PHMSA Increases Penalties for Violations of Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Law

On April 19, 2017, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a final rule revising the maximum and minimum civil penalties for a knowing violation of the Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Law.

Effective immediately, the following updated civil penalties will apply to all knowing violations of the Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Law or a regulation, order, special permit, or approval issued under that law.

• The maximum civil penalty for a knowing violation is now $78,376.
• The maximum civil penalty for a violation that results in death, serious illness, or severe injury to any person or substantial destruction of property is now $182,877.
• The minimum civil penalty for a violation relating to training is now $471.

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