The incidents involving hazardous materials that become a problem do not always occur when spills or damaged packages occur. Typically, the initial symptom is commonplace. A label is partially covered, paperwork has been misplaced or a case has been secured by habit without a check. That’s why Hazmat DOT Online Training should be a part of the job, not a separate one. A nuclear density gauge technician will require logical rules next to the truck, at the storage area, and on the return to a job site.
An online training option is a viable training solution for employees who package, mark, label, prepare, load, secure, transport, or supervise hazardous materials. The employer, however, should make sure that the training is relevant to the employee’s responsibilities, that there are tests, and records are kept.
The Job Title Is Usually the First Misunderstanding
- The driver is the first thought that many companies have. But the person involved in the task of preparing shipping documents or obtaining a regulated package can also have a hazmat function. The rules are based on the work that is being done, NOT the business card’s wording.
- Imagine a field technician bringing a gauge to a concrete testing site. While never being able to lift the case, a supervisor may approve the paperwork or still determine how the case will be transported. They share responsibilities and do not have to have the same training, but it should be function specific.
- American Technical Institute teaches students the skills of construction inspectors, construction technicians, construction engineering professionals, radiation safety officers, and construction site supervisors. If this is the type of team, then Hazmat DOT Online Training should be given following an evaluation of each individual’s specific role. That review should cover all those who:
- Chooses, seals, tags or labels a package
- Makes or reviews shipping documents
- Loads, unloads, braces or secures regulated material
- Drives a vehicle carrying the material
- Supervises one of these activities
An Online Course Cannot See the Back of Your Truck
Employees have a common starting point for online learning. It should include general awareness, function specific duties, safety and security awareness. Additionally, some staff have to be trained based on a necessary security plan. Nevertheless, a Course does not know where a Company stores its paperwork. It can’t detect the condition of the transport case or the loose wrench behind the driver’s seat. Hazmat DOT Online Training is best used in conjunction with a brief review by the employer conducted using the actual vehicle and equipment.
One of them is particularly beneficial. Have the employee check the package, describe the paperwork and demonstrate how the load is secured. Does that person see a problem before they leave? I think that speaks more to an employer than seeing somebody go through each screen in a course. According to American Technical Institute, their HAZMAT DOT course is based on 49 CFR 172, Subpart H. The course also aligns with the courses the course provides for training nuclear gauges, which makes sense for technicians transferring gauges from storage to field locations. It is still important to verify current information prior to registration.
The Trip Back Deserves More Attention
The morning is the time when the police are cautious. Cases are packed, papers are in order and the vehicle is still neat. At the end of the day, the truck might have muddy boots, samples, hand equipment and tools, empty drink bottles, and equipment that was moved throughout the day. It’s on the way back where small shortcuts start to creep in. A case could be located at a different location. Labels can be partly covered by dust. During hard braking, a loose tool can move towards the package. These are details that don’t make much sense in the parking lot, but do once the car is rolling.
A brief return check shall be made of the condition of the package, the closure of the package, the markings of the package, the shipping paper, load securement and emergency information. Loose objects around the case should also be kept away from the case. At this point, online learning stops being abstract with a clear purpose for each rule.
Keep More Than the Certificate
A certificate doesn’t absolve the employer of responsibility, only completion of a course does. Each hazmat employee should be trained to suit the role the person is performing, tested and have a record on file. A handy file with the name of the employee, the most recent completion date, training content, trainer details, and certification of the training and testing. Having just a certificate may make it more difficult to review later, particularly because they change careers.
I like to add a one page duty sheet to the training file. It can indicate if the employee is tasked with loading, packaging, paperwork or supervision, or driving. If the role changes, the employer can easily check for the content that needs to be addressed, instead of sending the learner back through the irrelevant content. An American Technical Institute online course does not have a definite time limit to complete and users can go back to their accounts to access their certificate, the institute says. That’s fine for field staff, but it is important to have an internal due date established by the employer. An open course is very likely to be a forgotten course.
Three Years Is Only Part of the Timing
- Recurrent training is needed no less than once every three years from the date of the actual training. The tracking of the month and day is important. There is a possibility that a general end-of-year reminder will not reflect an employee’s actual deadline.
- Changes in duty can necessitate earlier action. For instance, a technician could have been carrying a gauge for a year, and then start clearing up paperwork for shipping. The old training date may still be valid, but the function requires appropriate training.
- Hazmat DOT Online Training should therefore be reviewed not just because of the calendar alert, but when an employee’s job changes. The same applies in the case of a change of materials, vehicles, shipping methods, security measures, or internal handling procedures at a company.
- The following information should be recorded:
- The actual date of completion
- The employee’s present training as a hazmat worker.The employee’s current training as a hazmat worker.
- Information that the employer gives about the work site
- Changes in duties since last course
- The next recurrent training deadline is coming up.
Before Paying for a Course
“DOT certified” cannot be used to determine if the material fits a particular role in a course page. Prior to buying Hazmat DOT Online Training, review the course topics against the employee’s duties. Review and verify that the course covers 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart H. Inquire about how testing works, the type of the record and if the employee can go back to the material after testing. Then determine what new instructions the employer needs to write for packages, vehicles, paperwork, and security for the packages.
American Technical Institute has online courses for individuals with construction inspection and nuclear gauge related backgrounds. That’s a good option for field teams. Employers should just verify the scope, access, cost, group pricing, and certificate information of the current course directly with the business, though.
Put the Training Beside the Equipment
Hazmat DOT Online Training delivers the greatest value when employees apply what they have learned before the vehicle ever leaves the site. A quick package inspection, a review of the required paperwork, and some hands-on practice with the company’s equipment help turn online lessons into real-world skills. This does not have to be a long training session. Even a short review next to the work truck can reveal whether the employee truly understands their responsibilities or has only completed the online course.