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DOT Hazmat Penalties Rise for 2021

Posted on 1/11/2021 by Roger Marks

The US Department of Transportation increased civil penalties for regulatory violations this week, including violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

In effect as of January 11, 2021, the revised civil penalties apply to hazardous materials violations in ground, air, and vessel transportation.

The new civil penalty amounts are as follows:
  • The maximum civil penalty for hazmat shipping violations rose from $81,993 to $83,439 per day, per violation.
  • For a violation that results in death, serious illness, severe injury, or substantial property damage, the civil penalty rose from $191,316 to $194,691 per day, per violation.
  • The minimum penalty for failure to provide hazmat training for employees went up from $493 to $502 per employee, per day.
[see 49 USC 5123(a)(1), (2), and (3)]

DOT’s Hazmat Training Requirement   

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 hazmat 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.

Live, instructor Led Hazmat Training for 2021

Join us for 49 CFR, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code webinars presented live by instructors throughout 2021. Develop a step  by step approach to prepare and offer shipments in full compliance with the latest hazmat/dangerous goods regulations for 2021. 
 
Recurrent Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT) Feb. 2 and Feb. 23
Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT) Jan. 19–20 and Feb. 9–10
Hazmat Air Shipper Certification (IATA) Jan. 21 and Feb. 3
Hazmat Vessel Shipper Certification (IMDG) Jan. 22 and Feb. 4

Easy to Use Online Hazmat Training

With penalties for hazmat training violations on the rise, ensuring that your employees are properly trained is more important than ever. At Lion.com, it’s easy to provide reliable, up-to-date hazmat training for your shipping staff.

Students who complete these hazmat online courses come away with a strong understanding of their responsibilities for compliance with hazardous materials standards.

Tags: fines and penalties, hazmat shipping, hazmat training

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