Search

New Maximum Hazmat Civil Penalties for 2025

Posted on 12/30/2024 by Lion Technology Inc.

Agencies of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) have increased the maximum possible civil penalty amounts for violations of US hazardous materials shipping and transportation regulations, including for failure to provide employees with mandatory hazmat training.

See the Final Rule in the December 30, 2024 Federal Register for all civil penalty adjustments made by US DOT agencies like US FAA, FMCSA, and FRA for 2025.


2025 Hazmat Civil Penalty Adjustments

For violations that occur on or after December 30, 2024, the new maximum (and minimum) penalties for hazmat shipping/transportation violations are as follows:

$102,348 per day, per violation (+$2,591)

...for a hazardous materials violation.

$238,809 per day, per violation (+$6,047)

...for a violation resulting in death, serious illness, severe injury, or substantial property damage.

$617 per employee, per day (+$16)

...for failure to provide hazmat training for employees per 49 CFR 172, Subpart H. The maximum penalty for failure to provide hazmat training is the same as above, $102,348.

See also: New Maximum Civil Penalties for Environmental Violations


DOT/PHMSA Hazmat Employee Training Requirements

As Federal civil penalties continue to rise exponentially, ongoing compliance with hazmat training and re-training requirements is crucial for success. US DOT requires hazmat training for all employees who can affect the safety of hazardous materials in transportation. This includes—but is not limited to—employees who classify materials, select packaging, package shipments, mark and label packages or containers, load and unload vehicles, and prepare or sign shipping papers.

Hazmat training must be provided within 90 days of the employee’s hire date, and re-training is required once every three years (see 49 CFR 172.704). For details about who needs hazmat training and what training is required for hazmat employees, see the Hazmat Training FAQ.

Hazmat Violations Have Major Non-Monetary Consequences, Too

Civil penalties are only one potential consequence of noncompliance with the HMR. Failure to comply with all applicable hazmat shipping regulations can cause a shipment to be rejected by the carrier or removed from transportation. Often, this means work must be repeated and/or rushed to ensure delivery to the customer.

Incidents during transportation or delivery like leaks, spills, and fires due to inadequate packaging or package closures can injure workers and endanger the public, and must be reported to US DOT. Hazardous materials inspectors review these reports to identify facilities that ship hazmat and prioritize facilities for inspection.

Why Do Civil Penalties Go Up Every Year?

Yearly civil penalty adjustments began in 2015, when the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 amended Federal law related to civil penalties for regulatory violations. Previously, the DOT and the EPA were required by law to increase penalties only every four years.

Tags: hazmat, hazmat penalties, hazmat shipping, hazmat training

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

One of the best trainings I have ever received!

Brandon Morfin

EH&S Manager

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Tips to identify and manage universal waste under more-stringent state regulations for generators and universal waste handlers in California.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.