DOT Hazardous Material Training

Anyone employed by a hazardous materials employer or who is directly involved in the shipment of hazardous materials is required to receive and complete DOT HazMat training as defined by 49 CFR 172.704 within the first 90 days of employment, or change in job function, and must complete recurring training every three years.

A trained supervisor must directly oversee the employee of the hazardous material until they have completed their required training.

This requirement applies to employees, including an owner-operator of a motor vehicle that transports hazardous materials, and self-employed individuals who:

• Load, unload, or handle hazmat;
• Test, recondition, repair, modify, mark, inspect, or otherwise represent packaging as qualified for use in the transportation of hazardous materials;
• Prepare hazardous materials for transportation;
• Are responsible for the safety of transporting hazardous materials; or
• Operate a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials.

Training must be completed within 90 days of the first day of employment or the first day of a change in job function.

Until training is completed, a hazmat employee must be directly supervised by a person who has been trained.

Further, each hazmat employee must be provided with recurrent training at least once every 3 years. Hazardous Materials training requirements are found in 49 CFR, Part 172, Subpart H.

What’s covered in DOT HazMat training?

“General Awareness” Provides hazardous materials employees with familiarity with the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations and enables hazardous materials employees to recognize and identify hazardous materials.

All hazardous materials employees are required to have general awareness/familiarization training.

This course satisfies all ground hazardous materials carrier shipping requirements including FedEx and UPS.

This course is based on the requirements for general awareness training as specified in 49 CFR 172.704 (Subpart H). Although this course is meant to satisfy USDOT’s general training requirements, it does not cover function-specific training.

Upon completion of this course, you will receive a certificate of completion. This course can be taken as initial training or refresher training and must be refreshed a minimum of every 3 years.

“In-Depth Security” Provides a detailed understanding of a company’s security plan including company security objectives, specific security procedures, employee responsibilities, actions to take in the event of a security breach, and the organizational security structure.

This training must be provided to hazardous materials employees who handle or perform regulated functions related to the transportation of the materials covered by the security plan or who are responsible for implementing the security plan.

Topics may include:

• Security Objectives
• Specific Security Procedures
• Employee Responsibilities
• Actions to Take in the Event of a Security Breach
• Organizational Security Structure

“Security Awareness” Provides hazardous materials employees with a general understanding of the security risks associated with hazardous materials transportation and the methods designed to enhance transportation security.

All hazardous materials employees are required to have security awareness training.

Topics may include:

• Regulatory Requirements
• Potential Threats
• Potential Targets
• Prevention Tools

“Safety Training” Covers the hazards presented by hazardous materials, safe handling, emergency response information, and methods and procedures for accident avoidance.

Training that meets EPA and OSHA regulations may be acceptable in meeting the Hazardous Materials Regulations.

All hazardous materials employees are required to have safety training.

Topics may include:

• Emergency Response Information
• Emergency Response Telephone Numbers
• Means of Egress
• Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Prevention Plans
• General Safety and Health Provisions
• Employee Emergency Action Plans
• Bulk Delivery and Mixing Vehicles
• Contract Employer Responsibilities
• Mechanical Integrity
• Hazardous Waste Operations and
• Emergency Response
• New Technology Programs
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Respiratory Protection
• Fire Protection
• Fire Brigades
• Portable Fire Extinguishers
• Fixed Extinguishing Systems
• Fire Detection Systems
• Employee Alarm Systems
• Materials Handling and Storage
• Moving the Load
• Crawler Locomotives and Truck Cranes
• Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices
• Confined and Enclosed Spaces
• Precautions Before Entering

“Function Specific” Provides hazardous materials employees a detailed study of the requirements of the regulations applicable to the function(s) for which the person is responsible.

Training needs will depend on the company operations and the hazardous materials employee’s responsibilities.

Your responsibility is to identify the specific topics and extent to which topics are covered to meet your employees’ needs.