Who Needs DOT Hazmat Training?

All hazmat employees must be trained in accordance with 49 CFR 172.700, which is part of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) established by DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials by ground.

According to 49 CFR 171.8, a hazmat employee is anyone who:

• Loads, unloads, or handles hazardous materials
• Manufactures, inspects, labels or tests a container or packaging used for transporting hazmat
• Prepares hazardous material for transport
• Is responsible for the safety of transporting hazardous materials
• Operates a vehicle that transports hazmat

What Do Our DOT Hazmat Courses Include?

Each of our DOT hazmat training programs includes a presenter’s guide to facilitate in-house training, full-length training video that details key safety considerations, quiz to test employee’s knowledge, sign-in sheet to track attendance, and certificate of completion for recordkeeping purposes.

You can purchase the complete DVD or USB kit, which is shipped the same business day if purchased before 7:00 pm EST. This English or Spanish kit can be reused as many times as needed, making it a worthwhile investment for in-house training. Costs for our DOT hazmat courses range from $219 to $239.

We also provide online courses through our online safety training subscription. Annual fees start at $995 for complete access to all 250+ training courses.

How Often Is DOT Hazmat Training Required?

Training for a new hazmat employee or an employee that changes job functions must be completed within 90 days [49 CFR 172.704(c)(1)]. Prior to training, an employee can only perform hazmat functions under direct supervision of a knowledgeable employee.

Employees must receive training at least once every three years. If they were trained by a previous employer, that training is still valid as long as their previous employer shares their training record [49 CFR 172.704(c)(2)].

What Should DOT Hazmat Training Cover?

According to 49 CFR 172.704(a), DOT hazmat training must include the following:

• General awareness training: Employees must be able to recognize and identify hazardous materials and understand hazard communication standards.

• Function-specific training: Employees must be trained on the specific tasks they’re performing.

• Safety training: Employees must understand emergency response protocols, measures that protect them from hazards, and how to avoid accidents.

• Security awareness training: Employees must understand the security risks of transporting hazardous materials and how to recognize and respond to security threats.

• In-depth security training: If a security plan is required, the employee must be trained on company security objectives, procedures, duties, and what to do in the event of a breach.

We offer general awareness training, safety training, security awareness training, and in-depth security training modules so that you can comply with DOT regulations. We also have specialized shipping of hazardous materials and hazardous materials labeling courses.

How Long Does DOT Hazmat Certification Take?

Hazmat training typically takes about X hours to complete, as there are multiple DOT requirements to cover. Each of our training videos is 15 to 25 minutes long and support the training categories outlined above. The videos are typically paired with an in-person presentation and quizzes to verify that employees sufficiently understand safety information.

Do Employees Need to Pass a Test?

Yes, hazmat employees should be tested to ensure that they understand safe hazmat handling and transportation protocols, but 49 CFR 172.702(d) only specifies that they must be tested by “appropriate means.”

U.S. DOT documentation states that any test that confirms that the employee can perform duties is acceptable. This can include a performance-based test, written test, verbal test, or a combination of methods.

How Should Training Be Recorded?

It is essential to document DOT hazmat training of each employee by keeping a record of the employee’s name, training completion date, training materials used, name and address of the trainer, and certification that the employee has been trained and tested [49 CFR 172.704(d)]. You must keep the records for 90 days after the employee is terminated.

What Training Is Required for Hazmat Transportation by Air and Sea?

DOT 49 CFR 175.20 covers hazmat transportation by air, while DOT 49 CFR 176.13 details hazmat transport by sea. However, many employers opt to follow the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) specific training and certification for air and International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) chapter 1.3 for sea. This ensures compliance with international safety standards.