OAR 740-300-0100: Hazardous Materials Penalty Matrix

(1) The guidelines in sections (2) and (3) of this rule shall be applied by staff when determining the monetary penalties to be requested for violations of rules adopted under ORS 825.258, relating to hazardous materials. (2) Categories within the Hazardous Materials Matrix: (a) “Potential for Harm” establishes the potential of a violation to cause or contribute to a hazardous materials incident or to hamper emergency response efforts in the event of an incident. The factors contained within this category are: (A) Recordkeeping (not including shipping documents); (B) Driving/Transportation (including shipping documents); (C) Safety/Equipment (includes packaging); (D) Time/Mileage (extent of exposure); (E) Location (population/water, etc.); and (F) Potential Harm. (b) “Severity of Harm” is considered when there has been an incident involving a hazardous material. The factors contained within this category are: (A) Road and Traffic; (B) Environment; and (C) Life and Limb. (c) “Culpability” establishes the state of mind of the person or persons responsible for the violation. The factors contained within this category are: (A) Premeditation; (B) Willful Disregard; (C) Negligence; (D) Inadvertence; and (E) Role of Responsible Person. (3) Point values shall be assigned to one or more of the three categories depending on the violation. The Echelon value for each category shall be determined by the sum of the points assigned to each factor within the category: (a) “Potential for Harm.” Values for this category range from 0 to 44 points: (A) 1–9 points equals Echelon I; (B) 10–18 points equals Echelon II; (C) 19–27 points equals Echelon III; and (D) 28 or more points equals Echelon IV. (b) “Severity of Harm.” Values for this category range from 0 to 21 points: (A) 1–7 points equals Echelon III; and (B) 8 or more points equals Echelon IV. (c) “Culpability.” Values for this category range from 0 to 33 points: (A) 1–5 points equals Echelon I; (B) 6–14 points equals Echelon II; and (C) 15 or more points equals Echelon III. (4) The determination of the penalty amount for each violation shall be determined by the highest Echelon value within the three categories. (5) The Department shall provide a copy of a worksheet used to determine penalties with the notice to the defendant.