The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is pleased to announce the following HazMat/Chemical Emergency Response Training Programs. 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: air travel, lodging and meals. In addition, an incentive of $175.00 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. Training will be conducted at the Houston Fire Department’s Val Jahnke Training Facility, 8030 Braniff Street Houston, TX 77061.

Programs begin Sunday evenings* at 5:30 p.m. and conclude Fridays at 1:00 p.m. Students may be asked to travel on Saturdays to meet program start times or where substantial reductions in airfare warrant. When registering, please select dates in order of preference:

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40 Hr Chemical Emergency Response Course
10/13-10/18/2024
01/12-01/17/2025
02/16-02/21/2025
03/16-03/21/2025

Location
Val Jahnke Training Facility – Houston, TX

Rail Workers Training Courses
Online registration is required for all classes. We are continually adding courses.

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SAFETY AND HEALTH COURSES

40 Hr Chemical Emergency Response Course

This course satisfies the worker training requirements for initial training of operations level emergency responders.  The course covers the material required by the OSHA standards, DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations and meets the requirements of the NIEHS Minimum Criteria.  The course is applicable to all industrial emergency responders, but emphasizes the incidents and hazards of hazardous materials in transportation, and specifically rail transportation.

COVID-19 and Infectious Disease Response Awareness Training Course

This course is designed to increase workers’ knowledge of hazards they may encounter on a job site related to potential occupational exposures to SARS CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Training will explain what is SARS-CoV-2, how is it spread, symptoms, how to protect workers, cleaning and disinfecting, and vaccination.

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10-Hr OSHA General Industry Safety and Health Outreach Course

This course is intended to increase workers knowledge on hazards they may encounter on a job site and their rights. Training emphasizes hazard identification, avoidance, control, and prevention.

2-Hr Hazard Recognition Course at the Awareness level

This course provides the safety & health awareness training which one may encounter during a possible hazardous material incident. For the purpose of this 2-hour course, the concentration will be mainly geared towards topics such as, hazard recognition, hazard communication, routes of entry, the emergency response guidebook, the hazards of working in and around silica, and Whistleblower protection for railroad employees.

2-Hr Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Awareness Training (Self-Paced)

This free course is designed to increase workers’ knowledge of heat injury and illness prevention. This course will cover topics on heat stress and how it can impact your health and safety at work, how heat stress and illness can be prevented, and strategies your employer can use to minimize your risk of exposure.