FAA PROPOSES $142,000 IN FINES AGAINST TWO SHIPPERS

FAA PROPOSES $142,000 IN FINES AGAINST TWO SHIPPERS    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's Southern Region office has proposed to assess civil penalties on two shippers, totaling $142,000, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations.
   The companies, proposed fines and charges are:
   * Sturdisteel Co., Waco, Texas; $70,000; for allegedly offering a box of aerosol cans to an air carrier for transportation. Ground handling employees at a sort facility in Memphis, discovered the shipment leaking.
   * Alpa International, Miami, Fla.; $72,000; for allegedly offering pallets of flammable liquids to Lan Chile Cargo for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the Lan Chile Cargo facility in Miami discovered the shipment while separating boxes for loading aboard an aircraft.
   In both situations, the FAA said the companies had offered the hazardous materials for transport when they were not packaged, labeled, marked, classed, properly documented or in condition for shipment as required by regulations. The FAA said both companies had also failed to insure that employees were trained to properly package and handle hazardous materials, and did not make available at all times the required emergency response information.
   The companies have 30 days from receipt of the FAA notice to submit a reply to the agency, the FAA said.