FAA warns Braille Battery about air cargo shipments

The Federal Aviation Administration told Braille Battery to stop shipping lithium-ion batteries by air transport or the company will risk criminal prosecution and fines.    The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Sept. 16 it issued an emergency order to stop Braille Battery of Sarasota, Fla., from shipping lithium-ion batteries by air transport, but the company has so far failed to comply, according to the agency.
   “If Braille Battery does not comply with this order, the company is subject to criminal prosecution as well as civil penalties of up to $179,933 for each violation, for each day they are found to be in violation,” FAA warned in a statement Friday.
   The FAA said it has determined that Braille Battery’s “overall conditions and practices constitute an imminent hazard.”
   The agency explained that the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that any lithium-ion battery it offers for transport is properly tested for classification, packaged, marked and labeled. In addition, Braille Battery, as a hazardous materials employer, must ensure its employees are adequately trained to comply with federal hazardous materials transport regulations.
   The FAA also issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) to warn airlines about the dangers that some Braille Battery lithium-ion batteries could pose when transported by air. The SAFO recommends that airlines watch for Braille battery shipments and prevent them from getting on board their flights.