So Who Has To Undergo Hazardous Material Training?
Any employee who comes into contact with hazardous material must have proper training. This includes employees who work in shipping and receiving, those who load or unload hazardous materials and those who operate vehicles, including ships and trains, that transport such material.
Even working with a small volume of hazardous material necessitates training. If you move hazardous material, even a small amount, without the proper training, you and your employer are open to facing fines and penalties from the DOT, or Department of Transportation. Supervisors and those who manage employees who must undergo hazardous training need to receive training as well. This is necessary so that they know who needs to be trained and also so they can spot a hazardous situation that might be occurring in the workplace.
All hazardous material training must be properly documented. Without proof of training, the DOT can assume no training was done. Civil penalties can result in a $50,000 dollar fine per day. If any injuries occur, the fine can be as high as $100,000 per day. Federal regulations state that all employees who transport or handle hazardous materials must undergo proper training.
Can I Use Training I Received With A Previous Employer?
You can, if you can provide proper documentation of this training, and if the training is relevant to your current position. It also must have been completed within the past 3 years. You should be able to obtain record of your training from your previous employer or from the agency that offered it. Remember it is your responsibility to get proof. If your current employer is not satisfied you will have to undergo new certification.
Some hazardous training must be updated on a 12-month basis. The materials you receive when you take the initial course should note when recertification is necessary. If not, feel free to contact either the DOT or OSHA helpline and ask a customer service representative. It is better to contact one of these agencies as opposed to a private company that offers such training, just to make sure you don’t wind up taking training that was not necessary.
The OSHA training most closely related to handling hazardous materials is called HAZWOPER. Most Hazmat (hazardous materials) training providers will also offer HAZWOPER certification, and this is widely recognized by employers.
Where Can I Obtain Hazardous Materials Training?
Many private companies offer hazardous materials training. These courses need to be certified and approved by the DOT or by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. If you take any courses online, the websites will prominently display notice that the courses being offered are certified by one or both agencies. Some courses need to be taken at a company training facility. Course descriptions will detail where and how they can be taken.
What Do The Hazardous Training Courses Cover?
It depends on the length and specifics of the course involved. Most courses will involve the identification and classification of hazardous materials, disposal restrictions and state versus federal regulations. You should also learn about recordkeeping and emergency response protocols. Shipping, including pre-transport, is usually covered as well as loading and unloading regulations.