Class participants will engage in a simulated hazmat response wearing full safety gear.
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The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting four in-person rail worker training sessions in late 2025 and early 2026 in Houston during the weeks of October 19-24, 2025; January 11-16, 2026; February 15-20, 2026; and March 15-20, 2026. The 40-hour courses will run Sunday through Friday at the Houston Fire Academy’s Val Jahnke Training Facility, 8030 Braniff Street.
Uncontrolled releases of chemicals can be extremely dangerous, especially in the rail industry. Emergency responders are particularly at risk; this includes locomotive engineers and other railroad workers. Any worker who is likely to witness or discover a hazardous materials spill or release or who is likely to be involved in the clean-up or post-emergency response activities of a hazardous materials incident is considered a first responder and is required to be trained by their employer.
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is funded by a federal grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). These five-day hazmat training courses are designed to provide rail workers the essential knowledge, skills, and response actions in the case of an unintentional release.
This training addresses OSHA and DOT required training in addition to procedures, different levels of response and worker protection in a hazardous materials emergency or release, weapons of mass destruction awareness, and the incident command system. The training also provides completion of the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Outreach requirements. Instruction is delivered using interactive classroom discussion, small group activities, hands-on drills, and a simulated hazmat response in full safety gear.
The federal funding provides for student expenses including travel, lodging and meals. In addition, a stipend of $175.00 per day is available to all participants except those who are able to secure regular pay through their employer or are paid union officers.
Register now at the Moodle Learning Platform via the Teamsters Safety and Health Department’s E-learning website.
Download a PDF flyer for more information.