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FAA fines N.Y. shipper for hazmat violations

The agency alleges Optisource offered three undeclared hazmat shipments to UPS for air transport to Puerto Rico and Canada.

   The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $170,000 civil penalty against Optisource International of Bellport, N.Y., for allegedly violating hazardous materials regulations. 
   The FAA alleges that Optisource offered three undeclared hazmat shipments to UPS on March 18-19, 2013 for air transport to Puerto Rico and Canada. The Puerto Rico shipment included six boxes that each contained 16 ounces of ink remover, which is a flammable liquid. One of the shipments to Canada comprised eight 16-ounce bottles of the ink remover and the other shipment was a container of flammable aerosol lens spray, the FAA said.
   The agency said the shipments did not include the necessary shipping documentation and labels for hazardous goods. In addition, the FAA said the company failed to provide its employees hazardous materials training. 

Chris Gillis

Located in the Washington, D.C. area, Chris Gillis primarily reports on regulatory and legislative topics that impact cross-border trade. He joined American Shipper in 1994, shortly after graduating from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., with a degree in international business and economics.