Management of Special Cargo.edited

Management of Special Cargo
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Introduction
Dangerous goods are items which contain hazardous properties; hence, if they are not handled with care, they may present a present some level of risk to human health and safety. Aside from that, dangerous goods may also pose some risk to property and the environment. Dangerous goods are classified into nine categories including flammable goods, gases, radioactive material, and miscellaneously dangerous items. These dangerous goods require specialized handling in the aircraft so that they do not harm passengers aboard or the immediate environment as the aircraft travels (Cheng et al., 2006). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority provides regulations and the standard code of practice that guides air transport providers in the handling and packaging of special cargo. In this paper, I will discuss the handling, code regulations, and aircraft considerations for human remains (blood samples), oxidizing substances, and corrosive goods.
Human Remains (Blood Samples)
Biological samples are described to be dangerous if they infectious pathogens that may attack humans or animals. Biological specimens are classified as stated in the UN’s air transport regulation manual. When transporting biological specimens, one should first identify the UN class corresponding to the specimen. The specimen is then categorized in either category A, B, C or exempt. As per IATA regulations, all specimens are packed in triple packaging. The packaged specimen is correctly documented and labelled to identify it as infectious or exempt as well as its quantity.

If the biological sample has an overpack container, then, all the information contained on the inner pack should appear on the overpack (IATA, 2010). Moreover, the packaging details should include a working emergency contact number for the referring laboratory to be contacted in case of loss. Also, the referral laboratory is required to have an import permit and forward the copy of the permit to the shipper while the referring hospital should acquire an export permit before presenting the cargo. The shipper should make prior arrangements with the referral laboratory and communicate through an official email on the sending and arrival of the cargo (WHO, 2015). It is recommendable to transport human specimens through a private aircraft since the specimen require special carriage containers and packaging. Moreover, transporting blood samples via a private aircraft minimizes the risk of human exposure to potential infecting pathogens in the environment.
Oxidizing Substances
Oxidizers are chemical substances which can yield oxygen after undergoing a redox reaction. Oxidizing substances are classified under dangerous goods since by yielding oxygen they can contribute to or facilitate combustion of other flammable goods hence causing an unwanted fire. Under this class, organic peroxides are also identified as dangerous goods since they contain hydrogen peroxide which upon undergoing exothermic decomposition may release heat, or upon friction with other goods, they may react vigorously (Cheng et al., 2006). Oxidizing substances are known to cause damage to the human eye; hence their risk factor. Transporting oxidizing substances is governed by class 5 dangerous goods regulation. To identify oxidizing substances, a test is conducted whereby the solid or liquid is mixed with a combustible substance to ascertain the potential of the good to cause spontaneous ignition when mixed vigorously. The cargo is labelled with the correct UN number; that is, UN 3101 for hydrogen peroxides. Also, the good is labelled as PG I, II, III to indicate the degree of risk it may pose (WHO, 2015). IATA recommends that when transporting oxidizing substances that pose a high level of risk a private aircraft is preferred (IATA, 2010).
Corrosive Substances
Cargo that contains corrosive properties is defined as that which upon contact with other materials it results in partial or whole disintegration of the affected good. Corrosive goods may cause severe damage when it touches the human skin or any other living tissue, or upon leakage, they may destroy surrounding materials or the aeroplane itself. Corrosive substances are regulated by the class 8 goods regulation standards. Class 8 goods are packaged according to the packaging group III requirements. In this class, corrosive substances are classified into two categories. First, those substances that have the potential to eat into the full thickness of the intact skin in a period of 14 days and after an exposure period of a minimum of one minute but not exceeding four hours. The second category consists of substances that upon tests at 550 C, they cause corrosion of up to 6.25mm on aluminium or steel in a period of 365 days (IATA, 2010). According to the IATA recommendations, corrosive cargo may be transported in a public aeroplane but they are packed away from aluminium or steel.
Conclusion
As discussed above, dangerous goods require special handling and aircraft considerations to ensure safety for passengers abroad and the environment at large. I have highlighted the standard requirements for packaging, labelling, documenting, and aircraft considerations for human remains, corrosive substances, and oxidizing materials. Indeed, IATA’s regulations, UN Recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods, and technical instructions provided by ICAO have provided a standard benchmark to ensure that the health and safety of air passengers are protected as well as safeguarding the environment for the common good of the global community.
References
Chang, Y. H., Yeh, C. H., & Liu, Y. L. (2006). Prioritizing management issues of moving dangerous goods by air transport. Journal of Air Transport Management, 12(4), 191-196.
International Air Transport Association. (2010). IATA dangerous goods regulations. International Air Transport Association.
World Health Organization. (2015). Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2015–2016: applicable as of 1 January 2015.