MODULE 5 || Identification Of Dangerous Goods
Proper Shipping Name
This module is designed to provide a brief insight into how shippers identify a Dangerous Good that they intend to transport by air as cargo / freight.
First a shipper must have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that classifies the specific Dangerous Good they intend to transport. From module 2, you may remember that a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) will include detailed information on the procedures to be adopted in the event of an emergency - among other information. A specific Proper Shipping Name and UN Number unique to the Dangerous Good will also be included.
Dangerous Goods must be assigned to one of the proper shipping names (PSN) listed in Table 4.2 - List of Dangerous Goods within the IATA DGR. These are commonly known as the "blue pages" and examples will be provided on pages 2 and 3 of this Module. There are approximately 3000 proper shipping names listed in the blue pages, and they all have a United Nation (UN) number or identification (ID) number. UN numbers range from zero to 8000. In some cases where a UN number has not been assigned, a temporary ID number in the 8000 series is allocated until a UN number is assigned.
With the specific UN Number identified, the shipper must then access the IATA DGR "blue pages" and determine if and how it is possible to be transported.
Examples of Proper Shipping Names and corresponding UN numbers:
| UN or ID number | Proper Shipping Name (PSN) |
| UN 1494 | Sodium Bromate |
| UN 1294 | Toluene |
Note: If you suspect anyone is transporting a Dangerous Good, remember it is the passenger or shipper's responsibility to prove to you that the item in question is safe to travel.
List of Dangerous Goods
Blue pages
When shipping articles or substances other than Class 7 Radioactive a shipper must refer to the list of Dangerous Goods within the IATA DGR, also known as the "blue pages". An example of the "blue pages" is covered in details on the next page.
The "blue pages" list all proper shipping names is in alphabetical order, and provides the following information:
- The class and/or division
- Subsidiary hazard (if applicable)
- Hazard labels (if applicable)
- Whether the dangerous good is forbidden for air transport
- Maximum quantity permitted per package for both passenger and cargo aircraft (if applicable)
- Packing instruction numbers
- Any special provisions (if applicable)
- Emergency response guidance for flight crews
Not Otherwise Specified Name (n.o.s.)
Shippers may at some stage find themselves with a substance that is not listed in the blue pages of the IATA DGR. These substances must be classified, based upon their characteristics. This is a generic entry or “not otherwise specified” (n.o.s) name.
An Example of a n.o.s descriptive name would be; Flammable liquid, corrosive n.o.s (Ethanol, Ferric chloride solution)
NOTE: When a “not otherwise specified” name is identified in the blue pages, followed by an asterisk (*), it is mandatory to replace the asterisk with the technical or chemical group names in brackets. It is mandatory to also include the technical or chemical names when required on the Notice to Captain (NOTOC).
More instruction on completing the NOTOC is covered in Modules 9 and 10.
