Online Training
Emergency Responder Awareness Level 101 - http://nlc.blackboard.com
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Online registration info - fthomas@nlc.edu
The National Labor College at the George Meany Campus
Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program
Online Hazmat Awareness Level Course Description
Uncontrolled releases of chemicals can be extremely dangerous, especially in transportation. Emergency responders, including first responders, are particularly at risk. Any worker who is likely to witness or discover a hazardous materials spill or release is considered a first responder and is required by law to be trained by the employer. Any worker involved in the clean up of a hazardous materials incident is considered to be part of the post-emergency response activities and is required by law to be trained by the employer.
As a rail worker, you have the potential for exposure to hazardous materials in the event of a derailment, a spill or release in the yard, working on or inspecting rail cars, or maintaining and repairing track. Hazardous materials regulations require that a worker be trained in all of these situations.
This course is being presented to provide rail workers with an understanding of the roles, rights, and responsibilities of working with hazardous materials, and is designed for rail workers who may witness or discover a HAZMAT release or accident, and who may be responsible for initiating the emergency response process.
Several years ago, the rail program received supplemental funds from NIEHS to develop a web-based HAZMAT training course for rail workers. The course was designed to meet worker-training requirements of both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for hazardous materials in transportation - including emergency and post-emergency response. The online course provides first responder training at the awareness and familiarization levels.
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program's online awareness course was specifically developed to reach an underserved and under-trained population of geographically dispersed rail workers from the U.S. and Canada. It is intended that this course will provide greater access to effective HAZMAT training for rail workers who are unable to participate in on-site classroom training courses.
Description
The awareness/familiarization level training provided in this online course has been adapted from a traditional 8-hour classroom-based training course. The length of time to complete the online version of the course depends upon the individual participant's level of computer and navigation skills, amount of time exploring external links, and individual system capacity.
Topics covered in this course include: an introduction to hazardous materials and the role of the first responder; federal regulatory agencies; DOT's Hazardous Materials Regulations; recognition and identification of hazardous materials in transportation; how to use the 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook; chemical properties; how to use online resources: NIOSH Pocket Guide, New Jersey Hazardous Substances Fact Sheets, and Material Safety Data Sheets; and an introduction to toxicology.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to indicate the role of a first responder, and workers' rights and responsibilities when working with hazardous materials.
The mission of this training course is twofold:
- To provide rail workers with appropriate and effective training in hazardous materials transportation and emergency response regulations as required by: DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (49CFR, Parts 171-180), and the HAZWOPER Standard (OSHA 1910.120) covering emergency and post-emergency response.
- To provide rail workers with the essential skills and knowledge in the critical area of hazardous materials in a continuing effort to achieve the highest level of worker and public safety, and environmental protection.
Evaluation
Student performance will be evaluated by pre- and post-training questionnaire. Data from these questionnaires is used to evaluate the effectiveness of training - based upon pre and post training data comparisons. The questions and quizzes included in modules are intended for self-evaluation, and to reinforce learning; responses to the questions are not recorded or included in evaluation data. Data from Discussion Board postings is confidential, but may be used by grant staff to support the goals of the training program. |
