Dangerous Goods Operations Manual Information
A certificate holder's Dangerous Goods (aka Hazardous Materials) Operations and Training program constitutes the foundation for safely transporting dangerous goods by air. Improperly prepared and mismanaged dangerous goods can increase the risks to passengers, crew, aircraft, property, and environment. Mitigation of the hazards and risks posed by these materials are best addressed by individual certificate holder within the context of their own systems.
On December 13, 2017, Advisory Circular 121-40-14 CFR Part 121 and Part 135 Dangerous Goods Transportation Operations was published. The Advisory Circular provides certificate holders with recommended content for a dangerous goods training program and manual, designed to guide and manage dangerous goods operations. The Advisory Circular is based on existing requirements. The intent of the Advisory Circular is to provide guidance to assist certificate holders in designing and implementing a dangerous goods program to include managing the risks entering the aviation system from declared and undeclared dangerous goods.
It provides guidance for all Part 119 certificate holders, operating in accordance with Part 121 or Part 135 under operations specifications (OpSpec), to carry dangerous goods (will-carry), prohibiting the transport of dangerous goods (will-not-carry) and/or authorized to transport passengers and their baggage. Specifically, the Advisory Circular sets forth suggestions for establishing a comprehensive dangerous goods training program and manual, regardless of the certificate holder's OpSpec.
Manuals Review Process (Part 121,135, 133)
The Hazardous Materials Safety Program (HMSP) has a standardized process for reviewing manuals containing Dangerous Goods Operations content and Training Programs nationwide. Hazardous Materials Principle Inspectors (HMPIs) or designees, are responsible for reviewing manuals containing Dangerous Goods Operations content and Training Programs, in coordination with FAA Flight Standards (AFS) Principal Operations Inspectors (POIs). Certificate holders will submit revisions to Manuals or Training Programs to their POI for acceptance or approval, as applicable. The POI for the certificate holder will request a review of any Dangerous Goods Operations content and Training Program material through the HMSP manual review office. Manuals generally take 30 business days to review. Once the HMSP review process is complete, the POI will receive a recommendation for approval/acceptance or recommendations for regulatory or content changes needed to bring the submitted material into compliance with regulatory requirements. The POI will then return the submitted material to the certificate holder after performing their own review.