Table of Contents
- Who Should Attend Hazardous Material Training?
- How Often Is Hazmat Training Required?
- How Often Must Training Be Updated?
- How Hazmat School Can Help
Hazardous materials are part of many workplaces, and laws require any employees who may come into contact with hazardous materials to get proper training. Failure to comply can lead to fines of $500 or more per day.
If you need training for your team, Hazmat School can help. Our classes keep you compliant, and since training is accessible online, it’s easy for your employees to get the training they need, when they need it.
Who Should Attend Hazardous Material Training?
If your employees perform any tasks directly related to the safety of hazardous materials transportation, they are regulated by U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) and require hazardous materials training. This doesn’t just mean workers who handle hazardous materials, though. It can also include anyone who researches information about hazardous materials to classify them, anyone who signs manifests or shipping documents related to hazardous waste and many other types of employees.
Some workers are also subject to hazardous materials training under rules established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor, the Environmental Protection Agency or other government agencies.
In addition, contractors who work with hazardous materials covered by U.S. DOT HMR need training, as does anyone who directly oversees or manages employees who are required to get hazardous materials training.
How Often Is Hazmat Training Required?
How often must DOT hazmat employees be trained? Once an employee takes on a role affected by U.S. DOT HMR or gets hired for such a role, the employer will want to make sure they have all the training they need. Hazmat employees also need to repeat their entire hazardous materials training every three years. This may include:
- General awareness training
- Job-specific training
- Safety training
- Security awareness and security plan training
- Driver training
This complete re-do of training must include all the testing and recordkeeping required of a worker’s initial training.
How Often Must Training Be Updated?
How often do you need a refresher training on hazmat? In general, hazmat employees will need updated training whenever DOT has new rules or updates rules that apply to that employee. For example, if DOT issues a change to rules for drivers who transport hazardous materials, drivers at your company will need to take a training refresher before they can get back on the road.
A second situation where updated training is mandatory is when a worker’s role changes and their new duties involve hazardous materials or a new job function involving hazardous materials. For example, if an employee previously classified hazardous materials but is now directly handling them, they will need updated training.
How Hazmat School Can Help
Hazmat School offers self-paced, online training for OSHA, DOT, IATA and EPA Hazardous Waste certification. It can be completed on any device and is available 24/7/365. Training is developed by Remote Instructors™ who are safety professionals.
Check out courses such as 49 CFR Basic DOT HM-181 Hazmat Training Course for Hazmat Haulers #1058, CA Title 22 Hazardous Waste Generator & DOT Hazmat Employee Training Course and others. You can also contact us at 877-OSHA-NOW (674-2669) to find out more about the training your workers may need.
Manages Hazmat School’s E-Learning courses and blog. Kirstie has extensive experience in the online training and education industry. Kirstie has worked with courses that offer a variety of safety and environmental certifications that satisfy OSHA, EPA and DOT requirements.
