Dangerous Goods Shipping Training: Who Needs It and What It Covers

The transportation of hazardous materials requires an awareness of all details and a full understanding of classifications, packaging, markings, labeling, documentation, and transportation requirements. Some workers may be classified as hazmat employees who will require proper training based on their job duties. Dangerous Goods Shipping Training ensures the employees receive the information that is necessary for the duties they perform.

Who NeedsDangerous Goods Shipping Training?

An employee need not perform any functions daily associated with hazardous materials to qualify as a hazmat employee. According to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), a hazmat employee is someone whose duty involves or authorizes them to affect the transportation of hazardous materials in any capacity. These functions range from preparing a shipment, selecting or inspecting a package, loading or unloading materials, preparing shipping documents, operating a vehicle, and any other duties as listed in 49 CFR 172.900(a)(1).

Therefore, when considering who needs Dangerous Goods Shipping Training, each employer should examine each employee to make sure that each is trained adequately.

What DoesHazmat Shipping TrainingEntail?

The necessary content of the training that is provided to employees is generally defined in 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart H. This part divides the training courses into “general awareness and familiarization, function-specific training, safety training, and security awareness training.” The training provided to a specific group, an in-depth security training course, applies when the employer maintains a security plan. Similarly, driver-specific training can apply to a group of hazmat employees who operate a vehicle.

First, general awareness training acquaints an employee with the HMR and enables them to identify hazardous materials. Second, function-specific training provides information about the functions associated with an employee and how they apply to the HMR according to the description given in 49 CFR 172.910. Third, safety training orients trainees on safety practices, including health hazards, safe handling, emergency measures, and spill clean-up measures to promote accident prevention.

UnderstandingDOT Hazmat Security Awareness Training

DOT Hazmat Security Awareness Training deals with the security threats related to the transportation of hazardous materials and how various employees can deal with them. According to PHMSA, every hazmat employee should receive security awareness training. In-depth security training is distinct from security awareness training.

Employers should conduct this level of education for people who handle materials that have a security plan, execute functions that relate to security, or run a vessel under a security plan. An effective presentation of the topic should cover the details of the security plan an agency has in place and how it applies to their functions in terms of security. Employees should also understand the role of DOT Hazmat Security Awareness Training in the security awareness requirements that apply to their duties.

How IsHazmat Shipping TrainingProvided?

Hazmat Shipping Training should be presented in a manner that covers the required topics. The modalities allowed by PHMSA include classroom-based, online, computer-assisted, and virtual training. Furthermore, the training course can either be developed by the employer or a third-party training organization.

However, when using any of the mentioned methods, the mode of presentation should not diminish the expectation that the trainees will understand what they are supposed to do. The function-specific course should align with what an individual is expected to do as a professional according to the HMR guidelines.

When Should the Training Be Done?

According to 49 CFR 172.900(a)(2), new employees and those who change their functions should complete the relevant training course within 90 days of their change in status or employment. Before a person completes training, they can carry out any duties under the supervision of a qualified instructor who is knowledgeable in the area of training to which the employee is required to undergo. An employee should also receive recurrent training every three years.

An employer should conduct tests and authorize their hazmat employees and keep the recency of training course certificates. Certificates include all employee training records, such as the employee’s name, the date of the most recent training received, materials used in the course of training, the name and qualifications of the trainer, and approval of the personnel conducting the training and the test. These records should always be available to inspectors who request to view them.

The Closing Thoughts: Keeping Dangerous Goods Training Current

Understanding the scope of training begins with identifying the employees who are required to undergo training. From preparing the shipping documents to operating a vehicle, any of the activities covered by the HMR regulations may need to be trained according to function.

Therefore, employers should examine the scope of functions their employees perform and compare it against the training that they need to receive. Furthermore, one should examine the records of training and functions regularly to ensure that there is updated information and the instructions given are suitable for the tasks performed.