Volume to Mass Conversion.

In October of 2013, I had written a letter to PHMSA (DOT) requesting an interpretation on how to convert liquid volume to KG Gross.  The Background on why; The FAA had advised me that it is required to use the specific gravity of the liquid to make the conversion of volume to mass for liquids.  UN3082 was one of the UN Numbers which was of concern to me.  Their advice was difficult to comply with, mainly because the specific gravity is not required information on the Shipper's Declaration.

After making a convincing argument and six months of follow up, the DOT/PHMSA issued REF. No.:  13-0203 / 01 May 2014 (Letter of Interpretation) advising that "as an alternative to the use of specific gravity data, a 1:1 conversion ratio where 1 liter is equal to 1 kilogram may be used for the purposes of interpreting the HMR cargo quantity limitations (49 CFR 175.75) expressed in Kilograms."

Great news and a big step forward.  It hasn't been uploaded to the PHMSA Interpretation page yet, but when it is, you will find it here:

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/interps/date

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/portal/site/PHMSA/menuitem.6f23687cf7b00b0f22e4c6962d9c8789/?vgnextoid=5c14295bba776410VgnVCM100000d2c97898RCRD&vgnextchannel=aa8cd3c1af814110VgnVCM1000009ed07898RCRD&vgnextfmt=print

IATA DG Board

Board Elections

Yesterday afternoon, I received word that I was elected to a term on the IATA Dangerous Goods Board.  

This is a great honor for me and I look forward to the work that I will do to advance safety in the transportation of Dangerous Goods by air.  

Well....back to work!  I just wanted to post the news!  

Pack Safe

Pack Safe



The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) are federal transportation safety rules found in 49 CFR, parts 171-180. The FAA enforces the HMR in aviation. Passengers violating the HMR can be fined from $250 to $50,000. Those who intentionally violate the regulations are subject to a criminal penalty of up to $500,000 and/or five years imprisonment. So, it is important to know what items are hazardous materials and whether or not they are allowed in the aircraft cabin or in checked baggage.

Passenger Flights Must Stop Carrying Lithium-Ion Batteries as Cargo - The Daily Beast

Passenger Flights Must Stop Carrying Lithium-Ion Batteries as Cargo - The Daily Beast

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My Two Cents

 True, The fact is that Lithium batteries are not safe, but the concern is not about legally prepared and tendered batteries.  The real problem, particularly in Asia, is with illegally prepared and tendered shipments of batteries or counterfeit batteries.  

If you impose more restrictions to impede shippers from shipping, or you raise the cost, unscrupulous shippers will do so illegally and this is often seen in some parts of the world.  More regulation will be the cause of greater risk as shippers know that actual enforcement is difficult and they will skirt the law to get around the increased costs involved with shipping properly.  

As someone with 25 years of freighter and hazmat experience, I find the argument that the batteries had anything to do with MH370 to be weak.  This article poses one point of view, from one of the extreme viewpoints.  They are dangerous, but so are many other things we allow to be carried on aircraft.  The point is, through proper packaging and preparation, the risk is mitigated.  

Keep it simple, easy to understand and do not compromise safety, the risk is mitigated to its lowest point.