A320 ramp personnel reported a communication breakdown between Ramp and Load Control regarding shipping a category of DG cargo that contained dry ice without proper documentation.

Date: 2023-01 · Aircraft: A320 · Phase: ground

Anomalies: deviation-discrepancy-procedural-hazardous-material-violation|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

A320 ramp personnel reported a communication breakdown between Ramp and Load Control regarding shipping a category of DG cargo that contained dry ice without proper documentation.

Narrative

We were loading Aircraft X to ZZZ. There was a shipment that had missed a previous flight. Since it was a medical shipment I felt it was important to load. [This shipment] does not need DG paperwork unless marked properly. There were 8 boxes and I did not notice a Type 9 corrosive symbol. I went inside to check the DG report for my flight Aircraft X and there were none; so I proceeded to load the [shipment]. I also double-checked the packages a second time to make sure. It was pouring down rain; and I just felt it missed the previous flight. All 8 boxes were 3 lb. each. I was informed by my manager the DG had 35 lb. of dry ice. Once again; every box weighted 3 lb. each.I was sent a message to meet with Person A and to bring a Shop Steward; which was Person B. The next day; I was asked by Person A; the manager; to get a Shop Steward because I had loaded a DG without proper paperwork. I stayed with my story that [the shipment] does not need paperwork; to no avail. There was no picture of the Dangerous Good provided; just my word against his. The event occurred because I felt the medical shipment might save someone's life. If I had known one box was labeled as a DG I would have done the paperwork and given it to the Captain.We tried to explain that [the shipment] does not need a DG paperwork but he was unaware of this. He also said all 8 boxes were DG and 35 lb. of dry ice was on board. The boxes once again weighed 3 lb. each. I also explained how I got back in the front bin and checked twice for a DG label; none seen. The report says I failed to look in the computer for DG paperwork; not true; I went inside and looked there were no DG reports for Aircraft X ZZZ. I did check. [That shipment] needs no paperwork. We asked if there was a photo; there was none.[I suggest] to fully inspect all boxes with a DG Label 9 Corrosive; which is dry ice.

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.