Hazmat and Outdoor Recreation

Although Summer may almost be over, you may still be spending time outdoors!  Remember, some camping, hiking, or hunting supplies are considered hazardous materials.

Always be aware of the risks associated with these items and consider how to handle them safely. When choosing to ship or sell them, they must be properly classified, packaged, labeled, handled, and stowed for transportation, per the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR, 49 CFR Parts 171-180). To help, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has prepared the "Is Hazardous Matt Hiding Outdoors?" brochure, with shipping and air travel information for common outdoors-related hazmat, and links to additional compliance aid documents.

While this brochure is focused on strike-anywhere matches, DOT-39 single-use propane cylinders, and small arms supplies, these are just a few outdoors-related items that are considered hazmat. Others include:

Fun Activities for Kids of All Ages

Is Hazardous Matt Hiding in Your Activity Book?

It’s never too early to start teaching your children about household hazmat! In this coloring and activity book, Hazardous Matt and Friends are here to help kids learn about household hazardous materials. The book contains coloring pages, a word find, a maze, and more—and best of all, it's free to print and share!

Choose from one of two format options, to best suit your printer. 

Click here for 8.5" x 11” (page-by-page)

Click here for 11 x 17” (centerfold)

School is Back in Full Swing

The FAA conducts outreach through the Science Technology, Engineering, and Math Aviation and Space Education Program (STEM AVSED) to inspire youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in the aerospace industry. Click here FAA STEM AVSED to find out about more educational opportunities and activities.

End of Summer Travel Plans

Have end of summer travel plans? 

Are you unknowingly carrying items in your luggage that pose a danger to the aircraft, to you and your fellow passengers?

We get it, you want to carry everything that you may need on your trip, but just because it fits in your checked or carry-on bag doesn’t mean that it’s allowed or safe...

To learn more click here

*New * Advisory Circular 120-119 Voluntary Safety Management System for Other Regulated Entities Transporting Dangerous Goods by Air

Advisory Circular (AC) 120-119, Voluntary Safety Management System for Other Regulated Entities Transporting Dangerous Goods by Air (dated August 4, 2023) provides information for other regulated entities (e.g., entities storing, packaging, handling, shipping, or performing other functions in support of transporting dangerous goods by air in accordance with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 171-180) choosing to voluntarily implement a Safety Management System (SMS). Accordingly, compliance with the recommendations in this document or with the guidance material discussed in this document does not relieve regulated entities from complying with applicable requirements outlined in the Hazardous Materials Regulations.

FAA Fact SheetsFAA Fact Sheets

Did you know there are over 80 Fact Sheets on the FAA website?  FAA Fact Sheets contain various information about aeronautics on numerous topics. Fact Sheets are frequently used to provide information to industry or the public in concise, straightforward language. They generally contain key safety points, operating instructions, or basic information about a topic depending on the purpose of the fact sheet.  To peruse the list, click on Fact Sheets.

To sign-up, please follow these steps:

1. Sign in on the right
2. Click on My Profile
3. Click on Preferences
4. Select your items from the list.
5. Then, click Submit.

Users will receive email notifications when new documents are added, matching their preferences. Recently added documents are displayed on the DRS homepage matching the selected choices and from the chosen time frame.

Lithium Battery Air Incidents Involving Smoke, Fire or Extreme Heat

Note: These are lithium battery related events involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat that the FAA is aware of and should not be considered a complete listing of all such incidents. The methods of collecting and recording these incidents and the data involved has changed over the life span of this chart as the FAA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has evolved.  The incident summaries included here are intended to be brief and objective. They do not represent all information the FAA has collected, nor do they include all investigative or enforcement action taken. This chart was last updated on August 15, 2023.

PHMSA Emergency Waiver Order #26: Transporting Hazmat in Hawaii

On August 16, 2023, PHMSA posted Emergency Waiver order #26 "Transporting Hazmat in Hawaii".  The order states the following, in part:

"In accordance with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. § 5103(c), the Associate Administrator for the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) hereby declares that an emergency exists that warrants issuance of a Waiver of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to persons conducting operations under the direction of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 9 (75 Hawthorne St. San Francisco, CA, 94105) and United States Coast Guard (USCG), District 14 (300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 9-204, Honolulu, HI, 96850-4982) within the emergency areas of the Hawaii Wildfires in the State of Hawaii. The Waiver is granted to support EPA Region 9 and USCG District 14 in taking appropriate actions to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a threat to public health, welfare, or the environment caused by actual or potential oil and hazardous materials incidents resulting from the Hawaii Wildfires..."

Click here to read the entire emergency  waiver order

Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) 'CALLBACK' Newsletter Highlights

A Casual Look at Helicopter Operations 

This month, CALLBACK shares reports revealing threats, hazards, and lessons learned from helicopter operations. Enjoy the narratives, but also notice their many similarities and occasional subtle differences from fixed wing wisdom.

Read the full newsletter from ASRS here.