A recent global survey has identified budget constraints and constantly changing regulations as key challenges to compliance in the dangerous goods sector.
Conducted by US-based dangerous goods labels, packaging and technology provider, Labelmaster, the survey covered dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals, Professional Aviation Services general manager, David Alexander, however dismissed the finding as “total garbage”.
He told FTW that anyone using these reasons as an excuse for non-compliance with dangerous goods regulations was not only being disingenuous but also dishonest.
“Dangerous goods regulations change infrequently, perhaps once a year, as it is a hugely complicated endeavour,” he said. “For example, in airfreight, all dangerous goods regulations must be changed through the International Civil Aviation Organisation and all 192 member countries must be given time to look at and consider these changes. This can take three to five years.”
Alexander noted that if the new regulations were agreed upon, they would then slowly – emphasis on slowly – find their way into national legislation and International Air Transport Association regulations. He said that the only deviations in this process could be seen when new threats had been recognised and needed to be addressed immediately.
“When lithium batterypowered hover boards had just entered the market, there were several instances where they caught alight during transportation and this led to airlines announcing that they would no longer carry these products,” he added. “However, this is an exceptional occurrence and does not happen regularly.
“All modes of transportation have the same source documents on dangerous goods and the main categories for dangerous goods haven’t changed in years.”
According to Alexander, the largest reason for the continuous low levels of compliance in the dangerous goods space is the reluctance to invest money in training and proper declarations.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, compliance is expensive and some companies are unwilling to pay up,” he said. “But I have zero patience for those trying to get away with not being compliant in the handling and transportation of dangerous goods because it is a small amount of money compared to the risks these products pose to the public; people can die.”
Dangerous goods regulations change infrequently, as it is a hugely complicated endeavour. – David Alexander
