Integrated service provider ST Aerospace said it is disappointed with a press release from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) relating to a proposal to fine the firm US$1.025 million.

This is for alleged violations of the regulator's workplace drug and alcohol testing programme.

The civil penalty is for the hiring of 90 people in the ST Aerospace's U.S. facility ST Aerospace San Antonio LP.

According to FAA's announcement released on January 20, the regulator alleged that San Antonio Aerospace LP had violated safety regulations when it failed to conduct the required pre-employment drug tests and did not receive verified negative drug test results before hiring them.

FAA said the violations occurred between March 24, 2007, and May 8, 2008, which was prior to the company's name change in November 2009.

In the FAA release, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said: "Required pre-employment drug testing is an important part of the government's effort to ensure safety at all levels of transportation."

He added: "We take these violations very seriously."

In response, ST Aerospace said in a statement on January 21 that it takes "safety obligations seriously and has in fact addressed the issues raised by the FAA way back in 2008".

ST Aerospace said that while it is concerned with the FAA's notice, it is "comfortable" that it has cooperated with the regulator and has implemented quality controls to comply with the drug-testing standards.

The company said that the employees referred in the FAA notice have passed the drug tests and that effective controls have been put in place to comply with the FAA's drug testing standards.