PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Safety Assistance Team conducts workshops specialized to meet the needs of industry or the public safety community. These free one-day events are scheduled across the nation (see below).

The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) specify requirements for the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials in commerce by rail car, aircraft, vessel, and motor vehicle. These comprehensive regulations govern transportation-related activities by offerors (e.g., shippers, brokers, forwarding agents, freight forwarders, and warehousers); carriers (e.g., common, contract, and private); packaging manufacturers, reconditioners, testers, and retesters; and independent inspection agencies.

The HMR apply to each person who performs, or causes to be performed, functions related to the transportation of hazardous materials such as determination of, and compliance with, basic conditions for offering; filling packages; marking and labeling packages; preparing shipping papers; handling, loading, securing and segregating packages within a transport vehicle, freight container or cargo hold; and transporting hazardous materials.

This free one-day workshop provides an overview of how to use the HMR and a summary of many of the requirements found in the HMR which can affect transportation safety to include: Training Requirements, Packaging, Hazard Communications, and Security.

Who should attend?

Anyone who offers or transports hazardous materials in commerce or has a desire to learn more about US DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations.

What does it cost?

Nothing.  There is no cost for this one-day workshop on the hazardous material regulations.  It is sponsored by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Is prior registration required?

Yes, please register yourself and any others you wish to attend with you.  Information about the venues for the workshops and to register can be found here:  Registration page for PHMSA HazMat Transportation One-Day Workshops in 2014.

What information is covered at the one-day workshops?

The transportation workshops provide a basic overview of the regulatory requirements – what they are, how they apply, and how to comply with them, for shipping and transporting Hazardous Materials. The workshops address the same information as the Hazmat Basics track given at the Multimodal Seminars and include overviews of the Training and Security Requirements.

Will attendance at this PHMSA workshop fulfill my HazMat Employee training requirements (initial and/or triennial)?

Likely not, since the PHMSA workshop does not include a test, which is a requirement of HazMat Employee training per 49 CFR 172.702(d).  Also, the requirement to provide Function Specific Training at 49 CFR 172.704(a)(2) may be difficult to meet given the general nature of the PHMSA workshop.  However, a HazMat Employer may use a PHMSA workshop as the basis for his/her HazMat Employee training and may meet the regulatory requirements by providing any additional Function Specific Training that may be necessary and by administering a test (either written or verbal).  The final requirement would be to document the completion of the training per the requirements of 49 CFR 172.704(d).

Where and when are the PHMSA workshops being held?

Currently there are 15 workshops scheduled through the middle of August 2014.  Check back to the PHMSA website (Seminars, Workshops, and Meetings) for up-to-date information.

These PHMSA workshops are a great learning opportunity for all experience and knowledge-levels of HazMat Employees.  If this isn’t enough for you, consider the PHMSA’s two-day multimodal seminars.  I will definitely attend at least one of these workshops in 2014, and I hope you do as well.  You will likely come away with an improved knowledge of the HMR including the requirement to provide training for all of your HazMat Employees.  That’s where I come in.  Contact me for your mandatory HazMat Employee training and your Hazardous Waste Personnel (RCRA) training as well.