What Does It Take To Achieve a Hazmat Shipping Certification?
Hazmat training is essential for anyone who performs a Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) transportation or pre-transportation function. Performing one of these functions also designates someone as a Hazmat Employee.
When adequately trained Hazmat employees are responsible for the shipping of Hazmat, it helps to ensures regulatory compliance at every stage of the process and greatly reduces the possibility of a hazardous material transportation incident.
If you are a Hazmat employee and are wondering how to obtain a Hazmat shipping certification, here is an overview of what you need to know.
Determine which Mode(s) of Transportation you Ship by
It may seem simple enough that there are 3 basic modes of transportation: Ground, Air and Vessel (Ocean). However, when it comes to Hazmat shipping, it is not quite as easy as it seems. This is because each mode of transportation has its own specific domestic and international regulatory requirements. So, let’s now examine these relationships:
- Ground: All domestic (United States) transportation is regulated by Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR). However, as you will see below, international modes of transportation have additional international requirements, meaning international shipments must comply with both domestic and international regulations. That said, ground transportation, that takes place entirely within the United States, is only subject to United States regulatory requirements. As such, ground Hazmat training is often referred to as 49 CFR training.
- Air: Both domestically and abroad, air transportation is regulated by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO). The very technical regulations set forth by ICAO have been translated into a user-friendly format known as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) manual. Therefore, air dangerous goods transportation training is commonly referred to as IATA training.
- Vessel (Ocean): All transportation that is conducted via vessels is regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which publishes a regulatory manual that is called the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. That is why Vessel Hazmat transportation is usually called IMDG training.
Naturally, there are several types of training programs available. Once you determine your transportation logistics, you should be able to find a Hazmat training program that fits your specific needs.
Often times, your choices of Hazmat training courses include:
- 49 CFR training (function-specific Hazmat shipping by ground)
- IATA/ICAO training (function-specific Hazmat shipping by air)
- IMDG/IMO training (function-specific Hazmat shipping by sea)
- Multimodal training (function-specific Hazmat shipping by more than one mode, such as air and ground, air and ocean, ground and ocean, or air, ground, and ocean)
- Lithium batteries training (function-specific shipping lithium batteries and equipment containing lithium batteries)
- Limited quantities training (function-specific shipping hazardous items in limited quantities)
- General awareness training (basic understanding of Hazmat shipping regulations)
Once you choose the right training program for you, you need to decide the delivery method of your Hazmat training.
Choosing the Right Delivery Method for Hazmat Training
Your choices generally include:
For both classroom-based training and onsite training, you need to be physically present at the place where the classes are conducted, which can be difficult if you have a busy schedule. Similarly, with instructor-led webinar training, you are required to attend at a certain time; however, this option offers more flexibility as you can take your training from any location, on any device that is connected to the internet. That said, the three above-mentioned methods of training all do still require scheduling commitments, but they can also all benefit you by allowing you to learn from an experienced instructor, with whom you can interact and ask questions. Therefore, it stands to reason that these instructor-led courses tend to come at a higher price point than those without live instructors. With personalized on-site training being the most expensive and instructor-led webinars being the least.
Self-paced online training, on the other hand, is undoubtedly the most cost-effective and flexible option. It offers you the choice of learning at any time, at your own pace, irrespective of your location. All you need is an internet enabled electronic device! This option can also save a lot of time as there is no travel required. Self-paced online training has long been considered a very appealing option because of its extreme convenience and cost-effective nature. However, while the entire globe is enduring the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote training is now more important than ever. For it also allows individuals to stay current with regulatory requirements, while also staying in compliance with travel restrictions and social distancing requirements.
So, if you do decide that self-paced online training is the best option for your Hazmat training needs, here are the simple steps for you to take:
- First, as discussed-above, determine which course(s) you need: 49 CFR, IATA, IMDG, etc. Then, order your self-paced online Hazmat training by clicking here. Once your order is processed, you will receive an enrollment code and instructions.
- Once enrolled, you have unlimited access to all of your purchased training materials and are free to learn at a pace that is convenient to you.
- In the event that you have any trouble navigating the user interface simply contact the readily-available support team and they will help you sort your problem out. Also, as a special offer during this difficult COVID-19 pandemic, Hazmat University is now also offering free Hazmat transportation regulatory technical support to any enrolled Hazmat University student. This offer of free technical support is valid through the end of 2020.
- Once you successfully complete the course(s) you are enrolled in, you can easily download and print the certificate of completion!
Select the Most Reliable Hazmat Shipping Certification Provider
Hazmat University offers training courses in all modes of transportation (air, ground, and vessel) for both initial Hazmat training and recurrent Hazmat training. We offer online trainings that easily allow for remote, self-paced learning that will suit you, whether you absorb information quickly or prefer to take your time. We also offer personalized instructor-led webinars. Our courses were developed by industry leaders with over 45 years of experience and our friendly and knowledgeable staff are just a phone call away. Call us today at (844) 532-7634 or (609) 860-0300 or contact us online.
