Hazmat Training (DOT, IATA, IMDG)

Lion’s hazmat shipper certification courses provide hazmat training required by the US Department of Transportation (DOT/49 CFR), the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and the IMDG Code.

US DOT requires hazmat training for all employees who can affect the safety of hazardous materials in transportation, including employees who:

See a more detailed definition of "hazmat employee" on the Hazmat FAQ page, or see 49 CFR 171.8.

Key regulations about the timing and frequency of hazmat training:  

• New hazmat employees must be trained within 90 days of hire/assignment.
• Hazmat training must be repeated at least every three years (every 24 months for air shippers).
• New hazmat employees must work under supervision until trained.
• Employers must keep records of hazmat training.
• The minimum civil penalty for hazmat training violations is >$500 per day, per employee.
• The maximum civil penalty for a typical hazmat violation is >$90,000 per day, per violation.

[See 49 CFR 172.704 and 49 U.S.C. 5123]

Find more details about when and how often to provide hazmat training for employees on the Hazmat Training FAQ page.

Hazmat training must conform to DOT training standards in 49 CFR 172.704.

All hazmat employee training must address three topic areas:

• Hazmat general awareness,
• Function-specific hazmat training, and 
• Hazmat security awareness.

Some hazmat employees must be trained in additional areas:

• Hazmat safety training is required for employees who handle hazardous materials. 
• Hazmat security plan training is required if the facility is required to maintain a security plan.

[49 CFR 172.704(a)(1)–(a)(5)]

Q: Do I need hazmat safety training?

A: US DOT’s official policy is that “safety training” is required for hazmat employees who physically handle or transport hazmat packages and who may be exposed to hazmat as a result of a transportation accident. This is understood to include packers, warehouse personnel, drivers, train crews, and employees who load/unload aircraft and vessels. [See 57 FR 20949, May 15, 1992]

Read more: What is Hazmat Safety Training & Who Needs it?

Q: Do I need hazmat Security Plan training?

A: US DOT requires some hazmat shippers to create and maintain a security plan. If your facility is required to have a security plan, then hazmat employees must receive training on their responsibilities under the plan.  

Read more: Who Needs a Hazmat Security Plan? 

Typically, hazmat air shippers need additional training on the International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR). Vessel shippers will need more training on the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).

IATA DGR Hazmat Training for Air Shippers

If you offer hazardous materials/dangerous goods for transport by passenger or cargo aircraft, you must know the unique, additional IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) requirements that apply to the air mode. The IATA DGR Section 1.5 requires hazmat training once every 24 months for all employees involved in preparing or offering shipments for air transport.

Lion’s IATA DGR training is intended for hazardous materials/dangerous goods shipping personnel defined in IATA DGR Table 1.5A, categories 1, 2, 3, and 4—shippers, packers, and freight forwarder staff and personnel.

IMDG Code Hazmat Training for Vessel Shippers

If your business ships hazmat by vessel, your shipments must comply with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) as well as DOT's 49 CFR hazmat regulations.

For shippers in the US, the IMDG Code Section 1.3 requires hazmat employee training once every three years.

In addition to costly civil penalties, failure to comply with domestic and international hazmat shipping and training regulations can result in rejected shipments, incidents in transit, property damage, and injury to employees or the public.

Learn more: Dangerous Goods Training FAQ