49 CFR - Code of Federal Regulations published by the United States Department of Transportation. These regulations govern all modes of transport of dangerous goods/hazardous materials to/from or within the United States and it's territories.
DANGEROUS GOODS / HAZARDOUS MATERIALS / HAZMAT - Articles or substances which are capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety or property when transported.
HAZMAT EMPLOYEE - Definition from 49 CFR (171.8) means a person who is employed by a hazmat employer and who in the course of employment directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety. This term includes an owner-operator of a motor vehicle which transports hazardous materials in commerce. This term also includes an individual, employed by a hazmat employer who, during the course of employment:
- loads, unloads, or handles hazardous materials;
- manufactures, tests, reconditions, repairs, modifies, marks, or otherwise represents containers, drums, or packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of hazardous materials;
- prepares hazardous materials for transportation;
- is responsible for safety of transporting hazardous materials;
- operates a vehicle to transport hazardous materials.
HAZMAT EMPLOYER - Definition from 49 CFR (171.8) means a person who uses one or more of its employees in connection with: transporting hazardous materials in commerce; causing hazardous materials to be shipped in commerce; or repairing, or modifying containers, drums, or packages as qualifying for use in the transportation of hazardous materials. This term includes an owner-operator of a motor vehicle which transports hazardous materials in commerce. This term also includes any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an Indian tribe engaged in an activity described in the first sentence of this paragraph.
IATA - International Air Transport Association. Comprised of member international airlines which establish regulations for uniform safety and interline exchange. For more information on IATA, see http://www.iata.org/cargo/dg/.
INITIAL - Programs designed for both first-time users and for those whose certification has expired. Both international and United States law dictates that anyone with an expired dangerous goods certification must enroll in Initial certification programs. Initial programs cover introduction to the applicable regulations to full certification for job specific training.
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS CODE / IMDG CODE - The recommendations for the international transportation of dangerous goods by vessel. This document is based on the recommendations from the UN Committee of Experts, The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS), and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/78, as amended (MARPOL).
MULTI-MODAL - Transport of dangerous goods/hazardous materials by all modes (air, ocean, highway and rail). Multi-modal seminars cover IATA, IMDG and 49 CFR.
RECURRENT - Programs designed for those needing recertification and still holding a current dangerous goods certification. Current law states that certification is valid for 24 months for IATA. United States law states Recurrent training must take place within 3 years (applicable to 49 CFR and IMDG).