News from Airpack, Inc. and John Gerrish & Associates

Regulations have been published for the new year and changes have been made. In this edition we will give you a heads up on the changes that appear in the new 49 Code of Federal Regulations (49CFR), the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations 52nd Edition, and 2010 IMDG Code 35th Amendment. Also in this edition of the Airpack newsletter you will read of the new requirements for hazmat carriers.

	The New Regulations are rolling out!
Have you gotten your copies yet? Here is a peak at whats new. Changes to the 49CFR Changes to the IMDG Code Changes to IATA 52nd Edition

FedEx Changes

You may have already heard that FedEx has additional variants to their already extensive list of variants when it comes to shipping Dangerous Goods/HAZMAT.

FX-18 As of January 10, 2011, FedEx Express will require all Shipper's Declarations originating in the U.S., excluding all 023 air waybill shipments*, to be prepared using only the following methods:

(a) FedEx approved vendor software application;

(b) preapproved shipper proprietary software; or

To view other FedEx 2011 variations click here.

Hazmat Guru Corner

"The lithium battery mess continues..."

According to the DOT there have been more than 40 air transport-related incidents involving lithium batteries since 1991.

The proposed change by the DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) will require lithium batteries to be stowed in a crew-accessible location except if they are shipped in an FAA-approved container or a Class C cargo compartment. Only batteries with a lithium content of less than 0.3 grams or 3.7 watt-hours would be exempt and these would be subject to stowage restrictions in the aircraft hold.

Currently everyone shipping lithium batteries or lithium batteries in or with equipment are utilizing the exceptions offered in IATA / ICAO packaging instructions under the section II paragraphs. These exceptions are complicated in themselves, but do offer the shipper and forwarder some relief from fully regulated shipments requiring a tested package and dangerous goods declaration.

Many of the packaging experts believe that the FAA will issue something related to packaging that has engineering similar to the (FR) Fire Retardant program for the shipment of Oxygen cylinders and or products.

The new rule making from PHMSA will fully regulate most lithium battery shipments as we currently know and process them. The only shipments that would qualify as" not regulated" would be those batteries that have content of less than 0.3 grams or 3.7 watt-hours.

The rulemaking has yet to be released. The noise and rumors on the street indicate that something will be issued this April or May.

We will be attending the upcoming COSTHA Conference (Council On the Safe Transport of Hazardous Articles) in April 2011. We expect the D.O.T to make an announcement that will provide us with more hopeful insight on this developing subject.

The burden of administrating and processing lithium battery shipments is not going to go away.

Maintain a current IATA / ICAO library and familiarize yourself with the language and vocabulary associated with processing lithium battery shipments.

We will continue to be available for all of our customers that need support when shipping Lithium Batteries. Our mission at Airpack is to promote and support the safety of all shipments in transportation.

Please don't shoot the messenger!!

hunterShootin

Sincerely,

John Gerrish

New Members to the

Airpack and JGA Team

ThomasJersey SandersJersey

Please join us in welcoming Derrick Thomas to the Airpack team. Derrick is in charge of our Hazmat Operations. Originally from Louisiana, Derrick has fifteen years of progressive logistic operations industry background and customer relations with companies such as Exide Technologies & Schwans' Corporation. If you are local, stop in to share with him things to enjoy in Maryland.

Winslow continues to assist with training and consulting for John Gerrish and Associates, LLC, our training company.

Please welcome Gene Sanders, DGSA, our new Hazardous Materials in Transportation Instructor. With over 19 years of extensive exposure working with Dangerous Goods in pharmaceutical, safety supplies, chemical, educational, and clinical trials environments, Gene is knowledgeable in DOT (49CFR), ICAO (A.I.R & IATA), IMO (IMDG), TDG, and ADR.

With degrees in Biochemistry and in Chemistry, and a minor in Microbiology, Gene regularly teaches in depth, detailed courses in Classification, Infectious Substances, and in Clinical Trials, as well as teaching more comprehensive classes involving all aspects of DG shipping, offering, and accepting.

Gene has served on the Board of Directors at DGAC (formerly HMAC), has been Chairman of the Education and Training Committee at DGAC, and is currently a member of both DGAC and COSTHA.

Drivers no longer have to sit in the classroom!!!

Online Hazmat Drivers Training

Aipack Transports

This course meets the requirements for

initial or recertification training.

This online course provides the training required under U.S. Department of Transportation Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (DOT 49CFR), Part 172, Subpart H for transporting non-placarded hazmat shipments. This training is mandatory for any driver transporting hazmat without a CDL (less than 1,001lbs).

Click here to veiw the course description and register.

NOTE: This training does not meet the requirements for a hazmat endorsement on your commercial drivers license (CDL).

Are You Still Hazmat Certified?

Please be aware of when your last hazmat training occured. Recertification is required:

ICAO/IATA/Air - every 24 months
US DOT/49CFR - every 3 years
IMO/Ocean - every 3 years
AFMAN 24-204 - every 24 months

If you previously trained with John Gerrish & Associates, and are not sure please contact Marsha Oliva. She will confirm your prior training date and advise you of your options for recertification.

You may contact her at 410-768-8356 or by email at:

Training@airpack.com

Please see the upcoming training dates below:


2011 Classroom Training Dates Don't forget we also offer ONLINE and ONSITE hazmat training as well.

Don't forget our other services

Airpack provides a complete offering of regulatory, customized packing and crating. We offer competitive pricing, quick turnaround times, immediate pricing availability, and different levels of service according to your needs. More importantly, our staff has over 100 years of combined experience in handling high value and delicate items to ensure their safe arrival.

Hazmat Consulting

The staff at Airpack is highly knowledgeable about the transportation industry and the regulatory requirements pertaining to shipments of hazardous materials. In addition, to our understanding of the regulations and industry requirements, we also have years of hands-on experience packing, documenting, marking and labeling hazardous materials shipments.

We can help your organization maintain compliance with the regulations by providing comprehensive and therapeutic solutions to regulatory responsibilities. Training compliance, packaging compliance, and transportation regulatory compliance auditing are complex and often require a level of expertise that Airpack consultants can provide.

Crating:

crating example-car

All of our crating is in compliance with the ISPM-15 standards, the guidelines for regulating wood packaging material in international trade.

Our 4D Heavyweight box was engineered & designed as a solution for shipping wet-spillable batteries, as well as ammunition by air.

We produce a variety of different crates that conform to our clients needs. Here are a few ways that our crating & engineering sets itself apart from our competitors:

Most of the crates that we manufacture are reusable, we only use screws (no nails), which makes our crates stronger and easy to disassemble & re-assemble
We use high grade lumber
All of our lumber is heat treated
We use 1/2" panel construction versus the norm of 3/8"
Construction decking & cleating always conforms to Mil-Specs
Crating construction and engineering are insured
We also provide engineering and crating off-site

Tank Engine

Mil-Spec:

As an approved Department of Defense packaging organization, Airpack maintains an extensive Mil-Spec library that is current with all military specification packaging requirements (MIL-STD-129, MIL-STD-130 & MIL-STD-2073, just to name a few). Airpack has been working with QARs (Quality Assurance Representatives) of the DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) for over 23 years. You won't need a government QAR because we have one assigned to us.

Mil-Spec Example

We provide the service of packaging your product(s) according to military specification (Mil-Spec) standards. We will even ship the product to its final destination as part of our turnkey solutions.

Commercial Packaging

In packing general cargo, we work with the major packaging chains such as:

·The UPS Store artwork paintin

·Mailboxes, Etc.

·Parcel Plus

·Independent Postal Stores

In addition, we work with:

·General Public

·Art Galleries chandelier

·Museums

·Antique Dealers

·Moving & Storage Companies

·Interior Designers

We also provide Pick-Up & Delivery transportation with our 24' liftgate truck and 16' cargo van.

On-Site Disassembly of Items, Palletizing, and Stretch Wrap.

daveonsite b4nafter

We offer the highest degree of insurance coverage available in the industry, providing full coverage against loss or damage. Our coverage is derived from the underwriting guidelines used by underwriters, loss control and claims specialists, and insurance buyers. So you can be sure your merchandise is in good hands.

Thank you for taking the time to read our Newsletter. Please forward this to anyone that may benefit from any of the information.

Please remember Airpack for all of your crating, packing, and regulatory needs. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

The Staff at Airpack, Inc.

John Gerrish & Associates, LLC