Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation
General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Human Factors
During preflight the aft bulk cargo door was open and I noticed that boxes of lithium batteries were being loaded in the compartment. I climbed up the belt loader to investigate and found multiple boxes of lithium batteries thrown and stacked in the aft bulk cargo. Some of the boxes were damaged and some were upside down. I asked the ramp to stop loading and informed the Captain of the situation. When I informed the ramp this was not a proper storage for lithium batteries he told me it was fine and they were going to tie them down. The ramp then got some twine and were attempting the tie the boxes down with unapproved tie downs; they were using the cargo curtain clam shell holders to anchor the boxes to the floor of the plane. I informed the ramp that twine is not secure enough and why weren't they using a cargo net; again I was told everything is fine. Upon further investigation the boxes of lithium batteries were stacked and thrown on top of two cases of engine oil. After meeting with the crew we agreed this was not safe (there have been multiple aircraft fires involving lithium batteries) and the batteries needed to be removed from the airplane. When I informed the lead ramper to please remove the batteries he began to argue with me saying it was fine and the batteries would be shipped on the plane. After trying multiple times to inform the lead agent this was not safe he took my name down and recorded it trying to intimidate me and force the issue that the batteries were going on the aircraft. The crew agreed if the batteries were on the plane the flight wouldn't depart until they were in a secure container in a proper compartment on the aircraft. The lead ramper finally removed the batteries after multiple conversations and arguments. I understand we haul lithium batteries but they should be properly secured in an approved container in the correct compartment on the aircraft to mitigate all possible fire risks to the crew and aircraft. If those batteries would have caught on fire; sitting on top of two cases of oil and next to two full size main wheel tires I don't know if we would have been able to stop the fire in flight. HKG also stated they have an exemption from having to note lithium batteries on any paperwork to the crew. If I didn't see the ground ops loading lithium batteries on the plane we would have never [have] known they were on board the aircraft.
B747 First Officer reported he noticed ground crew improperly loading lithium batteries in the bulk cargo pit.