Limited Quantities by Air (IATA)

Anyone having a job function which could in any way affect the safe transportation of dangerous goods, by any mode of transportation, is required by Federal and international regulations to undergo appropriate training. The regulations for shipping dangerous goods by aircraft are particularly stringent, as a hazardous materials incident occurring in the air can potentially develop into a far more serious incident than if being transported by ground or vessel.

In an effort to prevent incidents and accidents from occurring, hazmat employees involved in the air transport of hazardous materials in limited quantities must comply with strict limited quantities hazmat regulations for the classification, identification, packing, marking and labeling, documentation, placarding, and segregation of hazardous materials. They must know which types of dangerous goods are outright forbidden from being transported on an aircraft, and those that are only allowed under certain conditions and in certain quantities.

Where authorized, the limited quantities hazmat provisions of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations provide an alternative method of shipping specific small quantities of certain substances, allowing for the use of packagings that are less stringently tested than those required for larger quantities. Because of this, the Limited Quantities provisions, if chosen to be used, provide significant cost savings to shippers while ensuring their shipments maintain compliance with those regulatory requirements that remain applicable.

Hazmat University’s Transport of Limited Quantities by Air training provides initial or recurrent limited quantities hazmat training to participants involved with the shipping, handling, and/or transport of dangerous goods in limited quantities by air. It may be completed as a standalone course by those involved with air transport of dangerous goods in limited quantities only, or it may be completed as a supplement to a more comprehensive training in the transport of dangerous goods by air, in order to enhance function-specific knowledge regarding limited quantities. This limited quantities hazmat course is based on the requirements outlined in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions as contained in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR). Additionally, this course complies with the initial and/or recurrent training requirements of 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart H, Section 172.704 and the IATA DGR for transportation of Limited Quantities by air.

Included in this course at no additional cost are General Awareness and Security Awareness.

Employees who have undergone initial or recurrent limited quantities hazmat training in the past are required by law to undergo recurrent training at least once every two years in accordance with the international air regulations, as permitted by 49 CFR.

Course Objectives

At the end of this limited quantities hazmat course, participants should be able to:

• Understand the requirements for limited quantities hazmat training as required by the appropriate national and/or international authorities
• Properly classify or understand the classification requirements of substances and articles to the appropriate hazard class
• Assign or verify the assignment of substances and articles to an appropriate identification name and associated UN number
• Select or verify the correct packaging for the dangerous goods being shipped and understand applicable packing requirements
• Select or apply the correct marks and labels for the material being shipped
• Accurately complete or verify the shipping paper requirements for the transport of dangerous goods in limited quantities by air and the applicable requirements for an air waybill
• Understand the requirements for security, safety, and emergency response information as they relate to shipments of dangerous goods in limited quantities by air as required by the appropriate national and/or international authorities
• Understand the rules and procedures to be followed for segregation of incompatible dangerous goods
• Download and print a certificate of training upon successful completion of the course

Additional information regarding U.S. Hazardous Materials Training requirements can be found at: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/

Regulatory Manuals

• International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) - 65th Edition
• Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) - Electronic Version is available at https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/hazardous-materials-regulations  
  • Printed version is optional.

You will need to have access to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Manual both for reference purposes in your day to day shipping operations, and while taking this course.  It can be purchased as a book or digital download from Air Sea Containers.

Primary Audience of Limited Quantities Hazmat Training

This limited quantities hazmat course is intended for shippers, freight forwarders, and hazmat employees involved in the handling, shipping, and/or transport of dangerous goods in Limited Quantities by air.

This limited quantities training may also be applicable to personnel of Federal departments and agencies, such as government contractors, military armed forces personnel, and civilian subcontractors that are involved in shipping and transporting hazardous materials.

Are you a shipper, freight forwarder, or hazmat employee? Still have questions about limited quantities hazmat training? CLICK HERE to view Hazmat University’s FREE Online Training Guide.