Which Employees Need IATA Dangerous Goods Training?

Did you know that the International Air Transport Association lists safety as its top priority? This airline association, which is commonly referred to as the IATA, handles everything from managing aircraft carbon emissions to preventing accidents. If you are employed by an airline or a shipping company, you've probably heard of it.

But what does the IATA's commitment to safety have to do with your day-to-day life on the job? If you're involved with shipping any materials that are considered hazardous, IATA policies actually govern many aspects of your work life. An IATA dangerous goods training course can provide guidelines for best practices and help you avoid safety breaches and criminal charges.

To learn more about IATA compliance, keep reading below. You'll find out if dangerous goods training is right for you. You'll also learn what to expect from an in-person or online compliance training course.

The Basics of IATA Dangerous Goods Training

The basic goal of IATA training is to create a safe environment for everyone aboard an aircraft where hazardous goods are present. The training also teaches you how to ensure that the aircraft and the surrounding environment are unharmed by the presence of dangerous materials.

IATA training also teaches hazard awareness skills and reviews the responsibilities of individuals in various jobs. This teaches employees how to maintain their own personal safety when working with dangerous goods.

What Does Dangerous Goods Training Entail?

IATA hazardous goods training courses teach employees how to handle and process hazardous goods that are being transported by air. The training includes all the basic information you need in order to stay in compliance with safety regulations.

More specifically, this training teaches students about the responsibilities of shippers and operators. It provides an overview of how you can identify, package, label, and load different types of hazardous goods.

Who Needs IATA Training?

IATA training is required of anyone whose job includes shipping goods by aircraft. Transporting goods via aircraft includes very specific risks. So, this training is highly specialized to focus on the safety of the flight crew and other people aboard the aircraft.

The IATA is an international body. IATA guidelines apply to aircraft shipping protocols all over the world.

Listed below are some of the occupations that tend to require IATA training. Remember, all the following professionals must have some relation to aircraft shipping in order for IATA training to be relevant.

• Shipping staff
• Packing staff
• Loadmasters and load planners
• Airline acceptance staff
• Flight dispatchers
• Flight crew members
• Cabin crew members
• Passenger handling personnel
• Cargo processors
• Ground handling staff
• Security staff
• Postal operators

If you're unsure about your job's IATA requirements, talk to your employer. They should always have you complete training before asking you to handle any hazardous goods. Your employer will face steep daily fines for any training violations.

If your job requires IATA training, you are probably also required to get DOT (Department of Transportation) training. IATA courses are typically considered to be a supplemental component of mandatory DOT courses.

After completing a dangerous goods training course, you can process and handle dangerous goods for 24 months. Once two years have passed you will need to renew your training. You can get recertified by enrolling in another training.

Products Classified as IATA Dangerous Goods

The IATA defines dangerous goods as items or substances that may pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment. These can be divided into several categories, including household items, medical supplies, equipment and tools, radioactive materials, flammable solids and substances, and toxic substances.

In the household items category, refrigerators, flammable camping gases, and breathing apparatuses that contain oxygen are commonly-transported dangerous goods. In the medical supplies category, frozen materials packed in dry ice, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals are all considered hazardous. Electrical equipment, batteries, and scientific instruments are all tools that could contain hazardous materials.

Other dangerous goods that aircrafts commonly transport include alcoholic beverages, dry ice, lighters, and thermometers.

Some hazardous materials are considered so dangerous that airline passengers are forbidden from transporting them. Extra caution should be used when IATA-trained professionals handle these items. This category includes things like fireworks, bleach, and mercury.

Compliance Training

If you're ready to jump into a IATA training course, you have several different options to get started. Online compliance training is a great way to complete your training from the comfort of your home and on your own schedule. If you prefer not to complete your IATA training online or you don't have access to a computer, you can ask your employer about in-person training options.

Many online courses take at least six hours to complete. Keep this in mind before you begin any course, as some of them must be finished in a single sitting. You can browse course offerings online to find one that fits your individual learning style.

Ask your employer about the cost of your IATA training course. If your job requires that you complete online compliance training, it's likely that your employer will cover the cost.

Get IATA Training Today

Now that you have an understanding of what goes into IATA dangerous goods training, you're ready to get started with your certification. Completing your dangerous goods training online is an easy way to quickly gain the knowledge and skills you need to stay safe on the job. Finishing your IATA course will give you peace of mind and allow you to confidently protect yourself and others from potential hazards.

If you're looking for a comprehensive course from a reputable industry leader, check out our courses at Compliance Training Online. We keep all our materials up-to-date and easy to access so that you can quickly and easily get all the information you need.

With more than a decade of experience in all kinds of IATA, HAZMAT, OSHA, and other trainings, we're ready to prepare you for the risks and rewards of your job. Contact us today or browse our website to learn more about our offerings!