B777-200 flight crew reported the Accessible Dangerous Goods (ADG) were incorrectly configured for inspection before air transport. After communicating with ground personnel; the cargo was reconfigured to be in compliance with company procedures and the flight crew were able to properly perform the inspection.
Synopsis
B777-200 flight crew reported the Accessible Dangerous Goods (ADG) were incorrectly configured for inspection before air transport. After communicating with ground personnel; the cargo was reconfigured to be in compliance with company procedures and the flight crew were able to properly perform the inspection.
Narrative
When Dangerous Goods (DG) paperwork was presented; the Accessible Dangerous Goods (ADG) pallet was found to not be in compliance with the FOM. The plastic covering was opaque and we were unable to inspect the DG pallet. We told the DG Agent who proceeded to tell us that they had placed stickers on the outside of the plastic so we could know what HAZMAT was underneath; not in accordance with FOM. We showed the FOM to the DG Agent at which point he called his Supervisor because I would not accept the paperwork. We contacted Dispatch for assistance and Dispatch agreed that per our description; we could not comply with the FOM inspection. The DG Manager; I assumed; came out and told us multiple things to include there was no HAZMAT on the backside of the pallet; an area we could not inspect because of multiple layers of opaque plastic. He proceeded to tear holes in the plastic to expose some of the HAZMAT pieces but we could not inspect in accordance with FOM still. Finally I told the Manager that the position was not in compliance and asked him to come tell me when he decided what he was going to do to get the shipment in compliance to include removing the position. After a while; the DG Agent came to tell us they were ready. I went back to inspect the DG and they had replaced the plastic with clear plastic so we could comply with the FOM. At that point I signed the DG paperwork and the personnel departed the aircraft. We closed up and completed our checks for departure. The entire delay was due to DG not being in compliance. Excuses like this is how we do it or no one said anything before are unacceptable and creates a situation hazardous to the aircraft and crew.Cause: DG personnel used opaque plastic to cover the DG pallet resulting in the FOM inspection criteria to not be met during preflight. DG Agent and Manager made lots of excuses for noncompliance to include what sounded like a lie about what was on included but obscured on the pallet. Suggestions: Can DG personnel need to correctly prepare the pallets before they are loaded on the plane. DG Manager needs to not make excuses or try to circumvent the FOM.
Second reporter narrative
At XA:33 the DG (Dangerous Goods) Specialist informed us the Accessible Dangerous Goods (ADG) was ready for inspection. The pallet was covered with an opaque plastic and overlapped in much of the lower portion of the ADG pallet. This made locating the ADG difficult. The Specialist placed white stickers identifying where some pieces were located. Pressing the plastic tight to the labels below made reading the label possible where the plastic was not overlapped. In overlapped areas; the plastic needed to be moved or torn in order to read labels. I notified the Captain and discussed the inability to comply with a number of the inspection of DG steps from the FOM.The plastic sheeting used either limited or prevented compliance with the above-mentioned steps. Dispatch and the DG Specialist were notified. Dispatch concurred with our assessment. The DG Specialist was initially in disagreement stating that the plastic sheeting was standard operating practice in ZZZZ. The sheeting was eventually replaced with clear plastic and the FOM was able to be complied with. Additional ADG items that had not been marked with white labels were identified in the subsequent flight crew inspection of DG. The delay of 33 minutes was attributed to the crew on the Flight Summary Report which was not accurate.Cause: Non-compliance with policies and procedures.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.