CLEVELAND, October 15 — The IBT Rail Workers Hazmat Training Program is providing safety training to rail workers in the Western U.S. next month to increase their knowledge of the transportation of hazardous materials. Members are encouraged to register for the next course, which is scheduled for Sunday, November 8 through Friday, November 13, 2015 in Sandpoint, Idaho.
The five-day Rail Hazmat Chemical/Emergency Response Training Program in November is only open to workers in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana.
The IBT Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program consists of peer trainers who are dedicated to providing quality education and awareness of hazardous materials, thereby empowering rail workers and communities. 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. The programs are delivered using interactive classroom instruction, small group activities, hands-on drills and a simulated hazmat response in full safety gear.
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is funded to provide this training by a federal grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). This five-day hazmat training course will provide rail workers the essential knowledge, skills, and response actions in the case of an unintentional release. These tools will allow rail workers to protect themselves, their co-workers and their communities.
The funding provides the following student expenses: travel, lodging and meals. For the workshop in November, students must either drive personal vehicles or take Amtrak as no air travel is available for this course. In addition, an incentive of $175 per day is available to all training participants of these programs, except those who are able to secure regular pay through their employer, or are paid union officers.
Additional course dates and locations will be announced at a later date. For more information, or to schedule a program in your area, please call the IBT Rail Workers Hazmat Training Program at (202) 624-6963 or visit:
railworkertrainingprogram.org.
The November workshop is slated to begin with an orientation on November 8 at 5:30 p.m. The workshop concludes in time for an afternoon departure on November 13.
Members are encouraged to download and print this flyer (PDF) to post at on-duty locations.