Hazmat Essentials: Hazmat Security Training & DOT Compliance

The US DOT's Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) aim to prevent accidents involving hazardous materials in transportation. The DOT/PHMSA hazmat regulations include several "hazmat security" requirements to protect shipments of hazmat materials (and especially the most consequential shipments) from malicious misuse, sabotage, and diversion by terrorists or others who wish to do harm.

This new Hazmat Essentials video covers:

• Hazmat security threats and recent attacks.
• What is hazmat security awareness?
• Who needs security awareness training per 49 CFR 172.704(a)(4)?
• Hazmat security planning basic requirements.
• Why DOT mandates hazmat security plans for some shippers/carriers.
• What is "in-depth security training"?
• Who needs in-depth security training per 49 CFR 172.704(a)(5)?

Video: Hazmat Security Training and Planning

What's in a Hazmat Security Plan?

First off, the security plan "must be in writing and must be retained for as long as it remains in effect." The plan must be reviewed annually and updated/revised as necessary to reflect changing circumstances. Copies of the most recent version of the plan must be available to those employees responsible for implementing it. Shippers and carriers required to have a plan must make the plan available to authorized DOT or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspectors/officials (49 CFR 172.802).

Information in a Hazmat Security Plan

The terms of the plan may include variations based on the level of threat at a particular time, but they must include, at a minimum:

• An assessment of transportation and site-specific security risks.
• Appropriate measures to address the assessed risks, including:
  • Personnel security, including background checks, commensurate with applicable privacy and employment law.
  • Access security, including measures to limit unauthorized access to hazmat before and during transport.
  • En-route security, including measures to secure hazmat during transportation and its storage incidental to transportation.
• Identification by job title of the senior management official responsible for overall development and implementation of the security plan.
• Security duties for each hazmat employee or department that is responsible for implementing the security plan or a portion of the plan.
• The process of notifying employees when specific elements of the security plan must be implemented.
• A plan for training hazmat employees to implement the security plan.

An additional consideration is who has access to the plan. Employees, contractors, others should be granted access to the plan on a "need-to-know" basis. Employees and other persons without a demonstrated need to know the terms of the security plan should not have access to it.

In-person DOT Hazmat Training

Join Lion for engaging, lively in-person training and develop the expertise you need to classify and name hazardous materials, package hazmat, mark and label packages, fill out shipping papers, and comply with DOT security plan and security training requirements for hazmat employees.

Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT) Workshop

Browse all in-person and online DOT, IATA, and IMDG course options at Lion.com/Hazmat.

Tags: DOT, DOT hazmat, hazardous materials regulations, hazmat security, hazmat security plans