FAA PROPOSES $160,500 CIVIL PENALTY AGAINST WOODIOSO TECHNOLOGY FOR ALLEGED HAZMAT VIOLATIONS
August 13, 2018
On July 18, 2018, the FAA proposed a $160,500 civil penalty against Woodioso Technology Limited of Hong Kong (Woodioso) for allegedly violating the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
According to the FAA, Woodioso knowingly offered a shipment of 30 lithium ion batteries to United Parcel Service (UPS) for shipment by air from Hong Kong to the company’s service facility in Louisville, Kentucky. When the shipment arrived, a UPS employee discovered the batteries and, upon inspection, the FAA alleges Woodioso did not keep the batteries separated to prevent them from contacting each other during shipment, which could have potentially created sparks or generated a dangerous evolution of heat. Improperly packaged lithium ion batteries are considered “forbidden materials” for air transportation.
The FAA further alleges that the shipment was not accompanied by a shipper’s declaration of dangerous goods and was not properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled or in the proper condition for shipment.
Lastly, the FAA alleges Woodioso failed to ensure that each of its employees received required hazardous materials training, and failed to provide emergency response information with the shipment.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com or 202-659-6622); Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com or 202-659-6665), or Alexander Matthews (amatthews@eckertseamans.com or 202-659-6633).
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