The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) within the US DOT is allowed by Federal law assess fines for what it determines are violations of the Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Law or the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR 171-180) committed on or after December 31, 2009.  That same Federal law sets a maximum and minimum limit to the civil penalties PHMSA ca assess.  The maximum civil penalty PHMSA can assess for a violation is $55,000 and a minimum of $250 per day for each violation.

The maximum limit goes up to $110,000 if the violation results in death, serious illness or severe injury, or substantial destruction of property.  Interestingly, the minimum civil penalty increases from $250 to $495 if the violation concerns training.

Fines from the PHMSA for violations of the HMR are real and expensive.  Better for you to spend your money providing high-quality training for your HazMat Employees instead of paying many times more the cost of training in fines.  That is not to mention the stigma of the violation, and costs related to contesting the violation or fixing the problem.  Contact me to schedule training that will save you from fines like these.