FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Against Two Companies for Allegedly Violating Hazardous Materials Regulations

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes civil penalties of $63,000 and $96,000 against two companies for allegedly violating Hazardous Materials Regulations. In both cases, the FAA alleges the shipments were not accompanied by shipping papers to indicate the hazardous nature of their contents and were not marked, labeled or packaged in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations. The FAA also alleges the companies failed to provide emergency response information and that Chemique, Inc., failed to ensure its employees had received required hazardous materials training. The cases are as follows: $96,000 against The Home Depot, Inc., of Atlanta, Ga. The FAA alleges that on Feb. 15, 2013, The Home Depot offered a shipment containing 58 two-quart containers of flammable charcoal lighter fluid and four lighter packs, each containing three flammable lighters, to UPS for air transport to Bloomington, Minn. UPS employees at the company's sort facility in Louisville, Ky., discovered the shipment leaking. One of the lighter fluid containers had leaked its entire contents. $63,000 against Chemique, Inc., of Moorestown, N.J. The FAA alleges that on September 30, 2013, Chemique offered a shipment of six, 8-ounce containers of liquid rust remover and restoration cleaner for transport by air to Milton, Fla. Both substances are corrosive poisons. FedEx employees discovered the shipment at the company's sort facility in Tampa, Fla. Both companies have asked to meet with the FAA to discuss the respective cases.