Flight Crew & Load Planner - Operator's Responsibilities

When operators accept cargo for transportation by air, the cargo acceptance staff is responsible to ensure, as far as possible, that the consignment does not contain dangerous goods unless the shipper has prepared the shipment in accordance with the DGR. A checklist must be used to accept declared dangerous goods consignments.

In addition to acceptance of dangerous goods, the operator is responsible for the following:

• Storing materials
• Loading materials
• Inspecting materials
• Providing information, including emergency response information
• Reporting dangerous goods accidents and incidents
• Retaining records
• Training staff
• Identifying the person who performs the acceptance check

Operators must provide appropriate information to their employees, including flight crew and ground handling agents, to enable the employees to carry out their responsibilities in regard to dangerous goods. This information must include the following:

• Procedures to alert passengers that certain dangerous goods are specifically prohibited from being in checked baggage
• Action to be taken in the event of an emergency
• Details of the location and identification of cargo holds
• Maximum quantity of dry ice permitted in each compartment
• Instructions on the loading of radioactive material

In addition, when an operator, its subsidiary, or an agent of the operator offers a consignment of dangerous goods, whether they use their own service or those of another operator, they must perform all of the shipper's responsibilities. This commonly occurs when transporting aircraft spares, such as chemical oxygen generators.

The operator must also ensure that passengers are presented with information on forbidden dangerous goods at the point of ticket purchase or, if this is not practical, in another manner before the check-in process, whether in person, at an automated check-in kiosk, or over the Internet. Information provided over the Internet may be in text or pictorial form. In order to complete the check-in process, passengers must acknowledge that they understand the restrictions. In addition, notices of forbidden materials should be prominently displayed in sufficient numbers in aircraft boarding areas, baggage claim areas, and cargo acceptance points.

To learn more about Flight Crew & Load Planner visit our IATA DGR Flight Crew & Load Planner Online Training web page.