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Why is Dangerous Goods training required?

EU and international legislation states that all staff directly or indirectly involved in the transport of goods classed as dangerous by air, road, sea, rail, or inland waterway, must receive training appropriate to their job. The scope and content of this training is defined in law.

The legal requirement for this training is defined in the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Technical Instructions for The Safe Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Air. The Technical Instructions are incorporated in the aviation law of Sovereign States world wide. In the Technical Instructions staff are divided into categories according to the training required appropriate to each category.

Details of these requirements are listed below in 'International Air Requirements'.

Training requirements for staff involved in road transport are detailed in ADR in the EU, (and in those countries that have adopted ADR). Where individual countries have not adopted ADR, or there are additional requirements, specific national legislation applies.

Training requirements for staff involved in sea transport are detailed in the IMO (international Maritime Organisation) regulations.

The on-line training courses on this website are designed to meet specific aspects I these requirements.

Online Dangerous Goods Training Courses

The course Introduction to Dangerous Goods by Air, Road, and Sea; Overview for Management and Staff provides the general introduction and familiarization referred to in legislation for management, and for staff in a support or associated role who do not require more detailed training. The course gives an overview of the legislation and responsibilities applying to the handling and carriage of Dangerous Goods by Air, Road, and Sea.

The following online Dangerous Goods by Air training courses we offer on this website are accepted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority as meeting their requirements for this training and are specifically for staff categories as follows -

Dangerous Goods by Air for Cargo Staff and Airport Ground Handling Staff (ICAO/IATA Cat. 4, 5, 7, and 8)

This course covers the requirements for staff in many on and off airport roles (other than those in categories 1,2,3, and 6) with Freight Forwarders, Cargo Agents, Ground Handling Agents, Operators, including (but not limited to) –

• cargo staff (in office, warehouse, sales, reservations, and customer contact roles) and their supervisors and managers, etc.
• Operator and Airport Ground Handling Staff, including cargo and baggage loaders; staff loading/unloading aircraft, ULDs, and vehicles; staff in support and supervisory roles, e.g. ramp coordinators, operations staff, crew check-in staff, etc.

Dangerous Goods by Air for Passenger Handling Staff and Security screeners (ICAO/IATA Categories 9 and 12)

This course covers the requirements for staff in many on and off airport passenger handling and security roles, including (but not limited to) passenger check-in, passengers requiring special attention, (including lounge staff, and unaccompanied minors staff etc), passenger escort and boarding staff, porters and baggage handlers, baggage services, ticket desk and reservations, information desk, on and off airport baggage drops, etc., and security staff undertaking passenger and baggage screening; and supervisors and managers of these staff.

Dangerous Goods by Air for Flight Crew Members, Load Planners, and Loadmasters (ICAO/IATA category 10)

This course covers the requirements for all Flight Crew (pilots) of any passenger or cargo aircraft, whether or not the carrier accepts dangerous goods, Load Planners and Loadmasters, whether or not dangerous goods are accepted for carriage. These are staff in category 10 as defined in the ICAO Technical Instructions.

Dangerous Goods by Air for Crew Members (other than flight crew members) (ICAO/IATA category 11)

This course covers the requirements for aircrew, other than flight crew, e.g. flight attendants, cabin service staff, and any other staff who have duties on board the aircraft.

NOTE

Staff categories 1, 2, 3, and 6 require 'in depth' training, which is usually by a three-day classroom course. If you need this training please follow the links on the 'contact us' page.

International Air Requirements

The International Civil Aviation Organization has produced detailed requirements for the international air transport of dangerous goods and these are in the Technical Instructions. They contain all the requirements that are applicable to consigning dangerous goods by air. For training, there are specific responsibilities placed on both shippers and operators; and there are general requirements for the training of everyone who is involved in the transport of dangerous goods by air, irrespective of where they are in the transport chain and no matter whether they are dealing with cargo, mail, aircraft stores or passengers. All of the provisions of the Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations in the United Kingdom stem from the requirements of the Technical Instructions.

For the training of those who consign dangerous goods, Part 5, paragraph 1.4 of the Technical Instructions contains this shipper's responsibility: 'Before a consignment of dangerous goods is offered for air transport, all relevant persons involved in its preparation must have received training to enable them to carry out their responsibilities, as detailed in Part 1 [of the Technical Instructions]. Where a shipper does not have trained staff, the "relevant persons" may be interpreted as applying to those employed to act on the shipper's behalf and to undertake the shipper's responsibilities in the preparation of the consignment. However, such persons must be trained as required by Part 1, Chapter 4 [of the Technical Instructions].'

For the training of those who are employed by or act on behalf of operators, Part 7, paragraph 4.9 of the Technical Instructions contains this operator's responsibility: 'An operator must ensure training is provided in accordance with the detailed requirements of Part 1, Chapter 4 [of the Technical Instructions] to all relevant employees, including those of agencies employed to act on the operator's behalf, to enable them to carry out their responsibilities with regard to the transport of dangerous goods.'

The training requirements of the Technical Instructions in Part 1, Chapter 4, are that: 'Initial and recurrent dangerous goods training programmes must be established and maintained by or on behalf of:

1. shippers of dangerous goods, including packers and persons or organizations undertaking the responsibilities of the shipper;
2. operators;
3. ground handling agencies which perform, on behalf of the operator, the act of accepting, handling, loading, unloading, transferring or other processing of cargo, mail or stores;
4. ground handling agencies located at an airport which perform, on behalf of the operator, the act of processing passengers;
5. agencies, not located at an airport, which perform, on behalf of the operator, the act of checking in passengers;
6. freight forwarders, and
7. agencies engaged in the security screening of passengers and their baggage and/ or cargo, mail or stores.'

Personnel must receive training in the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. Such training must include:

1. general familiarisation training - which must be aimed at providing familiarity with the general provisions;
2. function specific training - which must provide detailed training in the requirements applicable to the function for which that person is responsible;
3. safety training - which must cover the hazards presented by dangerous goods, safe handling and emergency procedures.

Training must be provided, or verified, upon the employment of a person in a position involving the transport of dangerous goods by air or the processing of cargo or passengers.

Recurrent training must take place within 24 months of previous training to ensure knowledge is current.

A test to verify understanding must be undertaken following training. Confirmation that the test has been completed satisfactorily is required.

A record of training must be maintained which must include

1. the individual's name;
2. the most recent training completion date;
3. a description of, copy of or reference to training materials used to meet the training requirements;
4. the name and address of the organisation providing the training; and
5. evidence which shows that a test has been completed satisfactorily.

The record of training must be made available upon request by the appropriate authority.

The subject matter relating to dangerous goods transport with which various categories of personnel should be familiar is indicated in the following table, which you will find in the Technical Instructions, the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and sovereign country legislation. It lists staff by category and then indicates what training they need.