Cargo screener crisis looms

The required training for
cargo screeners in this
country is totally inadequate,
and leaves a critical gap in
SA’s air cargo security chain,
according to Bob Garbett,
MD of Professional Risk
and Asset Management, and
a recognised authority on
training in the industry.
“The cargo security
screener fills a vital key post
in the air cargo industry,”
he told FTW, “and must be
serviced by highly skilled
personnel of particular
character.
“But they presently
require totally inadequate
training in terms of the Part
110 regulations, and this is
a very serious flaw in our
security chain.”
This missing link in the
chain has been highlighted
in urgent correspondence
with the SA Civil Aviation
Authority (SACAA), but has
not been dealt with to date.
“In reply to a letter
received late in June from
the acting director of the
SACAA regarding this
situation,” Garbett added,
“we sent a lengthy reply in
the middle of July, pointing
out that this was a very
serious problem.
“But, I must very sadly
report that we still have
not reached a satisfactory
conclusion with the SACAA
regarding the Part 110
screener certification.”
Just to confuse the issue,
another serious complication
has raised its head,
according to Garbett. This
is a clause in the aviation
regulations that would see
cargo screeners who haven’t
before now passed the Part
110 training – no matter how
inadequate it is deemed to be
– being unable to continue in
that post.
“In terms of Part 130 of
the new Aviation Act,” he
said, “exemptions may only
be given for a maximum
of 360 days. Therefore, the
exception in respect of cargo
screeners will expire right
now (mid-September).”
Where does that leave
those air cargo companies
that employ cargo screeners
not qualified under Part 110?
“We have asked the
SACAA for an answer
urgently,” Garbett replied.
“But we also suggest to
these companies that – if
your cargo screeners are
not qualified under Part
110 – you either introduce
an alternative screening
method or take advice from
your liability insurance
underwriters as to whether
you can continue making
cargo ‘known’ under these
circumstances.”