Society for Chemical Hazard Communication  Professional Development Training

Multi-Modal Hazardous Materials / Dangerous Goods Classification Training

View Brochure - Available via Distance Training August 2024

Register Via GoToTraining - SCHC Members, obtain the Discount Code when logged into the SCHC website

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NOTE: You will receive a certificate upon passing the test.  Retraining is required per DOT regulation – see 49CFR172.704 which states:

Recurrent training. A hazmat employee must receive the training required by this subpart at least once every three years. For in-depth security training required under paragraph (a)(5) of this section, a hazmat employee must be trained at least once every three years or, if the security plan for which training is required is revised during the three-year recurrent training cycle, within 90 days of implementation of the revised plan.

IATA, however, requires retraining every 24 months. Since this is a multi-modal course that includes IATA – your certificate expires every 2 years.

The DOT cannot really enforce 24 months so you could decide to refresh every 3 years if you do not need to sign IATA shipping papers. You do not need to take a full course like this for a refresher. 

Course Description

This updated course covers DOT, IATA/ICAO (air transport) and the IMDG Code (ocean transport). The course combines lectures with classroom problem-solving and practical workshops. The curriculum focuses on the principles and practices of classifying, marking and labeling hazardous materials/dangerous goods. The successful completion of this 20-hour multi-modal course will meet the requirements for initial and recurrent training under the DOT, IATA/ICAO and the IMDG Code for individuals involved in the classification of hazardous materials/dangerous goods. While the main emphasis of the course will be classification and assignment of shipping descriptions, additional topics covered will be packaging, marking, labeling and placarding of hazardous materials shipments. This course is specifically designed for the hazard communicator. Classification is always the first and most important of the “Shipper’s responsibilities.” It dictates all other elements for compliance with the hazardous materials/dangerous goods regulations from shipping name selection to packaging, marking, labeling, documentation, and placarding. In this course, students will learn, via lectures, problems and examples, a systematic approach to evaluating physical, chemical and toxicological properties of compounds, mixtures and solutions. The resultant hazard determination leads to identification of the primary and subsidiary hazard class/ division and packing group. Reliable reference sources of relevant technical data will be identified and discussed. Hazard Classes 2-6 and 8-9 will be covered in detail. Explosives (Class 1) and Radioactive (Class 7) will not be covered in any detail. We recommend specialized courses for these hazard classes. Emphasis will be placed on hazard class definitions (including the UN/IMDG criteria for Marine Pollutants), tests and criteria, the Hazardous Materials Table and Dangerous Goods Lists, shipping name selection, packing group assignments, hierarchy of hazards and subsidiary hazards. Other topics covered will include recent changes in the regulations, marine pollutants, hazardous substances, elevated temperature materials and hazardous wastes. A brief overview of packaging, marking, labeling documentation, and placarding will be presented. Workshops will focus on classification examples for each class/division and selection of proper shipping names. A test will be administered at the end of the course and students who pass the test will be awarded a certificate that documents the successful completion of the course.

Intended Audience

Hazard communication professionals looking to develop their skills in completing Section 14 of the SDS and/or developing compliant shipping descriptions for their products.

Course Director / Instructor

Denese A. Deeds, CIH, FAIHA, SDSRP Denese Deeds is co-founder of Industrial Health & Safety Consultants (now IHSC, LLC) and is certified in the Comprehensive Practice of Industrial Hygiene by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. She has been consulting in the areas of Industrial Hygiene and Chemical Regulatory Affairs since 1981. In her position as Director of Chemical Regulatory Services she prepares SDS and other hazard communication documents, files international chemical registrations and assists companies with overall chemical regulatory compliance. As part of her practice, Denese has assisted clients in classifying their products for transport, developing shipping guidance for products and audited hazmat compliance programs. Prior to consulting, Ms. Deeds held industrial hygiene positions with Westinghouse Electric and General Electric. She is a fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the Academy of Industrial Hygiene and the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication, where she has served as President.

Course Instructor

Course Topics and Schedule

Keywords:  Hazmat, Dangerous Goods (DGAC), Hazardous Materials, Classification, Transport, Training, Certification