Hazmat Training: What is HM-126F?

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HM-126F and DOT Hazmat Training

Q: I was told that my shipping/receiving team needs to have hazmat training related to "HM-126F." Does Lion offer this type of training?"

A: Yes—Lion offers this type of training. "HM-126F" is a US DOT docket number commonly used to refer to the training requirements for “hazmat employees” in the Hazardous Materials Regulations or HMR (49 CFR Part 172.704). Lion offers hazmat training to help satisfy DOT/PHMSA requirements.

(Related: What is HM-181?)

What is “HM-126F”? 

HM-126F was the docket number assigned to a Final Rule titled Training for Safe Transportation of Hazardous Materials in 1992.

The 1992 Final Rule (HM-126F):  

• Added a new Subpart H—Training to 49 CFR Part 172.
• Created the first “categories” of hazmat training, including general awareness/familiarization training, function-specific training, and safety training.
• Added definitions for “hazmat employee” and “hazmat employer” to 49 CFR 171.8.

From the HM-126F Rule: 

“The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure that each hazmat employer trains its hazmat employees regarding safe loading, unloading, handling, storing, and transporting of hazardous materials and emergency preparedness…” 

[57 FR 20944. May 15, 1992.]

The HMR continued to evolve after HM-126F, of course. US DOT added two additional categories of training to the requirements for “hazmat employees” in 2004, for example, security awareness training and security plan training. More: Hazmat Training FAQ. 

Because HM-126F re-organized the hazmat training rules, created categories for training, and added key definitions, many people still use this docket number to refer to the hazmat training rules found in 49 CFR Part 172.704.
For professionals starting a career in hazmat transportation today, recognizing the term HM-126F and understanding why people use it makes for clearer communication with colleagues and a better understanding of the history of hazmat regulation in the US.

More: Hazmat Training FAQ.