Who Needs Training?

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires both initial and recurrent training for anyone who offers, loads, unloads, handles, packs, marks, labels and/or documents hazardous materials shipments.

This includes: forwarders, importers, brokers, freight consolidators, shippers, handling agents, steamship lines, truckers, government contractors, DoD shipping and warehouse personnel, and air carrier handling agents. Often overlooked are local pick-up or delivery drivers, and warehouse personnel that necessitate training too—not just those preparing the shipments.

Because of recent incidents involving hazardous materials in transportation, the DOT, along with the Federal Aviation Administration and others regulatory (gov't) agencies, have increased enforcement of training-related regulations (requirements), imposing severe fines for noncompliance. Each state requires commercial transportation vehicles operators of a defining weight to obtain a CDL (commercial driver’s license). In addition to a CDL, drivers must have a hazmat endorsement if he carries hazardous materials and/or dangerous goods in transportation for prescribed weights and classifications.

In addition to the state requirements, FAA and TSA are looking at those individuals who handle freight being offered into air transportation. They are requiring those individuals be trained in hazardous materials packaging, marking, labeling, documentation, and procedures for all hazardous materials and dangerous goods—even if not regulated under CDL and hazmat endorsement requirements. This ruling ensures shipments are delivered, securely and safely, to the air carriers.

Like the DOT, the FAA and TSA, require individuals who handle hazardous materials freight be trained in packaging, marking, labeling, documentation and all other procedures related to the transportation of hazardous materials by air carrier.