IATA Cabin Crew & Passenger Security - Hidden

It is essential to maintain constant awareness and vigilance when examining and accepting baggage, or in assisting in the storage of carry-on baggage prior to flight. Sometimes cargo declared under a general description contains unapparent dangerous goods. Passengers or crew members may attempt to carry such goods in their baggage, either knowingly or unknowingly. In these circumstances the hazardous articles are not apparent and are referred to as hidden dangerous goods. They are covered in DGR 2.2.

Certain commodities often include dangerous goods. Typical examples of items that may contain or indicate the presence of dangerous goods are auto parts, company materials (COMAT), electrical equipment, household goods, media equipment, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, and tool boxes. Seek confirmation from a passenger about the contents of any item that may contain dangerous goods. Signs of potential dangerous goods include:

• A package that has visible frost or is very cold when touched may contain dry ice
• Stained or wet packages that may indicate spillage
• Any odors that may indicate spillage or leakage
• A characteristic rattle during handling that may indicate aerosol spray cans
• Packages generating smoke or fumes
• Reused packages that may include old dangerous goods markings or labels
• Packages with pictures of chain saws, lawn mowers, camping stoves, lanterns, or generators
• Packages making noises (such as hissing, whistling, vibrating, ticking)

Certain liquids or powders, such as water based paint or frozen seafood, may cause serious clean-up problems or corrosion to aircraft structures and must be checked to ensure that packaging is adequate to prevent leakage during transport. Freight forwarders, ground handling agents, and operators must be familiar with diamond-shaped GHS pictograms because their presence on packages may indicate the presence of dangerous goods. While some GHS pictograms identify substances that only pose a hazard for supply and use, other pictograms include symbols that are equivalent to the symbols used in hazard labels for transport and, therefore, may be classified as dangerous goods. Consult Table B.4.A in the 59th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for more information.

To learn more about IATA Cabin Crew and Passenger Security visit our IATA Online Training web page.