Also provided is detailed information regarding the handling and care of hazardous materials. HAZMAT Training Requirements

It is absolutely essential to the livelihood and well being of employees and organizations that anyone involved in transporting hazmat is adequately tested, trained and certified. Training can mean the difference between life and death for individuals working with hazardous materials. Fortunately there are federal and state regulations that currently govern the types of training employers must offer with respect to hazmat. This training is standardized to ensure that ell people handling hazardous materials are adequately informed and trained regarding transportation, handling and any problems they might encounter during daily operations with hazmat materials.

HAZMAT training is any training for employees that operate a motor vehicle that transports HAZMAT (hazardous materials) (OHMS, 2005). This training is also applicable to any persons involved in loading or unloading hazmat from a vehicle, anyone testing packages used to transport hazmat materials, anyone repairing or operating hazmat vehicles and anyone responsible for the safety of hazmat while in transit (OHMS, 2005). People managing employees that operate or work with hazmat must also be trained in hazmat safety so they can monitor employees training and progress. Training is vital to the health and well being of all individuals involved in hazmat.

Training according to the Department of Labor must include a systematic or consistent approach that "ensures that a hazmat employee has knowledge of hazardous materials including HMR and can perform essential functions" (OHMS, 2005). Federal regulations regulate transportation and training of hazmat materials in the U.S. The goal of training includes information all employees of the risks associated with transporting hazmat but also ensuring the safely and well being of employees involved in hazmat transportation. All training programs must meet regulations outlined by sections of Title 49 of the Federal Code of Regulations (OHMS, 2005).

Employees...

Basic elements of a hazmat training program must include education regarding hazmat in general, "function specific" training which may include teaching an employee about handling certain hazardous materials, information about personal safety and employee safety, training on security and hazard awareness and driver training (OHMS, 2005). Drivers transporting hazmat goods must be trained to operate a commercial vehicle safely to reduce the risk of injury or death resulting from an accident.
HAZMAT training is vital for all employees new to hazmat job functions or any employee that might participate in hazmat job responsibilities during the course of their employment. Regulations stipulate that training must be accomplished within 90 days of hire or within 90 days of any change that involves an employee working with hazmat materials (OHMS, 2005). In addition formal training must be continued every three years (OHMS, 2005). Both employees and employers are required to keep legitimate records of all hazmat training. These records should include but are not limited to the employees name, times and date of training, material covered during training, location of training, name of trainer and employee certification of successful training and completion of any tests involved (OHMS, 2005).

References

CDL. (2005). DOL - CDL FAQs." CDL Department of Licensing. 25, Sept 2005:

http://www.dol.wa.gov/ds/cdlschoolbusfaq.htm

EHS. (2005). "DOT definition of hazardous material." 26, Sept 2005:

http://www.ehs.neu.edu/dot/definition.htm

OHMS. (2005). "Hazardous Materials Safety." 27, Sept. 2005:

http://hazmat.dot.gov/training/training.htm

OHMS. (2005). "Hazardous Materials Safety Regulations and Interpretations." 26, Sept. 2005: http://www.myregs.com/dotrspa/

ILPI. (2004 - Dec). "MSDS Hyper Glossary - Hazard Characteristic Code." 27, Sept. 2005: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/hcc.html

Hazmat