FMCSA Shuts Down Hazmat Fireworks Co. for HMR Violations

This month, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an out-of-service order to effectively shut down an Illinois-based hazmat shipper. According to the order, the company hauled fireworks in violation of the US DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) and other DOT rules, and posed an “imminent hazard to public safety.”

Fireworks are regulated as Division 1.3 and 1.4 explosives under US DOT regulations. In 2010, the carrier notified FMCSA in writing that it had closed its business. In late May, the company was found to be transporting fireworks to a baseball stadium in Missouri.


In addition to transporting some of the fireworks in plastic grocery bags, the carrier committed the following HMR violations:

• Failure to properly close or secure packages
• Operating without a CDL or a hazmat endorsement
• Transporting hazmat without a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit (HSMP)
• Failure to placard the truck
• Shipping without hazmat shipping papers

In order to resume business as a hazmat carrier, the company will—among many other requirements—be required to train all employees on the Hazardous Materials Regulations. Any business that ships or carries hazmat in the US must provide employees with hazmat training. [49 CFR 172, Subpart H] In this case, failure to train employees and failure to follow the hazmat rules could have resulted in serious destruction and danger to personnel and the public. Fines for violating the hazmat regulations are as high as $75,000 per day, per violation.

To protect your business and your compliance record with training on the latest rules for shipping hazmat by ground (49 CFR), air (IATA) and vessel (IMDG), visit Lion.com/hazmat-training.

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping