Reporting of dangerous goods incidents could become mandatory

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has called on the freight logistics industry to report all incidents involving undeclared dangerous goods. According to Bheki Ngiba, manager: dangerous goods at the SACAA, this will ultimately improve the overall safety of the supply chain. “We are asking freight forwarders and courier companies to engage with us when there are incidents and accidents involving dangerous goods. This is not to beat with a big stick, but to improve the operating environment and bring about better safety systems.” Ngiba said airlines were legally obligated to report all dangerous goods incidents and accidents. “This is, however, not the case for the rest of the supply chain and we rely on voluntary reporting.” He said often these incidents went unreported

as most feared the backlash of an investigation that could result in the revoking of operating licences, fines or even prosecution. “The fact is that we have to make the system safer. Our call is simply for industry to let the SACAA know if there are issues. That will allow us to investigate and determine where education is required, who the repeat

offenders are or even where the system is failing.” According to Ngiba the organisation would much prefer to partner with industry and work together to address the issue. David Brennan,  assistant director: cargo safety and standards, at the International Air Transport Association (Iata), said the reporting of these incidents was

problematic all over the world. “More often than not what happens is that the forwarder will realise there is a problem with the package and just give it back to the customer, who will just take it to someone else until they find someone willing to move it,” he said. “If they report these incidents it allows improvement of the overall system.” Both Brennan and Ngiba did not rule out the possibility of making the reporting of dangerous goods incidents and accidents mandatory. “At this stage it is voluntary, but there are recommendations on the table that all parties in the supply chain must report incidents and accidents involving dangerous goods to the SACAA.” Ngiba said anyone wanting to report an incident could simply send an email to dangerousgoodsoperations@ caa.co.za