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Third Party Trainers can "Certify" Your Employees

Short Answer: Only the HazMat Employer Can Certify

Third party trainers can act on your behalf to help you train your employees but ultimately only the employer can actually "certify" them. We provide you with a certificate of completion of the training which you keep on file along with the exam and other training records so that you can produce it if the authorities ask to see your training records, but in the end YOU, the employer, are responsible for ensuring that your employee is appropriately trained for their job. Here's an executive briefing we put together on this.

Long Answer:

Since the Valujet disaster it seems that the number of hazardous materials training schools has jumped about ten fold. With the Valujet Disaster, and it's ensuing tenfold increase in federal agents to enforce the regulations, many companies with little dangerous goods experience decided to jump into the fray. Since there are no federal standards for schools or instructors it was easy to do.

Now there are courses being offered by companies you've never heard of, or who are in one industry one day and suddenly "expand" into hazmat training. First to clear up a couple misconceptions:

If a trainer tells you they are "DOT Approved" to train shippers or forwarders, that's simply not true. You can call the FAA security office at LAX to verify this or call the DOT Help Line at 1-800-HMR-4922. Ask if they approve shipper or forwarder training programs. They don't.

ANYONE can conduct training programs as long as it complies with 49 CFR 172.700
Even some IATA programs may not meet all of the D.O.T.'s standards because there are several D.O.T. rules that may not be adequately addressed in an IATA class, as it's not part of their regulations.

Ask your trainer if they test you and provide instruction in the following D.O.T. areas.

Hazardous substance regulations (these are EPA listed "environmental hazards")
Placarding (after all, you have to use a truck to get the freight to the airport)
Use of the D.O.T. Emergency Response Guidebook (is one included with the class?)

If you'd like a copy of the D.O.T. training regulations, please give us a call.

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		Have a hazmat question? Give us a call, we're glad to help. Phone (800) 949-4834 or fax your Dangerous Goods Declaration to (800) 527-5121 and we will review it for you. Email: jim@dgtraining.com Do you want to hear a funny story about our free tech support?