Four rail hazmat training classes available

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, September 20 — The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting four rail worker training sessions in the coming months. The dates are as follows: November 12-17, 2017; January 7-12, 2018; February 11-16, 2018; and March 18-23, 2018.

These 40-hour chemical emergency response training courses will run on a Sunday through Friday basis, with an orientation session at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday and departure on Friday. All training will be conducted at the Houston Fire Department’s Val Jahnke Training Facility, 8030 Braniff St., Houston, Texas, 77061.

The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is funded by a federal grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to provide hazmat training to rail workers. These five-day hazmat training courses will provide rail workers the essential knowledge, skills, and response actions in the case of an unintentional release. These tools will allow rail workers to protect themselves, their co-workers and their communities.

This training addresses OSHA and DOT required training in addition to procedures, different levels of response and worker protection in a hazardous materials emergency or release, weapons of mass destruction awareness, and the incident command system. The training also provides completion of the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Outreach requirements. The programs are delivered using interactive classroom instruction, small group activities, hands-on drills and a simulated hazmat response in full safety gear.

The funding provides the following student expenses: travel, lodging and meals. In addition, an incentive of $175.00 per day is available to all training participants of these programs, except those who are able to secure regular pay through their employer, or are paid union officers.

It is recommended that rail workers complete the 40-hour chemical emergency response training courses once every three years. Please use the following website to register:
www.railworkertrainingprogram.org.

For more information, please use the link above or call the Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program at (202) 624-6963.

A flyer to print and share on bulletin boards at your on-duty location is available here:
www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/Hazmat_Flyer_2017-18.pdf.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017
bentley@ble-t.org