Hazmat training

Scope

PHMSA’s training requirements apply to all hazmat employees who perform any function that is governed by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 172, Subpart H — Training

Key definitions

• Hazmat employee: A person who is employed by a hazmat employer and who directly affects hazmat transportation including:
  • An owner-operator of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft that transports hazmat; and
  • A person (including a self-employed person) who:
    • Loads, unloads, or handles hazmat;
    • Designs, manufactures, inspects, marks, reconditions, repairs, tests a package or component, or otherwise represents packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of hazmat;
    • Prepares hazmat for transportation;
    • Is responsible for safety of transporting hazmat; or
    • Operates a vehicle used to transport hazmat.
• Hazmat employer: A person who uses one or more employees in connection with:
  • Transporting hazmat in commerce;
  • Causing hazmat to be transported or shipped in commerce; or
  • Designing, manufacturing, inspecting, marking, reconditioning, repairing, testing a package or component, or otherwise representing packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of hazmat.
• Modal-specific: Referring to one transportation mode: highway, rail, vessel, or aircraft.
• Recurrent training: Training given at intervals to provide refresher training as well as an update on regulatory changes to ensure all hazmat employees’ knowledge remains at the required level to safely carry out their job responsibilities.
• Safety training: Training that covers the hazards presented by hazardous materials, safe handling, emergency response information, and methods and procedures for accident avoidance.
• Security awareness training: Training that is intended to provide a general understanding of the security risks associated with hazardous materials transportation and the methods designed to enhance transportation security. It should identify possible practical indicators of a potential security threat.
• Training program: A systematic method that has been developed for providing training, which consists of associated material, such as handouts, overheads, videos, exercises, tests, quizzes, and instructor’s notes or course outline. The training program may be a tutored or self-study course.

Summary of requirements

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) training standards outline the minimum requirements needed to ensure hazmat employees receive proper training in the required areas of:

• General awareness/familiarization,
• Function-specific,
• Safety,
• Security awareness,
• In-depth security (when applicable), and
• Modal specific (driver).

Training for all hazmat employees. All hazmat employees must be trained in the following areas:

• General awareness/familiarization,
• Function-specific,
• Safety, and
• Security awareness.

Exception. Safety training is not required for hazmat employees who only repair, modify, recondition, or test specification packagings.

In-depth security. Only hazmat employees of businesses that are required to have a security plan in accordance with Subpart I of 49 CFR 172 are required to have in-depth security training.

Modal-specific. Applicable modal-specific training, such as driver training, is required for all hazmat employees who must comply with specific modal requirements.