Upcoming Ground DOT / 49 CFR Hazmat Training Classes

Sep 14 49 CFR 2-Day Initial Training Where: Los Angeles, CA Tuition: $695.00		Sep 14 49 CFR and IATA 3-Day Initial Training Where: Los Angeles, CA Tuition: $890.00		Sep 14 Multi-Modal 4-Day Initial Training Where: Los Angeles, CA Tuition: $1,160.00
Sep 21 49 CFR 2-Day Initial Training Where: Monroe Township, NJ Tuition: $695.00		Sep 21 49 CFR and IATA 3-Day Initial Training Where: Monroe Township, NJ Tuition: $890.00		Sep 24 Multi-Modal 4-Day Initial Training Where: Monroe Township, NJ Tuition: $1,160.00

Hazardous Materials Training for Ground DOT / 49 CFR Introduction

Anyone involved in the transportation of hazardous materials must be properly trained to do so, under the requirements described in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), Subpart H, governed by the United States Department of Transportation. These regulations are also referred to as the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

This includes all hazmat employees (and supervisors) of small and large businesses, and even self-employed persons who ship hazardous materials frequently or infrequently. All of these people require hazmat training. Some examples include shipping personnel who prepare and sign shipping papers (hazmat certification) for ground transport, personnel responsible for classifying and identifying hazmat, and any other person who meets the definition of a hazmat employee needing an understanding of reading and interpretting 49 CFR regulatory guidelines.

Basic Training Requirements

All hazmat employees must be trained in the following areas dealing with hazardous materials, as required in DOT 49 CFR §172.704(a):

• General awareness training - provides familiarity with the regulatory requirements and allows employees to recognize hazardous materials in the workplace environment,
• Function-specific training - detailed job-specific training in preparing, handling or transporting shipments of hazardous materials,
• Safety training - includes emergency response and measures to be taken in case of an emergency or hazmat spill, and
• Security training - security risks associated with dangerous goods transport and the enhancement of transportation safety.

Initial Training Requirements

Employers and employees involved with hazardous materials in the United States must adhere to the training requirements as described in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart H, governed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. For all modes and job functions, the following regulations apply (DOT 49 CFR §172.702):

• It is the employer's responsibility to ensure their employees receive training,
• The employee may not perform their duties unless they are under direct supervision of a properly trained and knowledgable hazmat employee, until they have received training,
• Employees must be trained within 90 days of hire or change in job function(s),
• The employer may provide training or use an outside source, and
• The training must include a test.

Recurrent Training Requirements

Regulatory law for recurrent hazmat training requires that all hazmat employees are to receive mandatory recurrent training within a three-year time period, under Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, for shipping hazardous materials by ground transport within the United States.

Recurrent training is also required whenever changes to the regulations have been made pertaining to the hazardous materials that you transport or regarding your job function.

Hazmat Training Record Retention

A record of current training, including the last three years, must be kept and maintained for each hazmat employee while they remain an employee, and for a period of 90 days after the employee leaves(49 CFR, §172.704(d)).

The following information must be kept in the record:

• Hazmat employee's name,
• Most recent training completion date,
• Description, copy or location of training materials used to meet the requirements from paragraph §172.704(a),
• Name and address of the person providing the training, and
• Certification that the hazmat employee has been trained and tested.