Narrative:

We received a dangerous goods document via ACARS printer at XA21; approximately 19 minutes prior to pushback. The dg message indicated two items; item 1 was 12 pounds of miscellaneous dangerous goods (safety devices). Item 2 was listed as 9 pounds of explosives; named pyrotechnic devices. Both of the items were loaded in the aft cargo compartment. The explosives/ pyrotechnic devices caught my attention; so I inquired of one of the ground staff to determine the nature of this item. While I was waiting for a reply; I called dispatch via satcom and articulated my concern about the dangerous goods. The ground staff told me that the explosive devices were airbag initiators; and from the dg form; I could see that there were 84 pieces with a total weight of 9 pounds. The dispatcher was still consulting with load planning (I presume); when I told him that the explosives were airbag initiators.we were prepared to accept the cargo; as documented; but the dispatcher indicated that he was investigating whether the lithium batteries were loaded in the same cargo compartment. This is the first; and only; indication that we were even carrying lithium batteries. The dispatcher informed us that we were; in fact; carrying lithium batteries in both the forward and aft cargo compartments. He was checking to see whether it was acceptable to load lithium batteries in the same compartment where explosive material was also loaded. We delayed our push back; and waited for an answer.at XB19; the dispatcher indicated; 'the ones in the aft pit (per load planning) are next to the initiators and are good to be that way'. He also inquired whether I wanted them moved; and to let him and the station know of my decision. I told him and the station that we wanted the lithium batteries off the plane. He indicated that the batteries in the forward pit were on a pallet; but the batteries in the aft pit were not. We chose to have the batteries removed from the aft pit; and informed the dispatcher and ground staff of our decision.the delay continued as it took some time for ramp personnel to off-load the lithium batteries from the aft cargo compartment. We had no idea how much; or how many there were; as we had no documentation. Once the batteries were removed from the aft pit; we were ready to leave. Just prior to push back; the station indicated that the lithium batteries in the forward pit were mislabeled. Apparently there were no batteries at station 22; only 'cargo'. The station advised that they were unable to reconcile the cargo figures with hazmat coded as such; therefore it had to be off-loaded.the delay was nearly two hours. What concerns me was that we were never informed of the lithium batteries. When we received our final weight and balance figures; our zero fuel weight had dropped by nearly 10;000 pounds. Clearly someone did not follow company procedures because we had dangerous goods improperly labeled; documented; and loaded on the airplane. Had I not inquired of the dg form; we would have pushed back and left (unwittingly) with this cargo load. We are repeatedly told in training modules that company cargo specialists are specifically trained; and that we can accept dg shipments without concern. This event leaves me wondering whether this applies to third-party cargo handlers as well.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B767 Captain refused aft cargo compartment loose package lithium ion batteries because they were loaded near airbag pyrotechnic initiators. Before departure the forward cargo 'lithium batteries' were thought to mislabeled and subsequently removed. Total 'battery' cargo weight removed was 10;000 pounds. Dangerous goods cargo should be suspect because of faulty labeling and documentation.

Narrative: We received a dangerous goods document via ACARS printer at XA21; approximately 19 minutes prior to pushback. The DG message indicated two items; item 1 was 12 pounds of miscellaneous dangerous goods (safety devices). Item 2 was listed as 9 pounds of explosives; named pyrotechnic devices. Both of the items were loaded in the aft cargo compartment. The explosives/ pyrotechnic devices caught my attention; so I inquired of one of the ground staff to determine the nature of this item. While I was waiting for a reply; I called dispatch via SATCOM and articulated my concern about the dangerous goods. The ground staff told me that the explosive devices were airbag initiators; and from the DG form; I could see that there were 84 pieces with a total weight of 9 pounds. The dispatcher was still consulting with load planning (I presume); when I told him that the explosives were airbag initiators.We were prepared to accept the Cargo; as documented; but the dispatcher indicated that he was investigating whether the lithium batteries were loaded in the same cargo compartment. This is the first; and ONLY; indication that we were even carrying lithium batteries. The dispatcher informed us that we were; in fact; carrying lithium batteries in both the forward and aft cargo compartments. He was checking to see whether it was acceptable to load lithium batteries in the same compartment where explosive material was also loaded. We delayed our push back; and waited for an answer.At XB19; the dispatcher indicated; 'the ones in the aft pit (per load planning) are next to the initiators and are good to be that way'. He also inquired whether I wanted them moved; and to let him and the station know of my decision. I told him and the station that we wanted the lithium batteries off the plane. He indicated that the batteries in the forward pit were on a pallet; but the batteries in the aft pit were not. We chose to have the batteries removed from the aft pit; and informed the dispatcher and ground staff of our decision.The delay continued as it took some time for Ramp Personnel to off-load the lithium batteries from the aft cargo compartment. We had no idea how much; or how many there were; as we had no documentation. Once the batteries were removed from the aft pit; we were ready to leave. Just prior to push back; the station indicated that the lithium batteries in the forward pit were mislabeled. Apparently there were NO batteries at station 22; only 'cargo'. The station advised that they were unable to reconcile the cargo figures with HAZMAT coded as such; therefore it had to be off-loaded.The delay was nearly two hours. What concerns me was that we were never informed of the lithium batteries. When we received our final weight and balance figures; our zero fuel weight had dropped by nearly 10;000 pounds. Clearly someone did not follow company procedures because we had dangerous goods improperly labeled; documented; and loaded on the airplane. Had I not inquired of the DG form; we would have pushed back and left (unwittingly) with this cargo load. We are repeatedly told in training modules that Company Cargo specialists are specifically trained; and that we can accept DG shipments without concern. This event leaves me wondering whether this applies to third-party cargo handlers as well.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.