Allegedly Violating Hazardous Materials Regulations - Civil Penalties Against Seven Companies

FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Against Seven Companies for Allegedly Violating Hazardous Materials Regulations

December 15, 2014
Contact: Kathleen Bergen
Phone: (404) 305-5100; Email: Kathleen Bergen

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ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing civil penalties ranging from $54,000 to $91,000 against seven companies for allegedly violating Hazardous Materials Regulations.

The FAA alleges that in the cases of New Chapter, Click Bond, All Tire Supply and Kretek International, the shipments were not accompanied by shipping papers to indicate the hazardous nature of their contents and were not marked, labeled or packed in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations. The FAA also alleges the companies failed to provide emergency response information and failed to ensure their employees had received required hazardous materials training.

The allegations against Q.G. Investments, Harland Clarke and Quimica Bicentenario are the same except the FAA is not alleging a training violation by Q.G. Investments and is not alleging packaging violations by Harland Clarke and Quimica Bicentenario.

The cases are as follows: 

$91,000 against New Chapter, Inc. of Brattleboro, Vt.  The FAA alleges that on July 11, 2013, New Chapter offered a shipment containing a five-gallon metal drum filled with a flammable resin solution to UPS for air transportation to Ohio. Workers at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, Ky., discovered that approximately three gallons of the resin had leaked from the drum.

New Chapter is scheduled to meet with the FAA in January to discuss the case.

$81,000 against Q.G. Investments, LLC of Sanford, Fla. The FAA alleges that on Jan. 23, 2013, Q.G. Investments offered a shipment containing 46 packages of sparklers to United Airlines for air transportation from Orlando, Fla. to Tanzania, Africa. Sparklers are explosive fireworks, which are forbidden aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. United Airlines’ contract cargo handling company discovered the shipment at Orlando International Airport.

Q.G. Investments has requested to meet with the FAA to discuss the case.

$78,000 against Click Bond, Inc. of Carson City, Nev.  The FAA alleges that on April 22, 2013, Click Bond offered a nylon bag containing eight packets totaling one ounce of polyester resin adhesive to UPS for air transportation from North Carolina to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Polyester resin adhesive is a flammable liquid.

Click Bond has requested to meet with the FAA to discuss the case.

$66,500 against All Tire Supply Co. of Houston, Texas.  The FAA alleges that on Feb. 25, 2013, All Tire Supply offered a shipment containing four one-gallon metal cans of paint, which is a flammable liquid, to DHL Worldwide Express for air transportation to Sydney, Australia. Workers at the DHL sort facility in Erlanger, Ky., discovered the shipment leaking.

All Tire Supply has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

$65,000 against Kretek International, Inc., of Moorpark, Calif. The FAA alleges that on Dec. 13, 2012, Kretek offered a shipment containing twelve 10.15-ounce aerosol cans of highly flammable butane gas to UPS for air transportation from Moorpark, Calif. to Tallahassee, Fla. Workers at the UPS sort facility in Jacksonville, Fla. discovered the shipment during a security screening.  

Kretek has requested to meet with the FAA to discuss the case.

$55,000 against Harland Clarke Holdings Corp. of San Antonio, Texas. The FAA alleges that on March 10, 2014, Harland Clarke offered one box containing twelve 11-ounce aerosol cans of silicone, which is a flammable gas, for transportation aboard a UPS cargo flight from Georgia to Puerto Rico. Workers at the UPS sort facility in Jacksonville, Fla., discovered the package. 

Harland Clarke has requested to meet with the FAA to discuss the case.

$54,000 against Quimica Bicentenario de la Ind., of Guadalajara, Mexico. The FAA alleges that on June 12, 2014, Quimica Bicentenario offered one box containing 500 fireworks to FedEx for air transportation to Miami, Fla. Workers at the FedEx sort facility in Memphis, Tenn., discovered the package. Fireworks are explosives.

Quimica Bicentenario is scheduled to meet with the FAA in January to discuss the case.