[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2970-2977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1398]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Parts 107 and 171

[Docket No. HM-207F; Amdt. Nos. 107-40; 171-152]
RIN 2137-AC96


Hazardous Materials Regulations; Penalty Guidelines

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this final rule, RSPA is increasing the maximum civil 
penalty, from $25,000 to $27,500, for a knowing violation of Federal 
hazardous materials transportation law or the Hazardous Materials 
Regulations. RSPA is also publishing revised baseline assessments for 
frequently cited violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations, in 
order to provide the regulated community and the general public with 
more current information on RSPA's hazardous material penalty 
assessment process. These revisions to RSPA's baseline penalty 
assessments consider the increase in the maximum civil penalty to 
$27,500.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective January 21, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John J. O'Connell, Jr., Office of 
Hazardous Materials Enforcement, (202) 366-4700; or Edward H. 
Bonekemper, III, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-4400, Research 
and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Increase in Maximum Penalty

    Under Section 4 of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Act of 
1990 (the Act), 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, as amended by the Debt Collection 
Improvement Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-134), all Federal agencies must 
adjust civil penalties they administer to consider the effects of 
inflation. These adjustments were to be made no later than October 23, 
1996, and must be made at least once every 4 years thereafter, and must 
be published in the Federal Register. A formula for determining the 
amount of a periodic adjustment in civil penalty amounts is set forth 
in Section 5 of the Act; however, the 1996 amendment provided that the 
initial adjustment may not exceed 10 percent. Any increased civil 
penalty amount applies only to violations that occur after the date the 
increase takes effect.
    The Credit and Debt Management Division of the Department of the 
Treasury's Financial Management Service has calculated that the new 
maximum civil penalty for a knowing violation of the Federal hazardous 
material transportation law, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. or the Hazardous 
Materials Regulations (HMR), 49 CFR Parts 171-180, is $27,500. To carry 
out the statutory mandate, RSPA is adding a new Sec. 171.1(c) to the 
HMR specifying that the maximum civil penalty for violations of the 
Federal hazardous materials transportation law or the HMR, that occur 
after January 21, 1997, is $27,500. RSPA is also amending the 
references to the maximum civil penalty in Sec. 107.329 and Appendix A 
to Part 107, subpart D, to set forth the increased maximum civil 
penalty applicable to violations that occur after January 21, 1997. In 
a future rulemaking, RSPA will propose changes to other sections of the 
HMR that refer to the maximum civil penalty.
    There is no change in the statutory minimum $250 civil penalty for 
a knowing violation of the Federal hazardous material transportation 
law or HMR.

II. Revisions to Civil Penalty Baseline Guidelines

    On March 6, 1995, RSPA published its hazardous material 
transportation enforcement civil penalty guidelines as Appendix A to 49 
CFR Part 107, subpart D, in response to a request contained in Senate 
Report 103-150 that accompanied the Department of Transportation and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1994. See Docket No. HM-207D, 60 
FR 12139. Publication of these guidelines provides the regulated 
community and the general public with information concerning the manner 
in which RSPA generally begins its hazmat penalty assessment process 
and the types of information that respondents in enforcement cases 
should provide to justify reduction of proposed penalties.
    At that time, RSPA explained that its enforcement personnel and 
attorneys use these guidelines as a partial means of determining a 
baseline civil penalty for selected violations of the HMR or the 
Federal hazardous material transportation law. RSPA also explained that 
the penalty guidelines are periodically updated and were being 
published as they existed on January 18, 1995. As a general statement 
of agency policy and practice, these guidelines are informational, 
impose no requirements, are not finally determinative of any issues or 
rights, and do not have the force of law. For a further discussion of 
the nature and RSPA's use of these penalty guidelines, as a statement 
of agency policy for which no notice of proposed rulemaking is 
necessary, please see the preamble of the March 6, 1995 final rule. 60 
FR 12139-40.
    This final rule publishes revisions that RSPA has made to the List 
of Frequently Cited Violations, and their baseline assessments, since 
publication of the penalty guidelines in March 1995. These revisions to 
Part II of the guidelines were the result of an overall review RSPA 
conducted of its penalty

[[Page 2971]]

guidelines during the past year. These revisions consider the increase 
in the maximum civil penalty to $27,500, in accordance with the Federal 
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the 
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, as discussed above.
    RSPA has also changed many of the baseline assessments in an effort 
to more appropriately reflect the risks posed by, and the likely 
consequences of, the particular violation of the HMR. For example, the 
range of penalties applicable to shipping a hazardous material in an 
unauthorized packaging has been restated as three different numbers for 
materials in Packing Group I, II, and III, respectively, with the 
greatest baseline amount for a Packing Group I material in order to 
reflect the greater hazards posed by that material. Similarly, RSPA has 
increased the baseline assessment for certain violations that increase 
the likelihood of a failure of a compressed gas cylinder, with 
catastrophic results (such as the failure to condemn a cylinder with 
excessive permanent expansion), while penalties for some violations 
that appear to have no effect on the actual performance of a cylinder 
(such as illegible markings) have been reduced. In a few instances 
where the baseline assessment is stated as a range (e.g., $5,000 to 
$10,000), the factors generally considered in determining an amount 
within that range are indicated within the description of the violation 
(e.g., the length of time that a continuing violation has lasted). 
Otherwise, RSPA generally uses the middle of the range for the 
``normal'' type of violation.
    RSPA has also revised, added, deleted or combined individual 
violations from the List of Frequently Cited Violations, as considered 
appropriate, in order to make the guidelines a more useful device for 
both the public and RSPA personnel. Citations to sections of the HMR 
were supplied for certain violations, and the wording ``Various'' 
(rather than ``N/A'') is being used when a generally stated violation 
may be covered by more than one section of the HMR (e.g., the testing 
requirements applicable to the manufacture of each different DOT 
specification cylinder are contained in different sections of 49 CFR 
Part 178). The table has also been reorganized to place offeror 
violations together, and references to violations of the regulations 
concerning manufacture and use of packagings have been revised to 
reflect the fact that, after October 1, 1996, non-bulk packagings 
manufactured to DOT specifications are no longer authorized (unless 
filled before October 1, 1996) in place of packagings that must meet 
the performance-oriented packaging standards adopted in RSPA's 
rulemaking Docket No. HM-181 and located in 49 CFR Part 178, subpart M. 
See 49 CFR 171.14(a)(2).
    RSPA created and uses these penalty guidelines to promote 
consistency and provide a standard for imposing similar penalties in 
similar cases. When a violation not described in the guidelines is 
encountered, RSPA often determines a baseline assessment by analogy to 
a similar violation in the guidelines. However, as emphasized in Parts 
III and IV of the guidelines, the baseline assessments are only the 
starting point for assessing a penalty for a violation. Because no two 
cases are identical, rigid use of the guidelines would produce 
arbitrary results and, most significantly, would ignore the statutory 
mandate to consider several specific assessment criteria set forth in 
49 U.S.C. 5123 and 49 CFR 107.331. Therefore, regardless of whether or 
not the guidelines are used to determine a baseline amount for a 
violation, RSPA enforcement and legal personnel must apply the 
statutory assessment criteria to all relevant information in the record 
concerning any alleged violation and the apparent violator. 
Consideration of these criteria often warrants a final penalty that is 
less or greater than the initial baseline assessment.
    These penalty guidelines remain subject to revision, and, in any 
particular case, RSPA's Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement 
(OHME) and Office of the Chief Counsel will use the version of the 
guidelines in effect at the time a matter is referred by OHME for 
possible issuance of a notice of probable violation. Questions 
concerning RSPA's penalty guidelines and any comments or suggested 
revisions may be addressed to the persons identified above, in FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This final rule is not considered a significant regulatory action 
under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, was not 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. This rule is not 
significant under the Regulatory Policies and Procedures of the 
Department of Transportation (44 FR 11034). The economic impact of this 
final rule is minimal to the extent that preparation of a regulatory 
evaluation is not warranted.

B. Executive Order 12612

    This final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles 
and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 (``Federalism''). 
Because this final rule carries out a statutory mandate without 
interpretation and revises an informational appendix without imposing 
any requirements, preparation of a federalism assessment is not 
warranted.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that this final rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule applies to 
shippers and carriers of hazardous materials, some of which are small 
entities; however, there is no economic impact on any person who 
complies with Federal hazardous materials law and the HMR.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    There are no new information requirements in this final rule.

E. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)

    A regulation identifier number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory 
action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The 
Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in 
spring and fall of each year. The RIN contained in the heading of this 
document can be used to cross-reference this action with the Unified 
Agenda.

List of Subjects

49 CFR Part 107

    Administrative practices and procedure, Hazardous materials 
transportation, Packaging and containers, Penalties, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

49 CFR Part 171

    Exports, Hazardous materials transportation, Hazardous Waste, 
Imports, Incorporation by reference, Penalties, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    In consideration of the foregoing, 49 CFR Chapter I is amended as 
follows:

PART 107--HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROGRAM PROCEDURES

    1. The authority citation for part 107 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101-5127, 44701; 49 CFR 1.45 and 1.53; 
Pub. L. 101-410 Sec. 4 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); Pub. L. 104-134 
Sec. 31001.


Sec. 107.329  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 107.329 (a) and (b), the parenthetical phrase ``($27,500 
for a

[[Page 2972]]

violation occurring after January 21, 1997)'' is added after 
``$25,000.''
    3. Appendix A to subpart D of part 107 is amended by replacing the 
List of Frequently Cited Violations (Part II) to read as follows:

Appendix A--[Amended]

Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 107--Guidelines for Civil Penalties

* * * * *

II. List of Frequently Cited Violations

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Violation description        Section or cite     Baseline assessment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         PART 107--REQUIREMENTS                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Failure to register as a      107.608.............  $1,000 +, $500 each 
 carrier or shipper of                               add'l year.        
 hazardous material.                                                    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         PART 171--REQUIREMENTS                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Failure to give immediate     171.15..............  $3,000.             
 telephone notice of a                                                  
 reportable hazardous                                                   
 materials incident.                                                    
Failure to file a DOT 5800.1  171.16..............  $500 to $2,500.     
 Hazardous Materials                                                    
 Incident Report within 30                                              
 days following an                                                      
 unintentional release of                                               
 hazardous materials in                                                 
 transportation.                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         PART 172--REQUIREMENTS                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shipping Papers (Sec.                                                   
 172.200--172.205):                                                     
    Failure to execute a      172.201.............  $3,000 to $6,000.   
     shipping paper for a                                               
     shipment of hazardous                                              
     materials.                                                         
    Failure to follow one or  172.201(a)(1).......  $1,200.             
     more of the three                                                  
     approved formats for                                               
     listing hazardous                                                  
     materials on a shipping                                            
     paper.                                                             
    Failure to include a      172.202.............  $800 to $1,600.     
     proper shipping name in                                            
     the shipping                                                       
     description or using an                                            
     incorrect proper                                                   
     shipping name.                                                     
    Failure to include a      172.202.............  $1,000 to $2,000.   
     hazard class/division                                              
     number in the shipping                                             
     description.                                                       
    Using an incorrect        172.202.............                      
     hazard class/                                                      
     identification number.                                             
        -that does not          ..................  $800,               
         affect                                                         
         compatibility                                                  
         requirements.                                                  
        -that affects           ..................  $3,000 to $6,000.   
         compatibility                                                  
         requirements.                                                  
    Failure to include an     172.202.............  $1,000 to $2,000.   
     identification number                                              
     in the shipping                                                    
     description.                                                       
    Using an incorrect        172.202.............                      
     identification number.                                             
        -that does not          ..................  $800,               
         change the response                                            
         information.                                                   
        -that changes the       ..................  $3,000 to $6,000.   
         response                                                       
         information.                                                   
    Using a shipping          172.202.............  $800.               
     description that                                                   
     includes additional                                                
     unauthorized                                                       
     information (extra or                                              
     incorrect words).                                                  
    Using a shipping          172.202.............  $500.               
     description not in                                                 
     required sequence.                                                 
    Using a shipping          172.202.............                      
     description with two or                                            
     more required elements                                             
     missing or incorrect.                                              
        -such that the          ..................  $3,000.             
         material is                                                    
         misdescribed.                                                  
        -such that the          ..................  $6,000.             
         material is                                                    
         misclassified.                                                 
    Failure to include the    172.202(c)..........  $400.               
     total quantity of                                                  
     hazardous material                                                 
     covered by a shipping                                              
     description.                                                       
    The letters ``RQ'' are    172.203(c)(2).......  $500.               
     not used in the                                                    
     shipping description to                                            
     identify materials that                                            
     are hazardous                                                      
     substances.                                                        
    Using a shipping          172.203(d)..........  $2,000 to $4,000.   
     description for Class 7                                            
     (radioactive) material                                             
     that fails to contain                                              
     the required additional                                            
     entries, or contains                                               
     incorrect information                                              
     for these additional                                               
     entries.                                                           
    Failure to include a      172.203(k)..........  $1,000.             
     required technical name                                            
     in parentheses for a                                               
     listed generic or                                                  
     ``nos'' material.                                                  
    Failure to list an        172.203(a)..........  $800.               
     exemption number in                                                
     association with the                                               
     shipping description.                                              
    Failure to include the    172.204(a)..........  $1,000.             
     required shipper's                                                 
     certification on a                                                 
     shipping paper.                                                    
    Failure to execute the    172.204.............  $800.               
     required shipper's                                                 
     certification on a                                                 
     shipping paper.                                                    
Emergency Response                                                      
 Information Requirements                                               
 (Sec.  172.600--172.604):                                              
    Providing or listing      172.602.............                      
     incorrect emergency                                                
     response information                                               
     with or on a shipping                                              
     paper.                                                             
        -no significant         ..................  $800,               
         difference in                                                  
         response.                                                      
        -significant            ..................  $3,000 to $6,000.   
         difference in                                                  
         response.                                                      
    Failure to include an     172.604.............  $2,600.             
     emergency response                                                 
     telephone number on a                                              
     shipping paper.                                                    
    Failure to have the       172.604.............  $1,300.             
     emergency response                                                 
     telephone number                                                   
     monitored while a                                                  
     hazardous material is                                              
     in transportation or                                               
     listing multiple                                                   
     telephone numbers                                                  
     (without specifying the                                            
     times for each) that                                               
     are not monitored 24                                               
     hours a day.                                                       
    Listing a fraudulent      172.604.............  $2,600 to $4,200.   
     emergency response                                                 
     telephone number on a                                              
     shipping paper.                                                    
    Listing an incorrect or   172.604.............  $1,300.             
     non-working emergency                                              
     response telephone                                                 
     number on a shipping                                               
     paper.                                                             
    Failure to provide        172.604.............  $1,300.             
     required technical                                                 
     information when the                                               
     listed emergency                                                   
     response telephone                                                 
     number is contacted.                                               
Package Marking Requirements                                            
 (Sec.  172.300--172.338):                                              
    Failure to mark the       172.301(a)..........  $800 to $1,600.     
     proper shipping name on                                            
     a package or marking an                                            
     incorrect shipping name                                            
     on a package.                                                      

[[Page 2973]]

                                                                        
    Failure to mark the       172.301(a)..........  $1,000 to $2,000.   
     identification number                                              
     on a package.                                                      
    Marking a package with    172.301(a)..........                      
     an incorrect                                                       
     identification number.                                             
        -that does not          ..................  $800,               
         change the response                                            
         information.                                                   
        -that changes the       ..................  $3,000 to $6,000.   
         response                                                       
         information.                                                   
    Failure to mark the       172.301(a)..........  $3,000 to $6,000.   
     proper shipping name                                               
     and identification                                                 
     number on a package.                                               
    Marking a package with    172.301(a)..........                      
     an incorrect shipping                                              
     name and identification                                            
     number.                                                            
        -that does not          ..................  $1,500 to $3,000.   
         change the response                                            
         information.                                                   
        -that changes the       ..................  $3,000 to $6,000.   
         response                                                       
         information.                                                   
    Failure to include the    172.301(c)..........  $1,000.             
     required technical                                                 
     name(s) in parentheses                                             
     for a listed generic or                                            
     ``no'' entry.                                                      
    Failure to mark a         172.312.............  $2,500 to $3,500.   
     package containing                                                 
     liquid hazardous                                                   
     materials with required                                            
     orientation marks.                                                 
Package Labeling                                                        
 Requirements (Sec.  172.400-                                           
 172.450):                                                              
    Failure to label a        172.400.............  $5,000.             
     package..                                                          
    Placing a label that      172.400.............  $5,000.             
     represents a hazard                                                
     other than the hazard                                              
     presented by the                                                   
     hazardous material in                                              
     the package..                                                      
    Placing a label on a      172.401(a)..........  $800.               
     package that does not                                              
     contain a hazardous                                                
     material..                                                         
    Placing a label on Class  172.403.............  $5,000.             
     7 (radioactive)                                                    
     material that                                                      
     understates the proper                                             
     label category..                                                   
    Placing a label on Class  172.403(g)..........  $2,000 to $4,000.   
     7 (radioactive)                                                    
     material that fails to                                             
     contain, or has                                                    
     erroneous, entries for                                             
     the name of the                                                    
     radionuclide(s),                                                   
     activity, and transport                                            
     index..                                                            
    Placing a label not       172.407(c)..........  $800.               
     conforming to size                                                 
     requirements on a                                                  
     package..                                                          
    Placing a label on a      172.406(a)..........  $800.               
     different surface of                                               
     the package than, or                                               
     far away from, the                                                 
     proper shipping name..                                             
    Placing a label that      172.407(d)..........  $600 to $2,500.     
     does not meet color                                                
     specification                                                      
     requirements on a                                                  
     package (depending on                                              
     the variance)..                                                    
    Failure to place a        172.402.............  $500 to $2,500.     
     required subsidiary                                                
     label on a package..                                               
    Failure to provide an     172.411.............  $2,500.             
     appropriate class or                                               
     division number on a                                               
     label..                                                            
Placarding Requirements                                                 
 (Sec.  172.500-172.560):                                               
    Failure to properly       172.504.............  $1,000 to $9,000.   
     placard a freight                                                  
     container or vehicle                                               
     containing hazardous                                               
     materials when Table 1                                             
     is applicable..                                                    
    Failure to properly       172.504.............  $800 to $7,500.     
     placard a freight                                                  
     container or vehicle                                               
     containing hazardous                                               
     materials when Table 2                                             
     is applicable..                                                    
Training Requirements (Sec.                                             
 172.700-172.704):                                                      
    Failure to train hazmat   172.702.............                      
     employees in the three                                             
     required areas of                                                  
     training.                                                          
        -more than 10 hazmat  ....................  $2,400 and up.      
         employees..                                                    
        -10 hazmat employees  ....................  $1,500 and up.      
         or less..                                                      
    Failure to train hazmat   172.702.............                      
     employees in any one of                                            
     the three required                                                 
     areas of training.                                                 
        -more than 10 hazmat  ....................  $800 and up.        
         employees..                                                    
        -10 hazmat employees  ....................  $500 and up.        
         or less..                                                      
    Failure to maintain       172.704.............                      
     training records.                                                  
        -more than 10 hazmat  ....................  800 and up.         
         employees..                                                    
        -10 hazmat employees  ....................  $500 and up.        
         or less..                                                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         PART 173--REQUIREMENTS                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overpack Requirements (Sec.                                             
 173.25)                                                                
    Failure to mark an        173.25(a)(4)........  $3,000.             
     overpack with a                                                    
     statement indicating                                               
     that the inside                                                    
     packages comply with                                               
     prescribed                                                         
     specifications when                                                
     specification packaging                                            
     is required..                                                      
Reconditioner Requirements                                              
 (Sec. 173.28):                                                         
    Representing, marking,    173.28(c) & (d).....  $6,000 to $10,800.  
     or certifying a drum as                                            
     a reconditioned UN                                                 
     standard packaging,                                                
     when the drum did not                                              
     meet a UN standard..                                               
    Marking an incorrect      173.28(b)(2)(ii)....                      
     registration number on                                             
     a reconditioned                                                    
     packaging.                                                         
        -incorrect number...  ....................  $800.               
        -fraudulent use of    ....................  $7,200.             
         another                                                        
         reconditioner's                                                
         number..                                                       
    Failure to properly       173.28(b)(2)(i).....                      
     conduct alternate                                                  
     leakage test.                                                      
        -improper test......  ....................  $2,000.             
        -no test at all.....  ....................  $4,000.             
    Representing, marking,    173.28(d)...........  $500.               
     or certifying a drum as                                            
     altered from one                                                   
     standard to another,                                               
     when the drum had not                                              
     actually been altered..                                            
Portable and IM Tank                                                    
 Requirements (Secs.                                                    
 173.32(e), 173.32c,                                                    
 173.315)                                                               
    Offering hazardous        173.32(a)(1),         $3,500 to $7,000.   
     materials for             173.315(a),                              
     transportation in a DOT   Applicable                               
     specification or          Exemption.                               
     exemption portable tank                                            
     which is out of test..                                             
    Offering an IM portable   173.32c(c)..........  $3,500.             
     tank for transportation                                            
     that has not been                                                  
     hydrostatically tested                                             
     within the last 2\1/2\                                             
     years per 173.32b(a)..                                             
    Offering an IM portable   173.32c(c)..........  $3,500.             
     tank for transportation                                            
     that has not been                                                  
     visually inspected in                                              
     last five years per                                                
     173.32b(b)..                                                       

[[Page 2974]]

                                                                        
    Offering an IM portable   173.32c(c)..........  $7,000.             
     tank for transportation                                            
     that has not been                                                  
     visually or                                                        
     hydrostatically tested                                             
     as required, or failing                                            
     to remove the safety                                               
     relief valves during                                               
     testing..                                                          
    Offering a hazardous      173.32c(g)..........                      
     material for                                                       
     transportation in an IM                                            
     portable tank equipped                                             
     with bottom outlets,                                               
     when the material                                                  
     contained is prohibited                                            
     from being offered in                                              
     this type of packaging.                                            
        -Packing Group II...  ....................  $7,000.             
        -Packing Group III..  ....................  $5,000.             
    Failure to provide the    173.32c(k)..........  $6,000 to $12,000.  
     required outage for a                                              
     shipment of hazardous                                              
     materials, that results                                            
     in the release of                                                  
     hazardous materials..                                              
    Offering a hazardous      173.32(e)(3),         $3,000.             
     material for              173.32b(d).                              
     transportation in an                                               
     DOT, exemption, or IM                                              
     portable tank which                                                
     fails to bear markings                                             
     that it has been                                                   
     properly retested..                                                
Cylinder Retesters (Secs.                                               
 173.23, 173.34, and                                                    
 173.302):                                                              
    Failure to remark as DOT  173.23(c)...........  $600.               
     3AL an aluminum                                                    
     cylinder manufactured                                              
     under a former                                                     
     exemption..                                                        
    Certifying or marking as  173.34..............  $800.               
     retested a                                                         
     nonspecification                                                   
     cylinder.                                                          
    Marking a cylinder in or  173.34(c)(1)........  $6,000 to $10,800.  
     on the sidewall area                                               
     when not permitted by                                              
     the applicable                                                     
     specification.                                                     
    Failure to maintain       173.34(e)...........  $800.               
     legible markings on a                                              
     cylinder.                                                          
    Failure to perform        173.34(e)...........  $2,100 to $5,200.   
     hydrostatic retesting                                              
     at the minimum of 5/3                                              
     times the service                                                  
     pressure, or at the                                                
     minimum specified test                                             
     pressure.                                                          
    Failure to conduct a      173.34(e)(1)........  $2,100 to $5,200.   
     complete visual                                                    
     external and internal                                              
     examination.                                                       
    Failure to have a         173.34(e)(1)(i).....  $4,000.             
     retester's                                                         
     identification number                                              
     (RIN).                                                             
    Failure to have current   173.34)(e)(1)(i)....  $2,000.             
     authority due to                                                   
     failure to renew a                                                 
     retester's                                                         
     identification number.                                             
    Failure to have a         173.34(e)(1)(i).....  $7,200.             
     retester's                                                         
     identification number                                              
     and marking another RIN                                            
     on a cylinder.                                                     
    Marking a RIN before      173.34(e)(1)(ii)....  $800.               
     successfully completing                                            
     a hydrostatic retest.                                              
    Requalifying a DOT        173.34(e)(1)(ii)....  $4,200 to $10,400.  
     cylinder without                                                   
     performing the visual                                              
     inspection or                                                      
     hydrostatic retest.                                                
    Performing hydrostatic    173.34(e)(3)........  $2,100 to $5,200.   
     retesting without                                                  
     demonstrating the                                                  
     accuracy of the testing                                            
     equipment.                                                         
    Failure to hold           173.34(e)(3)........  $3,100.             
     hydrostatic test                                                   
     pressure for 30 seconds                                            
     or sufficiently longer                                             
     to allow for complete                                              
     expansion.                                                         
    Failure to perform a      173.34(e)(3)........  $3,100.             
     second retest, after                                               
     equipment failure, at a                                            
     pressure of 10% more or                                            
     100 psi more, whichever                                            
     is less (includes                                                  
     exceeding 90% of test                                              
     pressure prior to                                                  
     conducting a retest).                                              
    Failure to condemn a      173.34(e)(4)........  $10,000.            
     cylinder with permanent                                            
     expansion of 10% or                                                
     greater (5% for certain                                            
     exemption cylinders);                                              
     failure to condemn                                                 
     cylinders with evidence                                            
     of internal or external                                            
     corrosion, denting,                                                
     bulging, or rough usage.                                           
    Marking an FRP cylinder   Applicable Exemption  $6,000 to $10,800.  
     with steel stamps in                                               
     the FRP area of the                                                
     cylinder such that the                                             
     integrity of the                                                   
     cylinder is compromised.                                           
    Failure to keep complete                                            
     and accurate records of                                            
     cylinder reinspection                                              
     and retest.                                                        
        --No records kept...  ....................  $4,000.             
        --Incomplete or       173.34(e)(5)........  $1,000 to $3,000.   
         inaccurate records.                                            
    Improper marking of the   173.34(e)(5)........  $800                
     RIN or retest date on a                                            
     cylinder.                                                          
    Marking a DOT 3HT         173.34(e)(13) (iv)..  $6,000 to $10,800.  
     cylinder with a steel                                              
     stamp other than a low-                                            
     stress steel stamp.                                                
    Marking a ``+'' sign on   173.302(c)(3).......  $3,000 to $4,000.   
     a cylinder without                                                 
     determining the average                                            
     or maximum wall stress,                                            
     by calculation or                                                  
     reference to CGA                                                   
     Pamphlet C-5.                                                      
    Representing, marking,    171.2(c), Applicable  $2,000 to $6,000.   
     or certifying a           Exemption.                               
     cylinder as meeting the                                            
     requirements of an                                                 
     exemption, when the                                                
     cylinder was not                                                   
     maintained or retested                                             
     in accordance with the                                             
     exemption.                                                         
Rebuilder Requirements (Sec.                                            
 173.34):                                                               
    Representing a DOT-4      173.34(l)...........  $6,000 to $10,800.  
     series cylinder as                                                 
     meeting the                                                        
     requirements of the                                                
     Hazardous Materials                                                
     Regulations without                                                
     being authorized to do                                             
     so by the Associate                                                
     Administrator for                                                  
     Hazardous Materials                                                
     Safety.                                                            
Offeror Requirements                                                    
 (General):                                                             
    Offering a hazardous      Various.............                      
     material for                                                       
     transportation in an                                               
     unauthorized non-UN                                                
     standard or                                                        
     nonspecification                                                   
     packaging (includes the                                            
     failure to comply with                                             
     the terms of an                                                    
     exemption authorizing                                              
     the use of a                                                       
     nonstandard or                                                     
     nonspecification                                                   
     packaging).                                                        
        --Packing Group I     ....................  $9,000.             
         (includes Sec. 172                                             
         504 Table 1                                                    
         materials).                                                    
        --Packing Group II..  ....................  $7,000.             
        -Packing Group III..  ....................  $5,000.             
    Offering a hazardous      178.3(a), 178.503(a)  $3,600.             
     material for                                                       
     transportation in a                                                
     packaging that has                                                 
     successfully been                                                  
     tested to an applicable                                            
     UN standard, but is not                                            
     marked with the                                                    
     required UN marking.                                               
    Offering a hazardous      173.24(b)...........                      
     material for                                                       
     transportation in a                                                
     packaging that leaks                                               
     during conditions                                                  
     normally incident to                                               
     transportation.                                                    
        --Packing Group I     ....................  $12,000.            
         (includes Sec.                                                 
         172.504 Table 2                                                
         materials).                                                    
        --Packing Group II..  ....................  $9,000.             
        --Packing Group III.  ....................  $6,000.             
    Overfilling a package so  173.24(b)...........                      
     that the effectiveness                                             
     is substantially                                                   
     reduced.                                                           
        --Packing Group I     ....................  $9,000.             
         (includes Sec.                                                 
         172.504 Table 1                                                
         materials).                                                    
        --Packing Group II..  ....................  $6,000.             
        --Packing Group III.  ....................  $3,000.             
    Offering a hazardous      171.14..............                      
     material for                                                       
     transportation after                                               
     October 1, 1996, in an                                             
     unauthorized non-UN                                                
     standard packaging                                                 
     marked as manufactured                                             
     to a DOT specification.                                            

[[Page 2975]]

                                                                        
        --packaging meets     ....................  $3,000.             
         DOT specification.                                             
        --packaging does not  ....................  $5,000 to $9,000.   
         meet DOT                                                       
         specification.                                                 
Offeror Requirements (Class                                             
 1--Explosives):                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Failing to mark the       172.320.............  $1,200.             
     ``EX'' approval number                                             
     on a package containing                                            
     an explosive.                                                      
    Offering an unapproved    173.54 and 173.56(b)                      
     explosive for                                                      
     transportation.                                                    
        --Div 1.3 & 1.4       ....................  $5,0000 to $10,000. 
         fireworks meeting                                              
         the chemistry                                                  
         requirements (both                                             
         quantity and type)                                             
         of APA Standard 87-                                            
         1.                                                             
        --all other           ....................  $10,000 to $27,500. 
         explosives                                                     
         (including                                                     
         forbidden                                                      
         explosives).                                                   
    Offering a leaking or     173.54(c)...........  $10,000 to $27,500. 
     damaged package of                                                 
     explosives for                                                     
     transportation.                                                    
Offeror Requirements (Class                                             
 7--Radioactive Materials):                                             
    Offering a DOT            173.415(a), 173.461.                      
     specification 7A                                                   
     packaging without                                                  
     maintaining complete                                               
     documentation of tests                                             
     and an engineering                                                 
     evaluation or                                                      
     comparative data.                                                  
        -tests and            ....................  $8,400.             
         evaluation not                                                 
         performed.                                                     
        -complete records     ....................  $2,000 to $5,000.   
         not maintained.                                                
    Offering a Type B         173.416(b),                               
     packaging without         173.471(d).                              
     holding a valid NRC                                                
     approval certificate.                                              
        -never having         ....................  $2,500.             
         obtained one.                                                  
        -holding an expired   ....................  $1,000.             
         certificate.                                                   
    Offering a limited        177.421(d)..........  $5,000 and up.      
     quantity of radioactive                                            
     materials without                                                  
     marking the inner (or                                              
     single) packaging                                                  
     ``Radioactive.''                                                   
    Offering low specific     173.425(b)(9) &       $800.               
     activity (LSA)            (c)(7).                                  
     radioactive materials                                              
     consigned as exclusive                                             
     use without providing                                              
     instructions for                                                   
     maintenance of                                                     
     exclusive use shipment                                             
     controls.                                                          
    Offering a package that   173.441.............  $10,000 and up.     
     exceeds the permitted                                              
     limits for surface                                                 
     radiation or transport                                             
     index.                                                             
    Offering a package        173.443.............  $5,000 and up.      
     without determining the                                            
     level of removable                                                 
     external contamination,                                            
     or that exceeds the                                                
     limit for removable                                                
     external contamination.                                            
    Storing packages of       173.447(a)..........  $5,000 and up.      
     radioactive material in                                            
     a group with a total                                               
     transport index more                                               
     than 50.                                                           
    Offering special form     173.476(a) & (b)....  $2,500.             
     radioactive materials                                              
     without maintaining a                                              
     complete safety                                                    
     analysis or Certificate                                            
     of Competent Authority.                                            
Offeror Requirements                                                    
 (Cylinders):                                                           
    Offering a compressed     173.301(c)..........  $4,200 to $10,400.  
     gas for transportation                                             
     in a cylinder that is                                              
     out of test.                                                       
    Failure to check each     173.303(d)..........  $5,000.             
     day the pressure of a                                              
     cylinder charged with                                              
     acetylene that is                                                  
     representative of that                                             
     day's compression,                                                 
     after the cylinder has                                             
     cooled to a settled                                                
     temperature, or failure                                            
     to keep a record of                                                
     this test for at least                                             
     30 days.                                                           
    Offering a limited        173.306(a)(3), (h)..  $1,500 to $6,000.   
     quantity of a                                                      
     compressed gas in a                                                
     metal container for the                                            
     purpose of propelling a                                            
     nonpoisonous material                                              
     and failing to heat the                                            
     cylinder until the                                                 
     pressure is equivalent                                             
     to the equilibrium                                                 
     pressure at 130 deg. F,                                            
     without evidence of                                                
     leakage, distortion, or                                            
     other defect.                                                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         PART 178--REQUIREMENTS                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third-Party Packaging                                                   
 Certifiers (General):                                                  
    Issuing a certification   1171.2(e),            $500 per item.      
     that directs the          1178.2(b),                               
     packaging manufacturer    178.3(a),                                
     to improperly mark a      178.503(a).                              
     packaging (e.g., steel                                             
     drum to be marked UN                                               
     4G).                                                               
Manufacturers (General):                                                
    Failure to insure a       178.601(b)..........                      
     packaging certified as                                             
     meeting the UN standard                                            
     is capable of passing                                              
     the required                                                       
     performance testing.                                               
        --Packing Group I     ....................  $10,800.            
         (includes Sec.                                                 
         172.504 Table 1                                                
         materials).                                                    
        --Packing Group II..  ....................  $8,400.             
        --Packing Group III.  ....................  $6,000.             
    Certifying a packaging    178.601(d)..........                      
     as meeting a UN                                                    
     standard when design                                               
     qualification testing                                              
     was not performed.                                                 
        --Packing Group I     ....................  $10,800.            
         (includes Sec. 172                                             
         504 Table 2                                                    
         materials).                                                    
        --Packing Group II..  ....................  $8,400.             
        --Packing Group III.  ....................  $6,000.             
    Failure to conduct        178.601(e)..........  $2,000 to $10,800.  
     periodic retesting on                                              
     UN standard packaging                                              
     (depending on length of                                            
     time and Packing Group).                                           
    Failure to properly       ....................                      
     conduct testing for UN                                             
     standard packaging                                                 
     (e.g., testing with                                                
     less weight than marked                                            
     on packaging; drop                                                 
     testing from lesser                                                
     height than required;                                              
     failing to condition                                               
     fiberboard boxes before                                            
     design test).                                                      
        --design              178.601(d)..........  $2,000 to $10,800.  
         qualification                                                  
         testing.                                                       
        --periodic retesting  178.601(e)..........  $500 to $10,800.    

[[Page 2976]]

                                                                        
    Marking, or causing the   178.2(b), 178.3(a),   $7,200.             
     marking of, a packaging   178.503(a)(8).                           
     with the symbol of a                                               
     manufacturer or                                                    
     packaging certifier                                                
     other than the company                                             
     that actually                                                      
     manufactured or                                                    
     certified the packaging.                                           
    Failure to maintain       178.601(1)..........                      
     testing records.                                                   
        --design              ....................  $1,000 to $5,000.   
         qualification                                                  
         testing.                                                       
        --periodic retesting  ....................  $500 to $2,000.     
    Improper marking of UN    178.503.............  $500 per item.      
     certification.                                                     
    Manufacturing DOT         171.14                                    
     specification packaging                                            
     after October 1, 1994                                              
     that is not marked as                                              
     meeting a UN                                                       
     performance standard.                                              
        --if packaging does   ....................  $3,000.             
         meet DOT                                                       
         specification.                                                 
        --if packaging does   ....................  $6,000 to $10,800.  
         not meet DOT                                                   
         specification.                                                 
Manufacturing Requirements--                                            
 Drums                                                                  
    Failure to properly       178.604(b)(1)                             
     conduct production                                                 
     leakproofness test.                                                
        --improper testing..  173.28..............  $2,000.             
        --no testing          ....................  $2,000 to $10,800.  
         performed.                                                     
Manufacturing Requirements--                                            
 Cylinders                                                              
    Manufacturing,            Various.............  $7,500 to $15,000.  
     representing, marking,                                             
     certifying, or selling                                             
     a DOT high-pressure                                                
     cylinder that was not                                              
     inspected and verified                                             
     by an approved                                                     
     independent inspection                                             
     agency.                                                            
    Failure to have a         Various.............  $800.               
     registration number or                                             
     failure to mark the                                                
     registration number on                                             
     the cylinder.                                                      
    Marking another           Various.............  $7,200.             
     company's number on a                                              
     cylinder.                                                          
    Failure to mark the date  178 65-14...........  $3,000.             
     of manufacture or lot                                              
     number on a DOT-39                                                 
     cylinder.                                                          
    Failure to have a         Various.............  $5,000.             
     chemical analysis                                                  
     performed in the US for                                            
     a material manufactured                                            
     outside the US/failure                                             
     to obtain a chemical                                               
     analysis from the                                                  
     foreign manufacturer.                                              
    Failure to meet wall      Various.............  $7,500 to $15,000.  
     thickness requirements.                                            
    Failure to heat treat     Various.............  $5,000 to $15,000.  
     cylinders prior to                                                 
     testing.                                                           
    Failure to conduct a      Various.............  $2,500 to $6,200.   
     complete visual                                                    
     internal examination.                                              
    Failure to conduct a      Various.............  $2,500 to $6,200.   
     hydrostatic test, or                                               
     conducting a                                                       
     hydrostatic test with                                              
     inaccurate test                                                    
     equipment.                                                         
    Failure to conduct a      Various.............  $7,500 to $15,000.  
     flattening test.                                                   
    Failure to conduct a      178.65-11...........  $5,000 to $15,000.  
     burst test on a DOT-39                                             
     cylinder.                                                          
    Failure to have           Various.............  $7,500 to $15,000.  
     inspections and                                                    
     verifications performed                                            
     by an inspector.                                                   
    Failure to maintain a     Various.............                      
     required inspector's                                               
     reports.                                                           
        --no reports at all.  ....................  $5,000.             
        --incomplete or       ....................  $1,000 to $4,000.   
         inaccurate reports.                                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Other Requirements                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrier Requirements:                                                   
    Transporting packages of  177.834(a) & (g)....  $3,000.             
     hazardous materials                                                
     that have not been                                                 
     secured against                                                    
     movement within the                                                
     vehicle.                                                           
    Transporting explosives   177.835(i)..........  $5,200.             
     in a motor vehicle                                                 
     containing metal or                                                
     other articles or                                                  
     materials likely to                                                
     damage such explosives                                             
     or any package in which                                            
     they are contained,                                                
     without segregating in                                             
     different parts of the                                             
     load or securing them                                              
     in place in or on the                                              
     motor vehicle and                                                  
     separated by bulkheads                                             
     or other suitable means                                            
     to prevent such damage.                                            
    Transporting railway      171.2(b)............  $7,000.             
     track torpedoes outside                                            
     of flagging kits, in                                               
     violation of E-7991.                                               
    Transporting Class 7       177.842(a).........  $5,000 and up.      
     (radioactive) material                                             
     having a total                                                     
     transport index more                                               
     than 50.                                                           
    Transporting Class 7       177.842(b).........  $5,000 and up.      
     (radioactive) material                                             
     without maintaining the                                            
     required separation                                                
     distance.                                                          
    Failing to comply with    171.2(b)............                      
     requirements of an                                                 
     exemption authorizing                                              
     the transportation of                                              
     Class 7 (radioactive)                                              
     material having a total                                            
     transport index more                                               
     than 50.                                                           
        -failure to have the  ....................  $5,000.             
         radiation survey                                               
         record required by                                             
         Paras.  7(f),                                                  
         8(b)(3).                                                       
        -failure to have      ....................  $500 each.          
         other accompanying                                             
         documents required                                             
         by para. 8(b).                                                 
        -other violations of  ....................  $5,000 and up.      
         Paras.  7 and 8.                                               
Exemptions:                                                             
    Offering or transporting  171.2(a), (b), (c),   $1,000 + $500 each  
     hazardous materials, or   Various.              add'l year.        
     otherwise performing a                                             
     function, covered by an                                            
     exemption after                                                    
     expiration of the                                                  
     exemption.                                                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 2977]]

    4. In Appendix A to subpart D of part 107, under the section 
entitled ``Penalty Increase for Multiple Counts'' (Section IV.C.), the 
parenthetical phrase ``($27,500 for a violation occurring after January 
21, 1997)'' is added after ``$25,000.'

PART 171--GENERAL INFORMATION, REGULATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS

    5. The authority citation for part 171 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101-5127, 44701; 49 CFR 1.45 and 1.53; 
Pub. L. 101-410, Sec. 4 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); Pub. L. 104-134, 
Sec. 31001.

    6. In Sec. 171.1, as revised in the final rule under Docket No. HM-
200 on January 8, 1997 (62 FR 1215), new paragraph (c) is added to read 
as follows:


Sec. 171.1  Purpose and scope.

* * * * *
    (c) Any person who knowingly violates a requirement of the Federal 
hazardous material transportation law, an order issued thereunder, 
subchapter A, an exemption issued under subchapter A, of this 
subchapter, is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 
($27,500 for a violation that occurs after January 21, 1997) and not 
less than $250 for each violation. When the violation is a continuing 
one and involves the transporting of hazardous materials or the causing 
of them to be transported or shipped, each day of the violation 
constitutes a separate offense. Any person who knowingly violates 
Sec. 171.2(g) of this subchapter or willfully violates a provision of 
the Federal hazardous material transportation law or an order or 
regulation issued thereunder shall be fined under Title 18, United 
States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 14, 1997, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR part 1.
Kelley S. Coyner,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-1398 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P