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A Learning Experience. William VanSchalkwyk, MIT. An MIT Learning Experience. Prototype equipment with lithium batteries Was to be shipped by air; Not properly packaged or labeled;. Incident August, 2009. Fed-Ex Transfer Station, Medford, MA Package catches fire on conveyer system
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A Learning Experience William VanSchalkwyk, MIT
An MIT Learning Experience Prototype equipment with lithium batteries • Was to be shipped by air; • Not properly packaged or labeled;
Incident August, 2009 • Fed-Ex Transfer Station, Medford, MA • Package catches fire on conveyer system Responding Agencies: • Fed-Ex Responders • Medford Fire • Hazmat Unit • Medford Police • Medford BOH • MIT Police • FBI • Channels 7, 25, and other Media on-scene • FAA Notified
Consequences • FAA Enforcement: • FAA and MIT agree that safe and compliant air-shipping is our common goal. • FAA Penalty: $125,000 • MIT hosting Outreach (Today)
Incident Take-Aways • Dangerous Goods can originate for shipment from non-lab settings at the Institute; • Extra safeguards should be in place due to the high potential consequences of an incident like this one; • There are many other entities beyond MIT that could be susceptible to a similar incident; • All of us should be highly aware of these situations; • A learning organization applies lessons.