Lion's office will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. For help with online training, please contact support@lion.com.
Search

Final Rule Alert: PHMSA Raises Hazmat Penalties for 2019

Posted on 11/27/2018 by Roger Marks

The US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has raised civil penalties for Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) violations to keep pace with inflation. This minor adjustment occurs once per year—but with penalties assessed on a per day, per violation basis, even small increases to penalties can quickly add up.

The increased DOT hazmat penalty amounts are as follows: 
 
  • The maximum civil penalty for a violation of hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(1)) rose from $78,376 to $79,976 per day, per violation.
 
  • For a violation that results in death, serious illness, severe injury, or substantial property damage, the fine rose from $182,887 to $186,610.
 
  • The minimum penalty for a violation related to hazmat training (required once every 3 years for all hazmat employees per 49 CFR 172.704) rose $10 from $471 to $481 per day, per violation.
New to hazmat management? Check out our Hazmat Training FAQ to learn more.

Raising the Value of Hazmat Compliance

Each time PHMSA increases civil penalties, it helps to underscore the value of hazardous materials compliance management. While civil penalty amounts for typical shipping violations may not reach the upper limits in every case, fines are only one of the outcomes hazardous materials professionals work to prevent.

The true consequences of hazmat noncompliance do not start and stop with financial penalties.

When hazardous materials are not classified, packaged, labeled, and handled properly, the costs can be both human and business-related. Injury to employees and/or logistics workers are not uncommon in cases when hazardous materials are released during loading, unloading, or transit.

Join Lion for expert-led hazmat/dangerous goods training at the Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Certification Workshops, coming to Pittsburgh, Chicago, Hartford, Boston, New jersey and Philadelphia in December and January. 

When a consignment is not prepared according to the latest hazardous materials standards—whether PHMSA’s 49 CFR regulations, the IATA DGR, the IMDG Code, or another set of rules—the carrier may reject or delay the shipment, material may spill or otherwise be released in transit and endanger people and infrastructure.  

Can’t join us for a live workshop this year? Find online training you can take when you want, where you want.


Got New Hazmat Employees?

New hazmat employees need a solid grasp of the hazmat regulations and what they must do to help maintain compliance. Every step of the hazmat shipping process is regulated in some way, and even small mistakes can lead to injuries, emergencies, rejected shipments, and fines that get more expensive every year.  

New hazmat employees must complete DOT hazmat training within 90 days of their hire date and may not perform any unsupervised hazmat job function until they are trained.

The Shipping Hazmat by Ground—Ops Online Course provides hazmat general awareness, security awareness, and function-specific training for new or experienced hazmat employees. Personnel who complete this course learn how to do their jobs the right way, in full compliance the US DOT hazmat regulations that govern their hazmat-related activities.

Tags: dangerous, DOT, goods, hazardous, hazmat, management, materials, new, rules, shipping, training

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

Energetic/enthusiastic! Made training enjoyable, understandable and fun!

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

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

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S Manager

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

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

A guide to developing standard operating procedures, or SOPs, that help you select, manage, and audit your hazmat agents and contractors.

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.