The shipment violated the U.S. Department of Transportation’s regulations applying to hazardous materials, the FAA said.
The FAA announced proposed fines ranging from $54,000 to $97,500 against 12 companies for alleged violations of those regulations. The companies have 30 days from when they receive notice of the proposed fine in which to respond to the agency.
“We’re not denying that it occurred,” said Mike Goecke, general manager at Hammelmann in West Carrollton. “It’s not going to happen again.”
A company technician shipped the package without first checking with Hammelmann’s shipping department about the proper procedures, Goecke said. The shipment should have been packaged in an appropriate container and the freight delivery company should have been told up front about what the cargo was so the shipper could determine whether to accept it for delivery, Goecke said.
Hammelmann has an upcoming meeting scheduled with the government to discuss the incident, in hopes that the punishment might be reduced, Goecke said.
Hammelman is a supplier of high-pressure pumps. The company’s operations include supporting at least 400 such pumps at oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, Goecke said. The West Carrollton operation serves the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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