Lithium Battery Shipper to Pay $1.1M for Alleged Hazmat Violations

Posted on 12/11/2017 by Roger Marks

For allegedly shipping 24-volt lithium-ion batteries that did not conform to UN test standards or US Hazardous Materials Regulations requirements, a Florida lithium battery manufacturer now faces a $1,100,000 fine from US FAA.

According to FAA’s press release, one of the batteries caught fire and destroyed a FedEx truck during ground transportation—after being unloaded from an airplane.

After being informed by US FAA that lithium batteries offered for transport must meet UN testing standards per domestic and international standards, the company allegedly continued shipping for weeks.

FAA claims this is the largest ever civil penalty issued for hazardous materials violations relating to lithium batteries shipped by air.

Why Are Lithium Batteries Hazmat?

Watch the video below to find out how lithium batteries become a safety hazard.

The unique hazards posed by lithium batteries—in transportation, in the workplace, and in the home—are well documented. In November this year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued recalls of 7 brands of lithium-battery powered “hoverboards” due to the possibility of smoke, fire, and explosion hazards.

In September, an employee at a medical device company carried 142 lithium-metal batteries in his checked luggage, prompting a $50,000 hazmat civil penalty for his employer. This FAA hazmat penalty underscores the importance of hazmat awareness—even among employees who work outside the warehouse or shipping facility.

Read more lithium battery hazmat news here.

Shipping Lithium Batteries—Online or Live in North Jersey!

Full hazmat training to ship lithium batteries by ground, air, or vessel is now available as both an online course and an exclusive classroom workshop at Lion’s New Jersey Training Center. Meet US DOT, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code DG training requirements and build the knowledge and skills to keep your shipments in compliance.

Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course

Train online anytime and benefit from exercises and interactive learning tools that help you retain what you learn. Build in-depth expertise on how to class, package, mark, label, loading, unload, and document lithium battery ground, air, and vessel shipments. Plus, get free lithium battery safety training at Lion.com when you enroll now!

Shipping Lithium Batteries Workshop—February 8

Join us at the NJ Training Center for this exclusive lithium battery hazmat training! On February 8, learn the latest rules for offering lithium batteries for ground, air, or vessel transport. Satisfy relevant training mandates for highway, air, and ocean shipping. [49 CFR 172.704, IATA DGR 1.5, and IMDG Code 1.3.1]

Tags: DOT, FAA, fines and penalties, hazmat shipping, lithium batteries

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