EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Company Policy; Manuals; Human Factors
Preparing for departure; I received notification of 8 kg of dry ice. I asked the ramp if that was 8 kg of dry ice only or 8 kg of total weight. The ground crew guy was not positive but needed to check with another guy. The second guy said yes; it was dry ice only. The notification showed total weight 8. The First Officer & myself were both fairly certain it indicates 8 kg of dry ice only. We were about to inspect the box when we received the Cargo Report. It showed 43 lbs on the Dry Ice line. Per the FOM; only the total amount of dry ice in pounds should be on this line. I asked if we had 8 kg or 43 lbs. I was told by the ground crew that (pointing to the Cargo Report) was the amount of dry ice when converted to pounds. I disagreed and said that they are not equal and if we had 43 lbs we would need a new form to reflect this. I asked if by chance there was a mistake and someone put the total weight of the package on this line. I was told a second time that it was dry ice only. I explained that 8 kg=17.6 lbs and proceeded to show this on our conversion tool on the FMS. The ground crew; who appeared to be the supervisor; said okay and scratched out the 43 lbs and wrote 17.6 on the Dry Ice line. I asked where the 43 lbs came from and he said he did not know but would research it. He then said we were good to go. I asked what the weight of the box was and where it was at on the Cargo Report and he said 8 kg/17.6 lbs. I said no that's the amount of dry ice in the box. There was a distinct language barrier and both the ground guy and myself were trying to fully understand each other. He left the flight deck. I looked at the First Officer and asked him to please inspect the box while I contacted Dispatch. I explained what happened; the reason we would be delayed and that the First Officer was inspecting the box. Dispatch said 'they're really not trained in Hazmat' so I could not fault her for not knowing. She said that if I did not feel comfortable; to not take a long delay; leave the package and they'll put it on the next flight. I agreed that without proper paperwork we would not be taking the box. The First officer returned and said that there was indeed 8 kg of dry ice (so the notification form was correct); however; there were two boxes (only one had dry ice) and the total weight was 107 lbs!! Nothing equaled 43 lbs. This was not noted anywhere on the Cargo Report. I immediately went to determine why this was not on the Cargo Report and was told they 'never include (the weight) only the amount of dry ice.' I agreed that on the dry ice line; only dry ice should be on there but the package weight should be noted somewhere else. I told them that all weight; even if it's one pound needs to be noted on the Cargo Report. I was told from a second guy that they 'don't include the weight.'  I added the 107 lbs to the line under Cargo and was comfortable taking it only because the First Officer had verified the weight and the amount of dry ice in the box matched the form. I showed the ground crew where I was noting it and there were no objections. I explained that this is an issue with weight and balance and that the FAA would not be thrilled to learn that weights are missing from the Cargo Load Report (CLR). I thanked them but said I would be filing a report over this. We departed a few minutes late. I believe there was an urgency on the part of the ground personnel to get the flight out on time. Although I try to adhere to this as well; I will not compromise safety in doing so. Yes; we could have simply left the package(s) but that would have likely solved nothing other than an on-time flight. Hazmat is an area that we deal with only on occasion and I'm guessing the same could be said for the ground personnel. I am aware of FOM Hazmat procedures having read it many times so I had no problem questioning the validity of the paperwork and slowing down. This form is new to many of our pilots. Would it be possible to add this to the FOMfor future reference? I cannot tell you the number of people whom I've spoken with that have never seen this before. Proper training for all employees handling this is not only necessary but a requirement. Without training; this will happen again or any other station not familiar with our aircraft. I am most concerned with the lack of concern for the 107 lbs that did not make it on the CLR. How many times has this happened? Did we only discover it because a notification was issued due to the amount of dry ice?
During preflight; Embraer crew discovered a weight discrepancy on the Hazmat cargo form. Discussions with Dispatch and Ramp Supervisor resolved the confusion.