Security training

Scope

Hazmat employers are required to give each hazmat employee security awareness training.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 172.704 — Training requirements

Key definitions

• Hazmat employee: A person who is:
  • Employed on a full-time, part time, or temporary basis by a hazmat employer and who in the course of such full time, part time or temporary employment directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety;
  • Self-employed (including an owner-operator of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft) transporting hazardous materials in commerce who in the course of such self-employment directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety;
  • A railroad signalman; or
  • A railroad maintenance-of-way employee.
  This term includes an individual, employed on a full time, part time, or temporary basis by a hazmat employer, or who is self-employed, who during the course of employment:
  • Loads, unloads, or handles hazardous materials;
  • Designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs, or tests a package, container or packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in transporting hazardous material in commerce.
  • Prepares hazardous materials for transportation;Is responsible for safety of transporting hazardous materials;
  • Operates a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials.
• Hazmat employer: A person who employs or uses at least one hazmat employee on a full-time, part time, or temporary basis; and who:
  • Transports hazardous materials in commerce;
  • Causes hazardous materials to be transported in commerce; or
  • Designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs or tests a package, container, or packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold by that person as qualified for use in transporting hazardous materials in commerce.
  A person who is self-employed (including an owner-operator of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft) transporting materials in commerce; and who:
  • Transports hazardous materials in commerce;
  • Causes hazardous materials to be transported in commerce; or
  • Designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs or tests a package, container, or packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold by that person as qualified for use in transporting hazardous materials in commerce.
  A department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government, or an authority of a State, political subdivision of a State, or an Indian tribe; and who:
  • Transports hazardous materials in commerce;
  • Causes hazardous materials to be transported in commerce; or
  • Designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs or tests a package, container, or packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold by that person as qualified for use in transporting hazardous materials in commerce.

Summary of requirements

In-depth security training 172.704(a)(5). In addition to the above security awareness training, hazmat employees of employers that are required to have a security plan must receive in-depth security training on the security plan and its implementation. Hazmat employees who handle materials covered by the plan, perform a function related to the materials covered by the plan, or are responsible for implementing the plan must receive in-depth security training.

In-depth security training must include:

• Company security objectives,
• Organizational security structure,
• Specific security procedures,
• Specific security duties and responsibilities for each employee, and
• Actions to take in the event of a security breach.

For more information on security plans see Security Plans.