Within our organisations we should have Emergency Procedures for all eventualities to focus and DG and to understand that we can have two situations we need to deal with:
a) A Dangerous Goods Accident and
b) A Dangerous Goods Incident
What is the difference between a Dangerous Goods Accident and Incident?
Basically an occurrence related to the transport of dangerous goods by air that results in fatal or serious injury to a person or serious damage to property is considered a DG accident.
A dangerous goods incident is therefore any occurrence which can be considered as an occurrence, other than a dangerous goods accident, It may be related to the transport of dangerous goods by air, not necessarily happening on board an aircraft, which results in injury to persons, property damage, fire breakage, spillage, leakage of fluid or radiation, or other evidence that the integrity of the packaging has not been maintained.
Note
Any occurrence relating to the transport of dangerous goods by air which is considered to seriously jeopardize an aircraft or its occupants is also considered a dangerous goods incident.
Some examples of DG incidents include: Any spillage of GD material, a Fire which involves DG, Any undeclared DG which is subsequently discovered and any DG which was incorrectly or “Miss” Declared. There is a human dimension to DG incidents when we consider that injury could be caused through contact with skin or breathing fumes.
Emergency Response Procedures should include elements which:
a) Identify the potential damage to either property or the environment in the event of a leakage within a confined space.
b) Identify the appropriate immediate response which may be provided to prevent and mitigate the effects of the leakage
c) Identify what to do in the case that packages are found to be leaking or even show signs of being damaged, as a damaged package may allow a leak even it is not immediately apparent, or that an internal leak may cause damage which will subsequently allow a leak.
d) Procedures should ensure that any evidence of damage or leaking will provide cause for rejection during the DG acceptance process
e) If a package is determined to be leaking for an unknown reason, any other packages of a similar configuration within the same consignment should be quarantined until a thorough inspection has been carried out.
f) Because of the varied nature of DG in the event that a leakage is observed it is necessary to follow specialist procedures, in particular where this requires the cleaning or disposal of contaminated goods.
g) Environmental Regulations may also be applicable so should be understood for each country or jurisdiction.
h) The emergency services may also have to be called or informed regarding the spillage or in the event of any fire occurring, all necessary contact and support information should be available to employees.
i) All necessary employees should be trained regarding the reporting procedures required in the event of a DG event. Procedures should ensure that the event is reported in the first instance to management.
k) Actions to be taken in the event of a spillage or accident
i/ The substance should be identified and referenced to specific emergency response requirements (All dangerous goods are accompanied by appropriate documentation for example the “Dangerous Goods Shipper’s Declaration” together with appropriate package markings.
ii/ Without incurring any personal risk, Isolate the package by removing other packages as required.
iii/ Notify the appropriate emergency services
iv/ If DG has come into contact with clothes or person, carefully remove clothing wash with copious amounts of water and seek medical assistance ( avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
v/ Ensure all activities are duly recorded and the time line of events is full understood
Dangerous Goods awareness training is available from Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com and online through www.easaonline.com please email office@sassofia.com or easaonline@sassofia.com
