Sun, Jan 10, 2010
More Than 40 Incidents Recorded Since 1991
In its continuing effort to improve
aviation safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Friday
proposed to strengthen safeguards for air shipments of lithium
batteries and cells, including when they are packed with or
contained in equipment. The proposed changes will ensure that
lithium batteries are designed to withstand normal transportation
conditions and that they are packaged to reduce the possibility of
damage that could lead to an unsafe incident.
"Safety is our highest priority, said U.S. Transportation Secretary
LaHood. "This rulemaking is important for the protection of the
traveling public and many of those who work in the aviation
industry. We have to make sure lithium batteries or any other
hazardous materials taken on planes are carried in the safest way
possible. This rule will help us achieve a safer aviation
environment without imposing a ban on the transport of lithium
batteries by air."
Since 1991, more than 40 air transport-related incidents
involving lithium batteries and devices powered by lithium
batteries have been identified.
The Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, in coordination with the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), developed this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
on display today in the Federal Register to comprehensively address
the safe transportation of lithium cells and batteries when being
shipped on aircraft.
In part, DOT proposes to:
- Eliminate regulatory exceptions for small lithium cells and
batteries when included in an air shipment; and require their
transportation as Class 9 materials, meaning they could pose a
hazard when transported;
- Subject packages of small lithium batteries to well-recognized
marking and labeling requirements for hazardous materials;
- Require transport documentation to accompany a shipment of
small lithium batteries, including notifying the pilot in command
of the presence and location of lithium batteries being shipped on
the aircraft;
- Require manufacturers to retain results of satisfactory
completion of United Nations design-type tests for each lithium
cell and battery type;
- Limit stowage of lithium cell and battery shipments aboard
aircraft to cargo locations accessible to the crew or locations
equipped with an FAA-approved fire suppression system, unless
transported in a container approved by the FAA Administrator;
and
- Apply appropriate safety measures for the transport of lithium
cells or batteries identified as being defective for safety
reasons, or those that have been damaged or are otherwise being
returned to the manufacturer, and limit the transportation of
defective or damaged cells or batteries to highway and rail.
-
"Under existing regulations, a flight crew may not be made aware
of a pallet containing thousands of lithium batteries on board the
aircraft, yet a five-pound package of flammable paint or dry ice
would be subject to the full scope of the regulations. That makes
little sense," said House Transportation and Infrastructure
Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN). "This rulemaking protects the safety
of the traveling public and flight crews on board passenger and
cargo aircraft and in ground operations. It ensures that all
lithium batteries will be regulated and addresses the National
Transportation Safety Board's recommendations issued more than a
decade ago. I congratulate the department for this important step
forward."
Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood
"As our Committee has documented, there is more than enough
evidence showing the need to enhance safety standards when shipping
lithium batteries," House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry
Costello (D-IL) said. "The frequency of incidents combined with the
difficulty in extinguishing lithium battery fires warrants taking
strong action. These new regulations proposed by the Department of
Transportation, will enhance safety for passengers, pilots, crews
and our entire transportation system."
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