Avoid The Hazmat Driver Training Grey Zone With Online Training
During the COVID-19 crisis, the U.S. Department of Transportation passed unprecedented measures to ensure no interruptions to the supply chain. If you have had your license or hazmat shipping training renewals temporarily waived, you will need to take steps to ensure compliance after the end of the 90-day waiver.
As these reliefs from enforcement actions expire, hazmat drivers face an especially high risk of being in non-compliance with DOT hazardous materials regulations.
Hazmat Driver Waivers
Several of the DOT waivers passed pertain to hazmat driver requirements. Consequently, a driver could be caught in a grey area after the waivers expire on June 23rd.
Driver relief granted that affects the transport of hazmat includes:
- A relief on recurrent DOT hazmat training. The relief only applies to those drivers who have completed the training and are due to take the recurrent training. A driver who has never taken the training is not authorized to transport hazardous waste.
- The renewal of commercial driver's licenses (CDL) and commercial learner's permits (CLP).
- Expanded hours of service for drivers providing direct assistance in the transportation of COVID-19 related medical supplies and equipment.
Avoiding the Hazmat Training Grey Zone
What is unclear is the status of drivers after the expiration of the relief. The hazmat driver's two main requirements — a CDL and DOT hazmat training certification — could be technically expired. Days or weeks could exist in which a driver's license is not valid, due to the backlog caused by the closure of driver's licensing services.
A driver can avoid enforcement action by applying for license renewals as soon as possible. That is not to overlook the possibility that DOT will allow drivers a grace period.
Hazmat training, however, can take a while. The driver should sign up at their earliest convenience for the Hazmat training renewal. As a hazmat driver, you would have received your Hazmat certification within 90 days of your employment. But this training certification must be renewed every three years to remain in good standing.
Even if not subject to enforcement action, a driver delaying three-year renewal training is at higher risk of making mistakes in the packaging, labeling, and shipping of hazmat. Being in compliance also reduces your responsibility for liability and damages should an accident occur.
Since many hazmat training courses are offered online, they have continued to offer courses during and post-confinement. These courses include hazmat shipping, transporting, and packaging training. They may also include the additional training drivers require in handling, safety, security, and emergency response.
For more information about hazmat shipping training, contact a company like High Q.