12.1 ICAO/IATA Dangerous Goods Classes, NOTOC & Passenger Restrictions

The transport of dangerous goods by air presents unique physiological and operational hazards due to low atmospheric pressure, vibration, temperature variations, and enclosed cabin environments. Under Nig. CARs Part 15 (Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air), which adopts the ICAO Technical Instructions (Doc 9284), commercial air transport operators in Nigeria must comply strictly with the international standards set forth in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Doc 9284) and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

Cabin crew members play a vital front-line role in preventing prohibited dangerous goods from entering the passenger cabin and responding effectively to inflight chemical or lithium battery emergencies. Under Nig. CARs 15.6.1.4, recurrent dangerous goods training must be provided within 24 months of previous training; where it is completed within the final three months of validity, the new period runs from the month of completion until 24 months from the expiry month of the previous training. Nig. CARs 8.10.1.34 separately makes recognition or transportation of dangerous goods one of the five mandatory elements of cabin crew recurrent ground training every 12 calendar months.

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1. Classification of the 9 ICAO/IATA Dangerous Goods Classes

Dangerous goods are classified into 9 hazard classes based on their physical, chemical, and toxicological properties. Some classes are further subdivided into specific divisions reflecting the precise nature of the hazard.

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2. Notification to Captain (NOTOC)

When dangerous goods are accepted for carriage in the lower deck cargo compartments or main deck cargo holds of an aircraft, civil aviation regulations mandate that the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) must be formally notified prior to departure.

Mandatory NOTOC Documentation

The Notification to Captain (NOTOC) is a standardized written document generated by ground handling agents and flight operations staff. Under the Technical Instructions adopted by Nig. CARs Part 15, the NOTOC must be delivered to the Captain at the flight planning stage and signed prior to pushback.

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| MANDATORY INFORMATION REQUIRED ON A NOTOC                                |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1. UN or ID Number (e.g., UN 1845, UN 3481)                             |
| 2. Proper Shipping Name (PSN) (e.g., Carbon Dioxide, Solid / Dry Ice)   |
| 3. Class or Division & Subsidiary Risks (e.g., Class 9)                 |
| 4. Packing Group (PG I = High Danger, PG II = Medium, PG III = Low)     |
| 5. Quantity & Net Weight per Package (e.g., 15 kg per fiberboard box)   |
| 6. Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) or Passenger Aircraft compatibility         |
| 7. Loading Location (e.g., FWD CPT ULD Position 11L)                    |
| 8. Emergency Response Drill Code (ICAO Red Book / ERG Code e.g., 10L)  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Pilot & Cabin Crew Coordination

Upon receiving the NOTOC, the Captain reviews the cargo locations and emergency drill codes. The Captain must brief the Lead Cabin Crew (Purser) regarding:

• The presence and loading location of high-hazard dangerous goods on board.
• Specific cabin considerations (e.g., temperature sensitivity or off-gassing risks).
• Emergency drill procedures in the event of an inflight emergency or diversion.

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3. Hidden Dangerous Goods Recognition in Passenger Baggage

Passengers frequently attempt to carry dangerous goods without realizing that everyday household items pose severe flight safety hazards. Cabin crew must remain vigilant during passenger boarding, overhead bin management, and cabin surveillance to identify hidden dangerous goods.

Common Indicators & Suspicious Items

• Unmarked Boxes or Wooden Crates: May contain industrial tools, adhesives, solvents, or wet-cell lead-acid batteries.
• Camping & Outdoor Gear: Frequently contains flammable liquid fuel, camp stoves with residual fuel, butane gas canisters, strike-anywhere matches, or waterproof flare kits.
• Medical Equipment & Supplies: May contain concentrated liquid oxygen cylinders, chemical oxygen generators, or uncertified medical lithium battery packs.
• Diving Equipment: High-intensity underwater diving lamps generate extreme heat when switched on inadvertently in dry air; compressed air breathing tanks must be completely depressurized (valve open) prior to carriage.
• Automotive & Machinery Parts: May contain residual fuel, oil, wet-cell batteries, corrosive degreasers, or flammable aerosol paint cans.
• Hunting & Sporting Goods: May hide small arms ammunition, black powder, gun cleaning solvents, or pyrotechnic flares.

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4. Passenger Baggage Allowances, Restrictions & Prohibitions

To ensure passenger convenience while maintaining strict flight safety, ICAO and IATA establish clear categories for items that are completely prohibited versus those permitted under specific conditions.

A. Absolutely Prohibited Items (Cabin & Checked Baggage)

• Fireworks, signal flares, party poppers, and toy caps.
• Strike-anywhere matches and lighter fuel refills.
• Tear gas canisters, pepper sprays, and self-defense sprays containing oleoresin capsicum.
• Liquid oxygen systems and chemical oxygen generators.
• Corrosive drain cleaners, liquid bleach, and strong acids.

B. Medicinal & Toiletries Allowance

Non-radioactive medicinal items and toilet articles (hairsprays, perfumes, colognes, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, aerosol deodorants) are permitted in cabin and checked baggage under strict quantitative caps:

• Individual Container Limit: Net quantity of each single item must not exceed 0.5 kg (500 ml).
• Aggregate Passenger Limit: Total net quantity of all such articles carried by a single passenger must not exceed 2.0 kg (2,000 ml).
• Aerosol Protection: Release valves on aerosol cans must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent discharge.

C. Lithium Battery Regulations (Carry-On vs. Checked Baggage)

Lithium-metal (non-rechargeable) and lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries present a severe risk of thermal runaway—an uncontrollable self-heating chain reaction causing intense fires and explosions.

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REGULATORY LITHIUM BATTERY RULES (Nig. CARs Part 15 / ICAO TI)          |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1. CARRY-ON BAGGAGE ONLY: Spare lithium batteries & power banks MUST   |
|    be carried in the cabin. PROHIBITED in checked baggage!              |
| 2. Standard Capacity (≤ 100 Wh): Smartphones, laptops, standard power  |
|    banks. Permitted in carry-on baggage without operator approval.       |
| 3. Extended Capacity (100 Wh to 160 Wh): Professional video cameras,     |
|    portable medical equipment. Permitted ONLY WITH OPERATOR APPROVAL    |
|    (maximum 2 spare batteries per passenger).                           |
| 4. Prohibited Capacity (> 160 Wh): Strictly forbidden on passenger      |
|    commercial aircraft.                                                 |
| 5. Short-Circuit Protection: Each spare battery must be individually     |
|    insulated (original retail packaging, taped terminals, or pouch).    |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

D. Dry Ice (Solid Carbon Dioxide - UN 1845)

Permitted in carry-on or checked baggage when used as a refrigerant for non-dangerous perishables (e.g., fresh meat, organs, caviar):

• Maximum quantity of 2.5 kg per passenger.
• The packaging must permit the release of carbon dioxide gas to prevent pressure buildup and explosion.
• Checked baggage containing Dry Ice must be labeled "Dry Ice" or "Carbon Dioxide, Solid" with the net weight declared.

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5. Emergency Response to Cabin Dangerous Goods Spills & Fires

If a dangerous goods chemical spill, toxic leak, or lithium battery thermal runaway occurs inside the passenger cabin during flight, cabin crew must execute immediate emergency response procedures.

Step-by-Step Cabin Crew DG Incident Protocol

1. Notify Flight Deck Immediately: Alert the Pilot-in-Command via interphone with precise details: exact cabin location, odor, smoke density, color, passenger physical symptoms, and container markings.
2. Don Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Don Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) to prevent inhalation of toxic fumes, and wear flame-resistant firefighting gloves.
3. Isolate Area & Relocate Passengers: Move passengers at least 2 to 3 seat rows away from the affected area. Shut off individual gasper air outlets around the spill to prevent chemical vapor recirculation.
4. Firefighting & Cooling Protocol:
   • For Chemical/Liquid Fires: Discharge Halon 1211 extinguisher at the base of the fire.
   • For Lithium Battery Thermal Runaway: First, discharge Halon 1211 to extinguish open flames. Second, douse the battery continuously with WATER or non-alcoholic liquids (soda, juices) to cool the battery cells and stop thermal runaway propagation. Never use ice, dry chemical powder, or blankets to cover a burning lithium battery, as insulation trapping heat will exacerbate thermal runaway.
5. Containment & Hazard Cleanup: Place the leaking item or cooled battery into a heavy-duty plastic biohazard bag or waste bin using fire-fighting gloves; seal securely; wrap in absorbent material or wet towels.
6. Post-Incident Monitoring & Reporting: Monitor the containment site continuously until landing. Log the incident in the Cabin Logbook and file an official NCAA Dangerous Goods Incident Report within 24 hours.