Company Allegedly Violated Hazardous Materials Regulations

The FAA is proposing a $63,000 civil penalty against Hixwood Metal, Inc. of Stanley, WI for allegedly violating Hazardous Materials Regulations.

The FAA alleges that on Aug. 28, 2013, Hixwood Metal offered a five-gallon container of Towerdraw lightweight industrial lubricant to United Parcel Service, Inc. for shipment by air to West Union, Iowa. Employees at the UPS sorting facility in Altoona, Wis. discovered the package was leaking. The lubricant is a hazardous material with the proper shipping name of “petroleum distillates, n.o.s.,” which, according to Department of Transportation regulations, is considered to be a flammable petroleum distillate with the form “not otherwise specified,” that must be properly packaged and declared.

The FAA alleges that Hixwood Metal did not declare the hazardous materials. The shipment was not properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled and in proper condition for shipment under regulations. The FAA further alleges Hixwood did not provide emergency response information with the package, and did not ensure its employees had received the required training for shipping hazardous materials.

Hixwood Metal had an informal conference with the FAA to discuss the case, which remains pending.

FMI: www.faa.gov