Dangerous Goods Training FAQs

Hazmat training teaches how to safely handle and prepare hazardous materials for Air, Land and Sea/Ocean transportation. The US Department of Transportation requires hazmat training for any company that performs a function regulated by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). This includes an individual, who is employed by a hazmat employer on a full time, part time, or temporary basis, or who is self-employed, who during the course of employment:

• Loads/Unloads, or handles hazardous materials
• Designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs, or tests a package, container or packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in transporting hazardous material in commerce
• Prepares hazardous materials for transport
• Is responsible for the safe transportation of hazardous materials
• Operates a vehicle used in transporting hazardous materials

A hazmat employee is any of the following:

• Employed on a full-time, part time, or temporary basis by a hazmat employer and who in the course of such full time, part time or temporary employment is directly involved in the safe transport of hazardous materials.
• Self-employed (including an owner-operator of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft) and transporting hazardous materials in commerce, who directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety
• A railroad maintenance-of-way employee or railroad signalman.

Each hazmat employer is responsible for training each of their hazmat employees. Employee training is a requirement of HMR. This applies to businesses of any size (e.g. self-employed, partnerships, corporations, etc.). There are no exceptions to this rule.