Hazmat fines increased in U.S.

WASHINGTON, (Sept. 9, 2003) — Effective at the end of the month, the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has increased the maximum civil penalty from $27,500 to $32,500 for a knowing violation of federal hazardous materials transportation law or a regulation issued under the law. The minimum penalty has been increased from $250 to $275.

RSPA says it will also look back six calendar years instead of five for prior violations in determining the amount of a penalty. The agency published a list of revised baseline assessments for frequently cited violations, including:

— Failure to register for offering or carrying hazardous materials, $1,000, plus $500 each additional registration fee;

— Failure to provide initial training to hazmat employees, $250-$700 and up depending on the number of employees;

— Failure to provide in-depth security training when a security plan is required, $2,500;

— Failure to create and maintain training records, $500-$800 and up;

— Failure to develop a security plan, $6,000 and up;

— Failure to put security plan in writing, $2,000 and up;

— Offering a hazardous material for transportation without shipping papers, markings, labels or placards, $15,000 and up;

— Failure to properly placard a freight container or vehicle containing hazardous materials, $1,000 – $9,000;

— Failure to give immediate notification of a reportable hazardous materials incident, $3,000;

–Failure to file a written hazmat incident report within 30 days following an unintentional release in transportation, $500-$2,500;

— Failure to retain shipping papers as required by regulation, $1,000;

— Transporting hazmat packages that haven’t been secured against movement, $3,000;

— Failure to properly segregate hazardous materials, $7,500 and up.

The complete list, plus other administrative changes was published in Monday’s Federal Register, which can be accessed at www.gpoaccess.gov

— Truckininfo.com