DGR 7.2 — Handling Labels (Cargo Aircraft Only, Orientation Arrows, Magnetized Material, Cryogenic)

Handling Labels (Cargo Aircraft Only, Orientation Arrows, Magnetized Material, Cryogenic)

While hazard class labels identify the chemical risk properties of a substance, handling labels provide explicit operational instructions to airline cargo handlers, ramp crews, and flight personnel. Defined in IATA DGR Section 7.2, handling labels dictate physical package positioning, aircraft stowage limitations, temperature controls, and electromagnetic safety precautions. Failure to apply required handling labels can result in severe aviation safety hazards, such as inadvertent placement of forbidden goods on passenger aircraft or cargo spillage due to inverted package orientation.

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Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) Label

The Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) handling label is one of the most critical warnings in air logistics. It signifies that the contents of the package are strictly forbidden on passenger-carrying aircraft due to quantity limits or extreme hazard classifications.

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                             |
|   CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY                                       |
|                                                             |
|   [ GRAPHIC: BLACK AIRPLANE & CARGO LOADING DOORWAY ]       |
|                                                             |
|   FORBIDDEN IN PASSENGER AIRCRAFT                           |
|                                                             |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
  Color Scheme: Vivid Orange Background with Black Border/Text
  Minimum Dimensions: 120 mm wide x 110 mm high

Mandatory Application Criteria

• Forbidden on Passenger Aircraft: Must be applied to any package containing dangerous goods that are permitted only on cargo aircraft — that is, where Section 4.2 shows "Forbidden" in Columns I and J but a packing instruction in Column K and a quantity in Column L.
• Exceeding Quantity Limits: Mandatory when the quantity of dangerous goods per package exceeds the passenger aircraft net quantity limit in Column J but stays within the cargo aircraft only limit in Column L.
• Placement Rule: The CAO label must be affixed on the same surface of the package as the hazard class label(s), located immediately adjacent to the hazard labels.

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Package Orientation Labels (Upright Arrows)

Package Orientation handling labels feature two vertical arrows pointing upward within a rectangular outline on a contrasting background (typically black arrows on a white or light background).

Mandatory Application Scenarios

Package Orientation arrows must be affixed to:

1. Combination Packagings containing liquid dangerous goods (e.g., glass bottles of flammable solvent inside a corrugated outer box).
2. Single Packagings fitted with vents (e.g., drums equipped with pressure relief valves).
3. Cryogenic Receptacles designed for the transport of deep-refrigerated liquefied gases.

         ^   ^             ^   ^          
         |   |             |   |          
        +-----+           +-----+         
        |     |           |     |         
        |     |           |     |         
        +-----+           +-----+         
     Side 1 (Front)    Side 2 (Back)
     Mounted on TWO OPPOSITE VERTICAL SIDES

Sizing & Mounting Rules

• Quantity: Exactly two Package Orientation labels must be applied per package.
• Placement: Affixed on two opposite vertical sides of the package, with the arrows pointing strictly toward the top of the container.
• Exclusions: Orientation arrows are not required for pressure receptacles (gas cylinders), flammable liquids in inner packagings of 120 mL or less, or infectious substances in inner packagings of 50 mL or less.

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Specialized Operational Handling Labels

In addition to CAO and orientation arrows, IATA DGR Section 7.2 mandates specialized handling labels for specific physical commodities.

1. Magnetized Material Label (UN 2807 / Class 9 Handling)

• Design: Rectangular label featuring a blue graphic of a bar magnet and a compass needle, with the text "MAGNETIZED MATERIAL".
• Threshold Requirement: Mandatory for any cargo item exhibiting a magnetic field strength capable of causing a compass deflection of 2 degrees or more at a distance of 2.1 meters (equivalent to $0.418 \text{ A/m}$) from any point on the surface of the package.
• Purpose: Prevents magnetic interference with aircraft navigational equipment and fluxgate compass systems.

2. Cryogenic Liquid Handling Label

• Design: Blue rectangular label depicting a gas cylinder pouring liquid with vapour clouds, accompanied by the text "CRYOGENIC LIQUID - WARNING: ALWAYS KEEP UPRIGHT".
• Application: Required on all packages containing deep-refrigerated liquefied gases (such as UN 1977 Nitrogen, refrigerated liquid, or UN 1003 Oxygen, refrigerated liquid) in addition to the Division 2.2 non-flammable gas primary hazard label.

3. Keep Away from Heat Label

• Design: White or orange rectangular label displaying a black sun symbol over a package with red rays, accompanied by the text "KEEP AWAY FROM HEAT".
• Application: Mandatory for self-reactive substances of Division 4.1 and organic peroxides of Division 5.2 that do not require temperature control but must be protected from direct sunlight, heat sources, and radiant energy.

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Summary of Operational Handling Labels