Find the Dangerous Goods Labels Game

Flammable liquids

Flammable liquids are substances that can ignite easily and burn rapidly. In an airport setting, they are considered dangerous goods and are strictly regulated due to the high risk they pose to passengers, staff, and aircraft operations.

Where Flammable Liquids Are Found at Airports:

• Aircraft fuel (e.g., aviation gasoline (AVGAS), jet fuel) stored in bulk at fuel farms or transported via fuel trucks.
• Maintenance areas, where solvents, degreasers, and cleaning agents may contain flammable components.
• Cargo terminals, where flammable liquids may be shipped as part of commercial goods.
• Passenger baggage, where items like perfumes, nail polish remover, or lighter fluid may be present in small quantities.

Safety and Handling:

• Flammable liquids must be clearly labelled with hazard symbols.
• They are stored in approved containers and kept away from ignition sources.
• Staff are trained in fire safety protocols, including spill response and fire suppression.
• Restricted items policies prevent passengers from carrying large quantities in luggage.

Class 1.4S Explosive

Class 1.4S explosives are a subcategory of hazardous materials defined by the UN classification system for dangerous goods. The “1” refers to explosives, while “4S” indicates that the item presents a minor explosion hazard and is unlikely to cause significant damage if accidentally ignited. The “S” specifically means the explosive is packaged in a way that prevents mass explosion.

Where Class 1.4S Explosives May Be Found at Airports:

• Cargo terminals: These items may be shipped under strict regulations, such as signal cartridges, emergency flares, or small pyrotechnics used in aviation safety equipment.
• Aircraft safety systems: Some aircraft may carry 1.4S items like fireworks for distress signalling or explosive bolts used in emergency systems.
• Military or government transport: Airports handling defence-related logistics may encounter 1.4S materials.

Safety and Handling:

• Must be clearly labelled with the orange Class 1.4S hazard symbol.
• Require special documentation and handling procedures under ICAO and IATA regulations.
• Stored in secure, designated areas away from ignition sources.
• Staff must be trained in emergency response and hazard recognition.

Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances

Class 9 dangerous goods include miscellaneous hazardous materials that don’t fall into other specific classes but still pose a risk during air transport. These items are common in both passenger and cargo operations at airports and are regulated under ICAO and IATA guidelines.

Examples Found at Airports:

• Lithium batteries (used in electronics, cargo, and aircraft systems)
• Dry ice (used to keep perishable cargo cool)
• Magnetised materials (like aircraft instruments or medical equipment)
• Environmentally hazardous substances (e.g., certain chemicals or cleaning agents)
• First aid kits or life-saving appliances with small gas cartridges

Airport Relevance:

• Passenger baggage screening: Items like power banks or e-cigarettes must be declared and carried in hand luggage.
• Cargo handling: Class 9 items must be properly labelled, packaged, and documented.
• Aircraft maintenance: Some tools or materials used in servicing aircraft may fall under this category.
• Training: Airport staff must be trained to recognize Class 9 labels and understand handling procedures.

Labelling: Class 9 items are marked with a black and white striped hazard label and require special documentation for air transport.

Standard DGLQ (Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities) Label for Road and Maritime

The standard DGLQ (Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities) label for road and maritime transport is a black and white diamond-shaped mark used to indicate that the package contains hazardous materials in limited quantities, which are subject to relaxed transport regulations.

Examples found at airports:

• Multimodal Shipments: Packages marked with the DGLQ label can travel by road to an airport, then by air, provided they meet the packaging and marking requirements of both modes.
• Common Goods:
  • Lithium batteries in limited quantities
  • Dry ice used for biological samples
  • Consumer commodities like aerosols or cleaning agents

Marking Requirements:

• UN number (optional for road/maritime)
• Shipper/consignee details (recommended)
• Overpack marking if multiple packages are bundled

Airport Relevance:

• Air Mode Label: If the package is destined for air transport, the DGLQ label must include a “Y” inside the diamond.
• Warehouse Signage: Airports often use posters and signage to reinforce DGLQ handling protocols in cargo areas

Non-Flammable Gas Class 2

A non-flammable gas is classified under Class 2.2 in the dangerous goods system. These gases do not ignite easily but may still pose risks due to pressure, asphyxiation, or chemical reactivity.

Examples found at airports:

• Liquid Nitrogen
  • Used for transporting biological samples, vaccines, and temperature-sensitive cargo.
  • Often found in cryogenic containers in airport cargo terminals.
• Carbon Dioxide
  • Used in dry ice form for cooling perishable goods.
  • Common in catering services and pharmaceutical logistics.
• Helium
  • Used for inflating weather balloons or in scientific equipment.
  • Sometimes used in airport maintenance or calibration tools.
• Compressed Air
  • Used in aircraft maintenance and ground support equipment.
  • Found in portable air tanks or pneumatic tools.
• Refrigerant Gases
  • Used in airport HVAC systems and refrigerated cargo containers.
  • Transported in pressurized cylinders.

Airport relevance:

• Medical and laboratory supplies
• Aircraft maintenance equipment
• Food preservation (e.g., CO₂ for dry ice)
• Cryogenic transport (e.g., liquid nitrogen)

Environmentally hazardous Substance

These are materials that can cause harm to the environment, particularly aquatic ecosystems. They can also pose a significant risk to the environment including soil contamination, water pollution, air quality degradation and harm to wildlife.

Examples found at airports:

• Jet fuel and lubricants
• De-icing chemicals
• Cleaning agents
• Cargo containing regulated substances

Airport relevance:

Airports are complex hubs where hazardous substances may be:

• Stored (e.g. fuel farms, maintenance hangars)
• Transported (e.g. cargo shipments)
• Used (e.g. aircraft de-icing, cleaning agents)
• Disposed (e.g. waste from aircraft or ground operations)

Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO)

The Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) label is a crucial marking for transporting hazardous materials by air. It indicates that certain packages containing dangerous goods are prohibited from being loaded onto passenger aircraft and must be transported only on cargo aircraft.

Examples found at an airport:

• Ethylene oxide and tetrafluoroethene mixture
  • Allowed up to 75 kg on passenger aircraft
  • Allowed up to 150 kg on cargo aircraft
  • If shipped above 75 kg, CAO label is required
• Insecticide gas, n.o.s. (Not Otherwise Specified)
  • Same packing instruction for both aircraft types
  • Different quantity limits: CAO label required if exceeding passenger aircraft limits
• Acetaldehyde ammonia
  • Same PI and quantity limits for both aircraft types
  • CAO label not allowed in this case
• Aviation regulated liquid, n.o.s (Not Otherwise Specified)
  • Same PI and quantity limits for both aircraft types
  • CAO label not permitted
• Calcium oxide
  • If shipped in quantities exceeding 25 kg per package, must be labelled CAO and follow cargo-only packing instructions

Airport relevance:

• Transport Restrictions:
  • Must be shipped under strict IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
  • Often labelled Cargo Aircraft Only due to quantity and hazard level
• Packaging Requirements:
  • UN-approved containers
  • Hazard Class 2.1 (Flammable Gas)
  • CAO label if exceeding passenger aircraft limits