by electrical problems or as electrical systems may be affected by an incident, and particularly as fire-fighting activities, etc., may damage electric systems; turn off all non-essential electrical items. Retain power only to those instruments, systems and controls necessary for the continued safety of the aircraft. Do not restore power until it is positively safe to do so.
• Determine source of smoke/fire/fumes:
The source of any smoke/fumes/fire may be difficult to determine. Effective firefighting or containment procedures can best be accomplished when the source of the incident is identified.
• For dangerous goods incidents in the passenger cabin, coordinate flight crew/cabin crew actions:
Incidents in the passenger cabin should be dealt with by the cabin crew using the appropriate checklist and procedures. It is essential that the cabin crew and the flight crew coordinate their actions and that each is kept fully informed of the other's actions and intentions.
• Determine emergency response drill code:
When the item has been identified, the corresponding entry on the NOTOC form should be found. The applicable emergency response drill code may be given on the notification form, or if not given, can be found by noting the proper shipping name or the UN number on the notification form and using the alphabetical or numerical list of dangerous goods. If the item causing the incident is not listed on the notification form, an attempt should be made to determine the name or the nature of the substance. The alphabetical list can then be used to determine the emergency response drill code.
• Use guidance from aircraft emergency response drills chart to help deal with incident:
The drill code assigned to an item of dangerous goods consists of a number of 1 to 10 plus a single letter. Referring to the chart of emergency response drills, each drill number corresponds to a line of information concerning the risk posed by that substance and guidance on the preferable action that should be taken. The drill letter is shown separately on the drill chart; it indicates other possible hazards of the substance. In some cases, the guidance given by the drill number may be further refined by the information given by the drill letter.
• If the situation permits, notify ATC of the dangerous goods being carried:
If an in-flight emergency occurs and the situation permits, the Commander should inform the appropriate air traffic services unit of the dangerous goods on board the aircraft. Wherever possible this information should include the proper shipping name and/or UN number, the class/division and for Class 1 the compatibility group, any identified subsidiary risk(s), the quantity and the location on board the aircraft.
When it is not considered possible to include all the information, those parts thought most relevant in the circumstances should be given.
After Landing:
• Disembark passengers and crew before opening any cargo compartment doors:
Even if it has not been necessary to complete an emergency evacuation after landing, passengers and crew should disembark before any attempt is made to open the cargo compartment doors and before any further action is taken to deal with a dangerous goods incident. The cargo compartment doors should be opened with the emergency services in attendance.
• Inform ground personnel/emergency services of nature of item and where it is stowed:
Upon arrival, take the necessary steps to identify to the ground staff where the item is stored. Pass on by the quickest available means all information about the item including, when appropriate, a copy of the NOTOC.
• Make an appropriate entry in Aircraft Technical Log:
An entry should be made in the Aircraft Technical Log that a check needs to be carried out to ensure that any leakage or spillage of dangerous goods has not damaged the aircraft structure or systems and that some aircraft equipment (e g. fire extinguisher, emergency response kit, etc.) may need replenishing or replacing.
A Dangerous Goods Incident Report shall be made by the Commander and shall be reported to Flight Operations Manager as soon as possible.
Procedures for Responding to Emergency Situations or Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods
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