Hazmat Shipping Training Promotes Airline Saftey

The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Dangerous Goods Panel has recently suggested a ban be placed on the use of all lithium metal batteries on passenger airlines.

This comes on the heels of serious concern for Certified Hazmat Air Cargo Carriers and their contents. However, it is believed that air carriers can benefit from a more secure and regulated policy.

A risk of fire is the primary reason the DGP recommends the ban, as is stated in the paperwork. The idea has yet to be accepted by the Air Navigation Commission. If this ban is imposed on passenger airlines it will ban any lithium batteries from being transported on cargo planes, which could dramatically affect the air cargo business.

The recommendation for this ban comes after years of critical analysis of the functions and risks associated with these batteries. Several fires have been blamed on lithium batteries as a result of this careful analysis.

For example, a 1999 lithium-ion battery caught on fire at the LAX airport and was later blamed on misplaced pallets and poorly shipped batteries. This was just one incident of a lithium related fire.

Airline officials are pointing to the poor packaging and handling done overseas by countries like China who account for 30% of all lithium based products. Improper packaging leads to fires and mishaps that would not have otherwise occurred. This shows that hazmat shipping training is vital for the safety of airline passengers and employees.

The Federal Aviation Administration has shown that although proper shipment is essential, it does not negate any and all potential mishaps. This proves that hazmat shipping training must be implemented for proper shipping to occur. Regardless of the hazardous materials being shipped, proper procedure should always be followed to avoid any serious problems.

The ban on lithium batteries is as much of a statement as it is a wakeup call for shipping companies. Hazmat shipping training should be improved to avoid more accidents like the one in 1999.

This training will teach shipping employees that serious caution must be taken with every item being shipped, especially if it is labeled as hazardous. Airplane safety is a completely different ball game from freightliners. Any emergency event taking place in the air is 10 times more deadly than one that takes place on land or the ocean.

To avoid any catastrophic events, proper hazmat shipping training must be fully enforced and accepted as a must in your organizations culture and procedures!

Call toll free at 855-637-9566 TCA today to learn more about our hazmat shipping traning and dangerous goods training programs.  We offer customized solutions and training with your MSDS/SDS informationa nd train your employees based on the prodcuts that you ship, not another company or general items.