HAZMAT/radiological training available to railroad members

National Labor College hosts expenses-paid instruction

RAILROAD LODGES THAT wish to send a representative to the National Labor College’s Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program or the Radiological Transportation Train-the-Trainer Course should advise interested members to apply immediately (applicants may apply online at www.hazmatgmc.org). The NLC has posted its 2008-09 schedule for these courses, and space is limited.

All courses will be taught at the George Meany Campus in Silver Spring, Md. Travel, lodging, and meal costs are provided by a federal grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and support from the North American Railway Foundation. In addition, those attending the HAZMAT classes are eligible for a $550 incentive if they are unable to secure regular pay from their railroad employer during class attendance.

The 2008-09 course schedules are as follows:

The hazardous materials training qualifies for three academic credits from the NLC. It addresses OSHA- and DOT-required procedures and different levels of response and worker protection in various areas: a hazardous materials emergency or release, weapons of mass destruction awareness, and the incident command system. It also includes components required to complete OSHA 10-hour outreach training. Training includes advanced classrooms instruction, small group activities, intensive hands-on drills, and a simulated HAZMAT response in full safety gear.

The radiological class is the DOD-sponsored Modular Emergency Radiological Transportation (MERRTT) train-the-trainer course, which includes 16 hours of instruction. Interested rail workers may register online at www.hazmatgmc.org, or they may register by phone (301-439-2440) or fax (301-628-0165).

Printed applications may be mailed to:

Hazmat Training Program
National Labor College
10000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20903

For more information, contact Carol Rodgers at crodgers@nlc.edu.