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Department of Ecology News Release - November 5, 2001
01-176
OLYMPIA - The Kelso office of United Parcel Service (UPS) has reached a settlement over a fine it received from the Department of Ecology (Ecology) for its handling of hazardous waste.
The settlement requires UPS to pay $16,000 to the state and to conduct a four-hour training session for its Kelso staff on how to properly handle hazardous waste and how to respond to releases of hazardous materials in transport.
UPS was fined because one of its drivers did not follow proper procedures when handling hazardous waste in Longview in August 2000. The driver left a leaking package of highly volatile, solvent-based stain at a computer store, causing a large-scale emergency response after some people became ill.
Strong odors causing headaches and nausea spurred a 911 call that led the Longview Fire Department to evacuate the computer store, a strip mall, an apartment building and a fast-food restaurant. Also, a major road was temporarily closed.
The original penalty, issued in November 2000, amounted to $22,000. UPS applied for relief from the penalty, and Ecology reduced the amount to $16,000 after reviewing additional information submitted by the company.
Contact: Sandy Howard, public information officer, 360-407-6239
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
