• Function Specific Training For Drivers Means

Per the DOT regulations (Title 49, § 172.702) any employee defined as a hazmat employee is required to be trained. So, you ask, who is a hazmat employee? The definition is found in (Title 49 § 171.8) and includes employees that:.

Load, unload, or handle hazardous materials. Prepare, package, label or mark hazardous materials. Operate a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials Now of course not all employees at your facility need to be DOT trained, but depending on who is responsible for different operations you may have to train more employees than you would like. So, for a typical automotive service facility, employees that may need to be trained include:. Parts Managers – they oversee the transportation of hazmat. Parts Shipping and Receiving – they load and unload hazmat and might even prepare shipping papers. Other employees that may need to be trained include:.

Parts Drivers – they may transport hazmat. Service Technicians – they may prepare and package hazmat (e.g., a battery being returned to the manufacturer. The service employee prepares the battery for shipment and may even place it in the shipping container). Service Managers – they may oversee hazmat employee operations and may sign for hazmat shipments with the disposal of their facilities wastes.

Function Specific Training For Drivers Means

Supervisors must also be trained, even if the supervisor is not directly responsible for any of the responsibilities listed above. Indirectly, supervisors are responsible for their employees, and their employees’ hazmat related duties.

What training is required? Details of training required per job function are determined by the hazmat employer. The DOT does, however, require certain categories of training. General Awareness Training: At a minimum, all hazmat employees must be given a general understanding of the entire hazardous materials transportation program, so that they know how their jobs fit into the system. Function-Specific Training: Each employee (by job function) also must be trained on any requirements that he or she must meet in performing transportation-related duties. Safety Training: Persons handling or potentially exposed to hazardous materials during the cycle of transportation (drivers, loaders, loading dock workers, warehousemen, etc.) must be trained in safe handling and emergency response procedures applicable to the hazards to which they may be exposed. Security Awareness Training: Each hazmat employee must be trained to recognize and protect against potential terrorist threats involving hazardous material shipments.

Security Plan Training: For operations that require a written security plan, each hazmat employee must also be trained in company security objectives, organizational structure and specific procedures, and responsibilities or actions required from them. Driver Training: In addition, specific requirements for training of hazardous materials drivers are found at 49 CFR Part 177 and Parts 350-399. The first five categories are generally referred to as “hazmat employee” training.

How often must training be updated or repeated? Hazmat employee training must be updated any time DOT issues any new or revised rule applicable to the duties of a particular employee 49 CFR §172.702(b). The training must be completed by each employee “prior to performance of a function affected by the new or revised rule” see 61 FR 27169, May 30, 1996. Hazmat employee training must be repeated in its entirety (not just updated or refreshed) at least every three years see 49 CFR §172.704(c)(2). This “recurrent” training must include testing and formal recordkeeping. If an employee has not been re-trained within the past three years, that employee cannot perform any hazmat employee functions until trained.

Do I have to have hazardous materials training just to sign a manifest?