Who Should Take This Course?

Our online DOT HAZMAT Training: Function Specific – Placarding course is designed for Hazmat employees involved with hazardous materials transportation and the identification, selection, placement, or replacement of Hazmat placards. This course will help workers determine the appropriate placarding when shipping hazardous materials. Some Hazmat employees who may benefit from this training include those involved with shipping, manufacture, or carrying of hazardous materials. This course meets function-specific requirements in 49 CFR 172.704(a)(2)(i).

This course provides training on general placarding rules, types, specifications, Placarding Tables, subsidiary hazard placarding, and placarding by mode of transportation.

This course provides more in-depth placarding training than is included in our DOT HAZMAT Training: Basic General Awareness (4 Hours) course. This course’s contents are included in full in our DOT HAZMAT Training: General Awareness/Function Specific (10 Hours).

For information on DOT HAZMAT training requirements or the DOT HAZMAT courses we offer, visit our DOT HAZMAT Training page.

DOT HAZMAT Placarding Training

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Course Outline

This DOT HAZMAT online course consists of 7 sections, which students will complete through our Online Training System (OTS). The course includes interactive quizzes to help ensure students retain important concepts.

Module 1
Section Title
1 Course Overview
2 General Placarding Rules
Placards | General Rule for Placarding | Proper Display of Placards | Prohibited Placarding | Exceptions | Exempt Materials. 
3 Placard Types
Explosives: Divisions 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. | Explosives: Divisions 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6. | Flammable and Non-flammable Gas | Combustible | Flammable Solid, Spontaneously Combustible, and Dangerous When Wet | Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides | Poison | Radioactive | Corrosive and Class 9 | Dangerous | Placard ID Numbers.
4 Placard Specifications
Strength and Durability | Design | Form Identification.
5 Placarding Tables 1 and 2
Placarding Tables 1 and 2 | Division 5.2 Exceptions | Division 6.1 Exceptions | Class 7 Exceptions | Empty Non-Bulk Packaging | Class 1 Exceptions | Division 2.2 | Division 5.1 | Division 6.1 | Class 9 | Dangerous Placard and Exceptions.
6 Subsidiary Hazard Placarding
Subsidiary Hazards | Poison Inhalation | Corrosive Hazard | Dangerous When Wet.
7 Mode of Transportation Placarding
Providing and Affixing Placards | Highway | Rail | Freight Containers and Aircraft Load Devices | Special Provisions | Bulk Packaging | Two Sides Placarded.
Course Exam

Course Exam

  • This course includes a 10 question final exam. Questions are randomly compiled from a large pool of possible questions.
  • A score of 70% or higher is needed to pass the final exam. If a student doesn’t pass, the exam may be retaken as may times as needed in order to pass.

Course Format

This course is is provided 100% online and available 24/7 through our Online Training System (OTS). The training material is fully narrated and self-paced.

Designed by Certified Outreach Trainers, this DOT HAZMAT Placarding course emphasizes your safety and learning through interactive, high quality training. With this course, you can train at your convenience and save your progress as you go. A downloadable / printable student manual is provided as a resource for taking notes and for future reference. Students may take up to 6 months, if desired, to complete the course after enrollment. We offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee* to ensure you are satisfied with the training.

Once the course is completed, you will immediately be able to download, save or print your Course Completion Certificate which is provided in PDF format. We’ll also mail you a PVC credit card style Wallet ID Card with optional photo, showing training course completion. The card will be mailed within 24 hours of course completion.

Accreditation

This DOT HAZMAT class was designed by Certified Outreach Trainers and meets the requirements for 49 CFR 172.704(a)(2)(i).

DOT HAZMAT Certification

Upon course completion, you will immediately be able to download, save or print your Certificate of Course Completion which is provided in PDF format. We’ll also mail you a PVC credit card style Wallet ID Card with optional photo, showing training course completion. The card will be mailed within 24 hours of course completion.

Course Objectives

The objective of this DOT HAZMAT Placarding course is to meet the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) training requirements for 49 CFR 172.704(a)(2)(i).

Per 49 CFR 172.704(a)(2)(i):

Function-specific Training. (i) Each hazmat employee must be provided function-specific training concerning the requirements of this subchapter, or exemptions or special permits issued under subchapter A of this chapter, that are specifically applicable to the functions the employee performs.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

  • Understand placarding requirements;
  • Identify the hazards displayed on placards;
  • Know where placards are required to be placed;
  • Identify placarding requirement exceptions;
  • Understand placard design and visibility requirements.

Requirements

Per DOT Hazmat Training Requirements, a complete curriculum must include:

General Awareness Training (Basic or Advanced)

We offer two options for DOT Hazmat General Awareness training:

Function-specific and Modal-specific Training

Function-specific Training

Function-specific training is required hazardous materials training specific to the functions an employee actually performs. We offer the following function-specific course options, which may be taken separately or are already included within the DOT Hazmat: General Awareness/Function Specific (10 Hour) course (with the exception of the Shipping Batteries course.)

* Additional function-specific training may be required to prepare you for the specific duties you perform on the job. 

Modal-specific Training

Modal-specific training is specific to the mode of transportation that will be used to tranport hazardous materials. We offer four DOT Hazmat modal-specific courses:

Security Awareness Training

We offer a 100% Online DOT Hazmat Security Awareness training course. DOT Hazmat Security Awareness training is also included within our DOT Hazmat General Awareness/Function Specific (10 Hour) course and our DOT Hazmat Basic General Awareness (4 Hour) course.

Safety Awareness Training

We are working on Online courses to help workers meet this requirement. Coming soon!

In-depth Security Training (if applicable)

When an employer is required by 49 CFR 172.800(b) to have an in-depth Security plan, then in-depth Security training is also required. This site-specific training covers actions taken by employees according to the employer’s plan. We don’t currently offer in-depth security training.

Driver Training for Motor Vehicle Operators (if applicable)

Motor vehicle drivers who transport hazardous materials must have training on the safe transportation of hazardous materials by highway. A variety of driver safety courses may be needed. We do not currently offer driver training.

HAZMAT Employers are required to train new HAZMAT Employees within 90 days of employment or assuming new related job responsibilities. Direct supervision is required of the employee performing a hazardous material function until training is complete. DOT requirements specify HAZMAT employees need to be retrained and tested at least once every three years. However, the FAA, under 14 CFR, requires air carrier employees to be trained every two years. DOT and FAA require employers to maintain training records.

Hazmat Employer

Per the U.S. Department of Transportation, a Hazmat Employer is a person whose employee(s) perform the following functions:

  • Transport hazardous materials (hazmat) in commerce;
  • Cause hazmat to be transported or shipped in commerce; or
  • Represent, mark, certify, sell, offer, recondition, test, repair, or modify packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of hazmat.

The term “hazmat employer” also includes any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an Indian tribe engaged in offering or transporting hazmat in commerce.

Hazmat Employee

Per the U.S. Department of Transportation, a Hazmat Employee is a person who is employed by a hazardous materials employer and directly affects hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation safety.

This would include an owner-operator of a motor vehicle which transports hazmat, and a person (including a self-employed person) who:

  • Loads, unloads, or handles hazmat;
  • Tests, reconditions, repairs, modifies, marks, or otherwise represents packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of hazmat;
  • Prepares hazmat for transportation;
  • Is responsible for safety of transporting hazmat; or
  • Operates a vehicle used to transport hazmat.

Additional Training

Please note that this this HAZMAT DOT Placarding course is not meant to replace company-specific or function-specific training provided by your employer on equipment use and procedures for your particular work environment. You must be trained by your employer on the hazards, equipment, engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices and emergency plans specific to your role and workplace. Employers need to evaluate employee needs for additional DOT hazardous material training and training in the use of personal protective equipment used on the job.

In ALL situations, employers are required to ensure their employees are adequately trained to do their job.

The HazMat Student Advantage

Student Advantages