Dangerous goods refer to specific classes of hazardous materials that are transported by air, rail, truck and ship. Every year, the transportation industry is responsible for billions of dollars of dangerous goods and ensuring they’re packaged, shipped and delivered according to national guidelines and international regulations.
One of the main regulating bodies for the world’s air transportation is the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The IATA enforces regulations and issues certifications that make air travel safer for all. According to their data, the top dangerous goods transported by far are lithium batteries, dry ice and flammable liquids.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Flammable Liquids
- Dry Ice
- Lithium Batteries
- How Are Hazardous Materials Labelled?
- Enroll at Hazmat School to Learn More
1. Flammable Liquids
According to the United States Department of Transportation, flammable liquids make up more than 80% of all hazardous materials being transported. This makes sense when you consider the amount of oil and gasoline dispersed around the world every day.
2. Dry Ice
Dry ice is the most common material used for long-term temperature regulation. It has been the trusted source for keeping pharmaceuticals, perishables and sensitive materials cold as they travel across the globe. While this Class 9 material is not generally transported itself, it supports millions of packages every year, earning its spot on this list.
3. Lithium Batteries
Most of us interact with lithium batteries every day. They’re in our phones, computers and electronics, but a vast majority of them come from countries in Asia. Air travel is the most efficient distribution method for large quantities, placing this Class 9 material near the top of the list.
How Are Hazardous Materials Labelled?
Every hazardous material receives a specified label throughout shipment to inform handlers that the packages they’re working with need special care. These labels range from Class 1 to Class 9 and explain whether the material is flammable, temperature controlled or otherwise notable.
Furthermore, regulations like Canada’s 1992 Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and the United Nations’ dangerous goods numbers may require more detailed information depending on the package’s source, travel path and destination.
Enroll at Hazmat School to Learn More
Whether you work with dangerous goods in the United States, Canada or anywhere else in the world, your hazardous materials are subject to IATA regulations. Most airlines will require any organization or individual they work with to have IATA certification in Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). If that’s the case for you, our DGR training program will prepare you to handle hazardous materials responsibly.
In just a few hours of self-paced learning, you can be ready to apply for IATA certification and open up new possibilities in your career. Enroll in the course today or connect with us to learn more about our Hazmat-focused learning opportunities.
Manages Hazmat School’s E-Learning courses and blog. Kirstie has extensive experience in the online training and education industry. Kirstie has worked with courses that offer a variety of safety and environmental certifications that satisfy OSHA, EPA and DOT requirements.
