The FAA Proposes Fines

$97,500, against PerkinElmer Instruments of Shelton, CT, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on February 22, 2002, PerkinElmer improperly offered a fiberboard box containing 83 100-milliliter plastic containers of "atomic absorption modifier solution," an oxidizer, to United Parcel Service (UPS) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, KY, discovered the shipment.

$84,000, against Ashland Changzhou of Shanghai, China and Ashland Specialty Chemical Co. of Columbus, OH, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on December 21, 2000, Ashland Changzhou improperly offered a fiberboard box containing two, 1-liter plastic containers of “Base Resin,” a poison, which is a hazardous material, to United Parcel Service (UPS) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, KY discovered the shipment leaking.

$84,000, against Durability, Inc. of St. Petersburg, FL, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on February 5, 2001, Durability improperly offered a fiberboard box containing one, 118-ounce metal container of lacquer, a flammable liquid, to United Parcel Service (UPS) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, KY, discovered the shipment leaking.

$84,000, against Arpac Automotive Products, Inc. of Wellington, FL, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on February 1, 2002, Arpac Automotive Products improperly offered a fiberboard box containing 24, 16-ounce containers of "Golden Touch Power Pack Step 2," and 24, 12-ounce containers of "Golden Touch Power Pack Step 1," both
flammable liquids, to United Parcel Service (UPS) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, KY, discovered the shipment.

$75,000, against Stevens Aviation, Inc. of Greenville, SC, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on December 5, 2000, Stevens Aviation improperly offered five shipments, each consisting of a fiberboard box containing one fuel control unit containing residual aviation fuel, a flammable liquid, to Federal Express (FedEx) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the FedEx sort facility in Nashville, TN, discovered a fuel odor emanating from the shipments.

$72,000, against Glaze ‘n Seal of Irvine, CA, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on January 4, 2001, Glaze ‘n Seal improperly offered a fiberboard box containing five plastic containers and four glass containers of paint-related materials, all flammable liquids, to United Parcel Service (UPS) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the UPS sort discovered the shipment.

$70,000, against Suitt Construction Company of Greenville, SC, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on January 24, 2002, Suitt Construction improperly offered a fiberboard box containing a gasoline-powered concrete cutting saw, a hazardous material by virture of its being powered by gasoline, a flammable liquid, inside to Federal Express (FedEx) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the FedEx sort facility in Greer, SC, discovered the shipment leaking.

$59,500, against Namco, Inc. of Kirkland, WA, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on February 13, 2001, Namco improperly offered a fiberboard box containing two, 8-ounce metal containers of paint-related materials, a flammable liquid, to United Parcel Service (UPS) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, KY, discovered the shipment.

$53,550, against Avery Dennison Corp. of Pasadena, CA, for allegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations:

The FAA alleges that on March 12, 2001, Avery Dennison Corp. improperly offered a fiberboard box containing four, 1-gallon plastic containers of  paint-related materials, a flammable liquid, to United Parcel Service (UPS) for transportation by air. Ground handling employees at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, KY, discovered the shipment leaking.

The FAA says that these companies offered the hazardous materials for transportation when they were not packaged, marked, classed, described, documented, or in condition for shipment as required by regulations. They also failed to ensure 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. This announcement is made in accordance with the FAA’s practice of releasing information to the public on newly issued enforcement actions involving penalties of $50,000 or more.

FMI: www.faa.gov