Courses

Who requires Hazardous Materials (hazmat) training?

United States law requires that any employee who performs a hazmat transportation function or pre-transportation function must have hazardous materials training.

Examples of transportation and pre-transportation functions, include:

Loading, unloading, or handling hazmat in transportation
Preparing a hazmat for transportation
Ordering, selecting or filling a hazmat packaging (both bulk and non-bulk)
Securing a closure on a filled, partially filled, or residue-containing hazmat package
Marking or labeling a package that contains a hazmat
Preparing, editing, reviewing, signing or certifying a hazmat shipping document
Loading, blocking/bracing or segregating a hazmat package in a freight container or transport vehicle
Selecting, providing, or affixing placards on a freight container or transport vehicle that contains a hazmat
Designing, manufacturing, fabricating, inspecting, marking, repairing, or testing a packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in transporting hazmat
Operating a vehicle to transport hazmat
Identifying or classifying a hazmat for transportation
Providing and/or maintaining emergency response information for hazmat in transportation

Additionally, each hazmat employer is responsible for ensuring that their hazmat employees are properly trained. There are no exceptions to the rule, regardless of the size of business (includes those who are self-employed).

[49 CFR 171.8, 49 CFR 172.702]

How often do I need Hazardous Materials (hazmat) training?

Initial training must be completed:

Before performing any hazmat transportation duties
A 90-day grace period may apply for GROUND and MARINE shipping (must be directly supervised by a trained hazmat employee)

Recurrent/Refresher training must be completed every:

3 years for GROUND and MARINE hazmat shippers
2 years for AIR hazmat shippers

[49 CFR 172.704(c)(2), IATA 1.5.0.3]

What's the difference between Hazardous Materials & Dangerous Goods?

The United States' domestic term is hazardous materials (hazmat) and the international term is dangerous goods. Generally, the terms can be used synonymously in hazardous materials transportation applications.

What certifications will I get for each course?

Hazmat Safety Alliance staffs only trained, knowledgeable industry experts who are eligible to train you in the required regulations. So at the end of each course that you successfully complete, we will give you a certificate that states you have fulfilled the regulatory training requirements for the applicable government agency (or association), as shown below:

Hazmat AWARENESS ---> DOT/PHMSA

Hazmat SECURITY ---> DOT/PHMSA

Hazmat SAFETY ---> DOT/PHMSA/OSHA
Hazmat GROUND ---> DOT/PHMSA
Hazmat AIR ---> IATA/ICAO

Hazmat OCEAN ---> IMO/IMDG

Acronym Key:
DOT = United States' Department of Transportation
IATA = International Air Transport Association
ICAO = International Civil Aviation Organization
IMDG = International Maritime Dangerous Goods (Code)
IMO = International Maritime Organization
OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PHMSA = United States' Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

How long does each course take to complete?

Completion times vary by student, however; general approximations are included below:

Hazmat AWARENESS = 1-3 hours

Hazmat SECURITY = 1-3 hours

Hazmat SAFETY = 1-3 hours
Hazmat GROUND = 3-5 hours
Hazmat AIR = 3-5 hours

Hazmat OCEAN = 3-5 hours

Can I start shipping as soon as I complete all applicable training courses?

Yes, upon successful completion of your required courses, you will have fulfilled all of your training requirements and will legally be allowed to start shipping hazardous materials by the mode(s) of transportation you were trained in!

However, there are other considerations that may need to be resolved prior to shipping your first hazmat shipment:

Many hazmat transporters (carriers) require contracts to be setup prior to first transporting your hazmat
You will likely need an Emergency Response Information Provider (ERIP) with a valid contract
You will likely need access to Globally Harmonized System (GHS) compliant Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for your specific hazardous materials
Your specific hazardous materials must be properly classified and identified by an individual who is trained in classification/identification of hazardous materials
You will need to ensure that you have all applicable packaging types, packing materials, Manufacturer's Closure Instructions, marks, and labels available for all hazardous materials shipping scenarios
You will need to ensure that you have proper documentation (including software when required, such as for air)
Additional function-specific training may be required on your specific hazardous materials and/or your specific company polices/procedures

Please feel free to contact us with any questions on how to get you started shipping hazmat. We have trained consultants who are happy to help you get started today!

I ship by GROUND ONLY, which courses do I need to take for DOT/PHMSA certification?

Hazmat AWARENESS
Hazmat SECURITY
Hazmat SAFETY (unless previously fulfilled by OSHA Hazard Communication training)
Hazmat GROUND

I ship by AIR ONLY, which courses do I need to take for IATA/ICAO certification?

Hazmat AWARENESS
Hazmat SECURITY
Hazmat SAFETY (unless previously fulfilled by OSHA Hazard Communication training)
Hazmat AIR

I ship by OCEAN ONLY, which courses do I need to take for IMO/IMDG certification?

Hazmat AWARENESS
Hazmat SECURITY
Hazmat SAFETY (unless previously fulfilled by OSHA Hazard Communication training)
Hazmat OCEAN

I ship by ALL MODES, which courses do I need to take for DOT/PHMSA, IATA/ICAO & IMO/IMDG certification?

Hazmat AWARENESS
Hazmat SECURITY
Hazmat SAFETY (unless previously fulfilled by OSHA Hazard Communication training)
Hazmat GROUND
Hazmat AIR
Hazmat OCEAN

Hazmat Training is Required by Law.

Group purchases = Price breaks.