FAA fines 3 firms for hazmat violations

The agency has proposed civil penalties against three companies totaling $215,570 for hazardous materials regulations violations involving air transport.    The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Aviation Administration has proposed civil penalties against three companies totaling $215,570 for hazardous materials regulations violations involving air transport.
   China Express International of Changzhou on June 12, 2014, allegedly offered a shipment containing a lithium-ion battery pack to United Airlines for transport, which Customs and Border Protection officers discovered when it arrived at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The company was assessed a civil penalty of $82,500 by the FAA.
   FAA assessed Bridgewater International of Woods Cross, Utah a $67,700 civil penalty for allegedly offering a shipment on Sept. 19, 2014 to FedEx which contained polyester resin, acetone, organic peroxide and construction adhesives. Workers at a FedEx sort facility discovered the shipment when some of the contents leaked.
   The agency also assessed Crow Works of Killbuck, Ohio a $66,000 civil penalty for allegedly offering a shipment to FedEx which contained petroleum mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol, flammable aerosols and paint. FedEx workers discovered the shipment and alerted the FAA.
   In each case, the FAA alleged the shipments were not accompanied by shipping papers to indicate the hazardous nature of their contents and were not marked or labeled in accordance with the hazardous materials regulations. 
   In addition, the FAA alleged the companies failed to ensure their employees received required hazardous materials training and did not provide emergency response information with the packages.