IATA Training: How to Determine Staff Needs

With the day-to-day rush of keeping packages moving and meeting customer needs, it can be tempting to put off IATA Hazmat training while you focus on other priorities. IATA has a goal of preventing improperly packaged and labeled goods from making it onto an airplane, and so should you.

As tempting as it may be to skip it, proper training does more than help you to avoid fines. Hazmat training should be an important priority and you should devote the right resources and attention to ensure that your procedures are safe. Neither you nor your employees should ever consider training a ‘filler” activity used to fill slow time.

The first step in proper training is identifying the specific materials you handle and the conditions under which you ship them. IATA publishes a list of training courses and subject areas on their website so you can match the list of offerings to your specific situation.

In addition to selecting employees for IATA training, you should document your procedures for handling each of the hazardous materials that you work with or ship. Your documented procedures should include receiving, handling, testing and storage steps and any authorizations or sign offs required to move materials. You should also document specific packaging and labeling requirements, as well as safety and protective equipment required. If you don’t already have them ready, this information will be necessary to complete your MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) forms.

You should include a procedure for updating the process documentation and information such as contact lists, safety officer training, the location of first aid kits and other information that can change as time passes.

Once you are certain that you have identified all the hazardous materials you will be handling, it’s time to develop your training program. Decide on a training approach. Will you “train the trainer” by having a handful of well-trained individuals who train their fellow employees, or do you prefer that every employee take training from IATA? Then decide who will take the training, and how often they will need to repeat the training. IATA offers many courses both online or in a classroom environment, so decide which option works best for you.

In addition to the IATA training, you will need to add training that is specific for your company as well.

The company specific aspects should include:

• Locations of first aid, safety and protective equipment


• Evacuation and containment procedures


• How to contact company officials


• When and how to activate local emergency services


• Required tests


• Required documentation

Whether you train your employees twice a year, quarterly or annually, ensure you review your safety procedures before the start of each training cycle so that you can incorporate any updates so employees have the latest safety information available.

Part of the company-specific training should also include the location of your MSDS forms, and a refresher on proper packaging and labeling. You also need to ensure that you have plenty of UN packaging for transporting hazardous materials, and that you have 4GV variation packaging available for small quantities or exceptions.

Employees need to be able to recognize the right packaging and labeling for hazardous substance, or to have a reference such as the MSDS sheet and company procedures handy. Fines for improperly packed or labeled substances can be expensive, so you will want to be sure you have taken every possible step to prevent a mishap. By keeping your procedures up to date, keeping your training current, and stocking the right UN approved packing and labeling materials, you can avoid accidents.