New Course: DOT Hazmat Rail Shipper Training

To help hazmat rail shippers and carriers meet US DOT’s hazmat training mandate at 49 CFR 172.704, Lion Technology recently launched a new online course, Hazmat Ground Shipper—Additional Rail Requirements.

The new course is designed to provide “function-specific” training for professionals involved in offering or accepting hazmat shipments for rail transport by rail tanker, freight container, IBC, or bulk or non-bulk package. US DOT requires all hazmat employees to complete function-specific training, as well as general awareness and security awareness training, once every 3 years. [49 CFR 172.704] Watch the video here to learn more about DOT's hazmat training rules.

Historically, Lion Technology’s hazardous materials shipping workshops, online courses, and webinars have focused on the shippers’ point of view. In the railroad supply chain, the division of responsibilities between “shippers” and “carriers” is not always as clear cut as for highway, air, or vessel transport. Therefore, the new Hazmat Ground Shipper—Additional Rail Requirements online course covers critical 49 CFR rules and considerations for hazmat shippers and carriers alike.


Rail shippers or carriers who take this online course should have prior training on US DOT’s 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). We recommend HMT P30 or HMT 300 – Hazardous Materials Transportation Certification.  

As Content Development Manager at Lion Technology, Jennifer Harris was instrumental in developing the new online course. “This new course is a great way for shippers and carriers to stay up to speed with unique rail requirements that are often overlooked during hazmat training. Because only a small percentage of hazmat shipments travels by rail, these crucial rules are often left out,” Harris says.  

Hazmat Rail Highlights for Shippers and Carriers:

• PHMSA and FRA hazmat enforcement
• Loading, unloading, and transloading tank cars
• Using the segregation table at 49 CFR 174.81(d)
• Additional hazmat shipping papers for rail shipments  
• Loading and transporting freight containers and transport vehicles
• Special loading rules for Class 2, 3 and Division 6.1 materials 
• Requirements for carriers who accept rail shipments
• Hazmat rail car inspection requirements
• Basic switching operations
• "Expedited movement” of certain hazmat classes/divisions
• Dealing with leaking packages (bulk and non-bulk)
• Transporting bulk and non-bulk packagings by rail
• Position-in-Train requirements for certain materials
• And more!  

The course runs about one hour, and the cost is $129 per student. Registration includes access to digital reference materials and six months of Lion Membership for complete compliance support. Online courses at Lion.com can be accessed 24/7 from any Internet connection, and IT support is available 7 days/week.

Click here to learn more or sign up now!  

Tags: 49CFR, DOT, hazmat shipping