If You Own or Operate Regulated USTs, You Need This Course!
This new Underground Storage Tank (UST) Operator Training Course is part of a new required training program for the operation of regulated USTs. An example of a regulated facility is a retail fuel facility.
The U.S. EPA has established new minimum training requirements for designated Class A, Class B, and Class C operators to ensure that those who own and operate regulated underground storage tanks understand how to operate and maintain their UST systems properly. The federal regulations dictate that all regulated UST facilities must have a trained Class A, B, and C operator by October 13, 2018.
UST Operator Classes
For the purposes of implementing the new UST operator training requirements, three classes of operators have been identified:
- The Class A operator is typically the manager in charge of resources and personnel and is responsible for operating and maintaining the regulated UST system.
- The Class B operator is designated by the owner/operator to have day-to-day responsibility for the regulated UST system.
- The Class C operator is an individual designated by the owner/operator to be responsible for initially responding to emergencies and typically controls the dispensing or sale of regulated substances.
Each regulated UST facility must have a Class A, Class B, and Class C operator designated. All individuals designated as Class A, B, or C operators must, at a minimum, be trained according to the corresponding criteria.
Topics Covered
The NJDEP is combining the subjects for Class A and Class B in this new class that will cover the federally required training curriculum for A/B operators. Topics include:
- Regulatory requirements applicable to UST systems;
- Financial responsibility;
- Notification and storage tank registration;
- Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases;
- Operation and maintenance of regulated UST systems;
- Spill and overfill prevention;
- Release detection and related reporting;
- Corrosion protection and related testing;
- Product and equipment compatibility; and
- Training requirements for Class C operators (A/B operators may be responsible for training).
UST Class A/B Operator Exam
Completion of the A/B operator training program requires passing the Class A/B operator examination given by the International Code Council (ICC). You will receive a practice exam after finishing the classroom course, which will help you to successfully prepare for this exam. To register for the exam, visit https://www.iccsafe.org/certification-exam-catalog. Use the exam code "NJ" to search for the exam and register.
For more information about New Jersey's A/B Operator training program, please see the NJDEP website at http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/ust.html.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone who owns or operates a regulated UST facility or wishes to be employed as a designated Class A or Class B operator will need to take this course by October 13, 2018.
Instructors
NJDEP staff from the Bureau of UST Compliance & Enforcement will be teaching this program and available throughout the course to answer questions regarding the new federal regulations.
NOTE: These new federal designations and corresponding training requirements are different from the state's regulatory training that is mandated for all New Jersey UST certified service providers every three years. |
