DOT issues $54K hazmat violation fine; lack of employee training cited

August 24, 2016
from http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/08/gordon_food_service_facing_54k.html
WYOMING, MI — Gordon Food Service is facing a $54,000 fine from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration for allegedly violating hazardous materials regulations.
The Wyoming-based food distributor tried to send a shipment of 30 four-ounce Fryer Boil-Out Foaming tablets for air transportation from Plant City, Fla., to Greensboro, N.C. without properly marking the package, according to the FAA.
The tablets are made of corrosive sodium hydroxide, and the inner boxes displayed the words, “DANGER: May Cause Burns.”
Workers at the UPS sort facility in Lakeland, Fla., discovered the shipment and reported it.
The package should have been marked, labeled or accompanied by shipping papers indicating the amount, type and hazardous nature of the material inside, the federal agency said in a release announcing the proposed fine.
The FAA says the company also failed to provide the required emergency response information with the shipment and to make sure its employees received required hazardous materials training.
The Michigan company has 30 days from receipt of the FAAs enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
GFS declined to comment on the FAA violation and fine.