Three rail hazmat training classes available in early 2023

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, December 12 — The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting three in-person rail worker training sessions in early 2023. The dates are as follows: January 15-20, 2023; February 5-10, 2023; and March 5-10, 2023.

These Rail Hazmat/Chemical Emergency Response training courses will run on a Sunday through Friday basis. All training will be conducted at the Houston Fire Academy’s Val Jahnke Training Facility, 8030 Braniff St., Houston, Texas, 77061.

Uncontrolled releases of chemicals can be extremely dangerous, especially in transportation. Emergency responders are particularly at risk. Any worker who is likely to witness or discover a hazardous materials spill or release or who is likely to be involved in the clean-up or post-emergency response activities of a hazardous materials incident is considered a first responder and is required to be trained by the employer.

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.

Register now at the Moodle Learning Platform via the Teamsters Safety and Health Department’s E-learning website:

For more information, please call the Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program at (202) 624-6963 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., EST).

A flyer to print and share on bulletin boards at your on-duty location is available here:
https://ble-t.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/CER_Flyer_2023.pdf