The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced $3,876,000 in fines against American Welding & Tank of Fremont, Ohio, for violating federal hazardous materials safety standards. FMCSA says it fined the company for manufacturing and selling unsafe nurse tanks, a type of cargo tank used to store and transport anhydrous ammonia, a hazardous material used in farming operations.
“Safety is our highest priority, and we are committed to protecting motorists from accidents involving the transport of hazardous materials,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We are sending a strong message that companies will face serious consequences when they do not make safety a top priority.”
FMCSA says it conducted a thorough safety investigation of AWT’s Fremont manufacturing plant following reports of safety defects with recently manufactured nurse tanks. After investigating the company’s welding practices and safety records, FMCSA says it discovered a clear pattern of AWT failing to manufacture, maintain, repair and sell nurse tanks that meet federal hazardous materials safety standards.
“When cargo tank manufacturers are not living up to federal safety standards, we will take action,” says FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. “Our agency is committed to using every resource available to keep our roads safe and save lives.”
