Who Should Take This Course?

Our DOT HAZMAT Training Online: Carrier Requirements – Rail course provides training for employees involved in transportation of hazard materials by railway, such as persons who package or load/unload hazardous materials for shipment.

Based upon Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations in 49 CFR Part 174, the course material focuses on the DOT requirements for shipping hazardous materials by rail. Topics include operating requirements, handling requirements, segregation of hazardous materials, and placarding requirements, among others.

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

High Quality Online Training

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Listen  |  Watch  |  Read  |  Interact

Course Outline

This DOT HAZMAT course consists of 5 sections, which are fully narrated and interactive. Quiz questions within each section help the student retain the knowledge needed for the final exam.

Module 1
Section Title
Course Overview
1 General Operating Requirements
Accepting hazardous materials for rail transportation | Railroad transporting its own hazmats | Rail cars inspections | Prompt shipment | Local restrictions | Transporting bulk packagings | Exceptions and restrictions. 
2 Handling and Loading Requirements
Loading | Unloading | Clean up | Shipping papers | HMR definition of a “train”.
3 Segregation of Hazardous Materials
Segregating hazardous materials | The segregation table | Subsidiary hazards. 
4 Placarding Requirements and Car Positioning
Documenting train car position | Markings and placarding requirements | Switching and coupling of placarded flatcars | Positioning requirements. 
5 Railroad Industry Recommendations
Recommendations for operating rules | Key train and routes | Leakage | Non-conforming tank cars | Inspections | Hazmat Incidents.
Course Exam

Course Exam

  • The final exam for this course consists of 10 questions, which are randomly compiled from a large pool of possible questions.
  • A 70% or better score is needed in order to pass the final exam. If a student does not pass, they may re-review information in the sections as necessary, and retake the test as many times as needed in order to pass.

Course Format

This is a 100% online, fully narrated course. The training is self-paced and available 24/7.

Designed by Certified Outreach Trainers, this DOT HAZMAT course includes up-to-date, high quality training created with your safety and learning as our top priority. The course features interactive training, which combines audio and visual elements for maximum retention. The course is completed entirely online using a computer with an internet connection and is available 24/7. For your convenience, it can be completed over time, and your progress will be saved within our Online Training System (OTS) to the last section completed. Students are given 6 months to complete the course after enrollment. We are so certain you will be satisfied with your experience, that we offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee*.

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: Carrier Requirements – Rail course was designed by Certified Outreach Trainers and is based on the DOT regulations found in 49 CFR Part 174.

DOT HAZMAT Certification

Once the course is completed within our state-of-the-art Online Training System (OTS), you will immediately be able to download, save or print your Course DOT HAZMAT 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 Rail Carrier Requirements course is to address 49 CFR Part 174 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) for hazardous materials transportation.

Learning Objectives

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

  • Understand the general operating requirements for the DOT and the railroad industry
  • Determine exceptions for hazardous materials transportation by railway
  • Convey information in the Segregation Table for Hazardous Materials by rail
  • Determine documentation needs for rail cars with hazardous materials
  • Explain how to position placarded train cars using the Placard Group Table
  • Understand restrictions in the transport of hazardous materials, including speed, inspections, routes
  • Understand reporting requirements for incidents and accidents.

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 DOT HAZMAT Training Online 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