In the most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) crackdown on companies who violate hazardous materials regulations, seven U.S. companies are facing heavy fines for failing to label their hazmat shipments – and to train their employees on how to safely ship hazmat and how to respond if something goes wrong with it.
The cases:
$91,000 against New Chapter, Inc. of Brattleboro, Vt. The FAA alleges that on July 11, 2013, New Chapter offered a shipment containing a five-gallon metal drum filled with a flammable resin solution to UPS for air transportation to Ohio. Workers at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, Ky., discovered that approximately three gallons of the resin had leaked from the drum.
$81,000 against Q.G. Investments, LLC of Sanford, Fla.The FAA alleges that on Jan. 23, 2013, Q.G. Investments offered a shipment containing 46 packages of sparklers to United Airlines for air transportation from Orlando, Fla. to Tanzania, Africa. Sparklers are explosive fireworks, which are forbidden aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. United Airlines’ contract cargo handling company discovered the shipment at Orlando International Airport.
$78,000 against Click Bond, Inc. of Carson City, Nev. The FAA alleges that on April 22, 2013, Click Bond offered a nylon bag containing eight packets totaling one ounce of polyester resin adhesive to UPS for air transportation from North Carolina to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Polyester resin adhesive is a flammable liquid.
$66,500 against All Tire Supply Co. of Houston, Texas. The FAA alleges that on Feb. 25, 2013, All Tire Supply offered a shipment containing four one-gallon metal cans of paint, which is a flammable liquid, to DHL Worldwide Express for air transportation to Sydney, Australia. Workers at the DHL sort facility in Erlanger, Ky., discovered the shipment leaking.
$65,000 against Kretek International, Inc., of Moorpark, Calif.The FAA alleges that on Dec. 13, 2012, Kretek offered a shipment containing twelve 10.15-ounce aerosol cans of highly flammable butane gas to UPS for air transportation from Moorpark, Calif. to Tallahassee, Fla. Workers at the UPS sort facility in Jacksonville, Fla. discovered the shipment during a security screening.
$55,000 against Harland Clarke Holdings Corp. of San Antonio, Texas. The FAA alleges that on March 10, 2014, Harland Clarke offered one box containing twelve 11-ounce aerosol cans of silicone, which is a flammable gas, for transportation aboard a UPS cargo flight from Georgia to Puerto Rico. Workers at the UPS sort facility in Jacksonville, Fla., discovered the package.
$54,000 against Quimica Bicentenario de la Ind., of Guadalajara, Mexico. The FAA alleges that on June 12, 2014, Quimica Bicentenario offered one box containing 500 fireworks to FedEx for air transportation to Miami, Fla. Workers at the FedEx sort facility in Memphis, Tenn., discovered the package. Fireworks are explosives.
