Proper training is not only a smart, strategic method for preventing incidents during the transportation of hazardous materials, it’s also the law. Training is mandatory for managers and employees who prepare hazmat shipments for ground, air, or vessel transportation.
Failure to comply with the US DOT hazmat training requirements is irresponsible and costly, as the penalties increase every year.
So who needs this training?
According to US DOT, any company with employees who perform any function in any way connected with hazardous materials and thus regulated by the US DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations must adhere to the training rules. That includes, but is not limited to, businesses that transport hazardous materials, but also any companies involved in loading or unloading said transport vehicles, businesses that package, mark or label hazardous materials for transportation, and companies like Skolnik that manufacture packaging for use in transporting hazardous materials.
There are no exemptions for smaller companies or self-employed individuals. If your work has you contributing to or supervising those contributing to the efforts to transport hazardous materials, you must be fully trained.
So what’s the training?
There are several categories of training. Hazmat employers are responsible for determining what depth of training is necessary for each of their employees, based on their job functions. The categories of training, per the DOT are:
- General Awareness Training
- Function-specific Training
- Safety Training
- Security Awareness Training
- Security Plan Training
- Driver Training
The field of hazardous material transportation is constantly changing, as such, hazmat employee training must be repeated in its entirety at least every three years.
The minimum fine for hazmat training violations is more than $500 per day, per employee, which is more than understandable when you consider the potential cost of any hazardous materials incidents. Click here to explore a detailed overview of Hazmat Transportation Training Requirements per US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.