Due to the potential dangers that come with hazardous materials, free online hazmat training has been designed for the training of people who help to manage and control hazardous waste found in the environment.
During my secondary school days, there was this particular teacher that always punish students by telling them to clear up the waste that was improperly disposed of within the school compound instead of flogging them.
Initially, we didn’t know his reasons for using that to punish students, because other teachers we know in the school prefer using a cane or other forms of physical punishment.
At a time, this action of his made us understand the importance of managing waste and hazardous materials. Thereafter, it became very clear to everyone why he chose to use that as a punishment, and I guess that was why the responsibility of sanitation was left to his care. That was it!
Non-proper disposal of used cans, nylons, cartons, plastics, steels, and other nondegradable materials used for Industrial packaging into the environment has caused serious damage to the earth’s four “spheres’ -hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and the biosphere.
Also, harmful chemical compounds such as carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, lead oxides, e.t.c which mainly come from running engines cause serious health issues to humans when swallowed, inhaled, or contracted. They affect the respiratory, nervous, circulatory, digestive, and reproductive systems of man and animals.
What about oil spillage? The effect of oil spillage over land and water is extremely toxic and therefore cannot be overemphasized. The introduction of oil into oceans, and its alike causes death and health risks to aquatic animals.
Spilled oil on land prevents water absorption by the soil, and spills on agricultural locations or grasslands have the effect of choking off plant life.
If we continue to talk about the effect of each harmful material, then we may not be able to look at other important concepts of hazmat.
Having said this, let’s quickly get to know what exactly hazmat is.
What Is Hazmat?
Hazmat is an abbreviation for “hazardous materials”. It is any substance that may pose a reasonable risk to health, property, the environment, and the earth in general. Hazmats include substances such as harmful chemicals, fuels, nuclear waste products, biological waste products, chemical waste products, and radiological agents.
The term “hazmat” is also commonly used to refer to the protective suits worn by people who work in contact with hazardous materials.
Protection Levels for HAZMAT Workers
Another vital demarcation for hazardous materials relates to the protection needed for the people who work with them. OSHA defines four HAZMAT worker protection levels, identified by the letters A, B, C, and D.
Level A offers the most protection against hazardous materials, while Level D offers the least.
Emergency Response Levels
Categories of hazmat-related conditions are demanded by law in most countries and they assist in the safe and efficient manufacture, usage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials.
The classification system is also extremely useful in situations where multiple materials are involved, for example, numerous chemicals being used in a manufacturing process, or even being stored or transported in close proximity.
As recorded by the National Fire Protection Association:
- Level 1 incident involves hazardous materials that can be contained, extinguished, and/or abated using immediately available public sector responders having authority.
Incidents at this level present little risk to the environment. - Level 2 incident involves hazardous materials that are above the powers of the first responders on the location and could be above the capabilities of the public sector responders having authority. These incidents can pose a quick and long-term risk to the environment and public health and may need state or federal-level emergency service.
- Level 3 incident involves hazardous materials above the capabilities of a single state or regional response team and requires additional assistance.
Incidents at this level generally pose an intense, quick, or long-term risk to the environment and public health.
Why Should People Be Trained For Hazmat Response?
During the cause of their training, they learn the importance of waste management and how to effectively respond to hazmat incidents.
The primary role of the Hazmat Management Response Team (HMRT) is to inform rightful authorities of hazmat releases and to initiate a fitting response.
Today, there are several free online hazmat training courses available for people who wish to learn and explore the hazmat field. Continue reading to find out about these top courses.
Benefits of Free Online Hazmat Training
Before we proceed with listing the benefits of free online hazmat training, you can quickly check out some free online learning platforms where you can get good quality learning.
Take a look at the benefits below.
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Requirements for online hazmat training
There are no special requirements for enrolling in free online hazmat training courses, you just need to have;
- A good working computer
- Knowledge of how to use a computer
- Fair internet access
- ability to read and write
- An email account.
9 Best Free Online Hazmat Training Courses
We have made a collection of the best and most enrolled free online hazmat training courses. take a look at them below.
Note that you can take the courses at your own pace, and at a time and location that is convenient for you.
- Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Training
- Chlorine Saftey Training
- Chlorine Emergency
- Ethanol Training and Emergency Response
- Rail Safety Training
- Steel Drums 101 for Emergency Responders
- Hazmat Training for Health Care Providers
- Transportation Hazards in Agriculture
- Hazmat Awareness for First Responders
Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Training
Overall goals of the training programs are to increase the responder’s awareness and understanding of the risks and potential outcomes associated with an anhydrous ammonia incident as well as enhance their ability to recognize and identify the presence of ammonia in an emergency using current placards, labels, containers, tank construction, and other information.
The course also helps viewers gain an understanding of the additional resources available, provide basic knowledge of the hazards of anhydrous ammonia and its chemical and physical properties, and perform basic control and confinement operations. The training is available in videos.
Chlorine Safety Training
The Chlorine Institute and its member companies developed the Chlorine Safety Tour video as a “train the trainer” tool for responding to chlorine emergencies. These videos cover chlorine chemical and physical properties, chlorine emergency response considerations, and chlorine tank cars and rail safety.
It also reviews the proper use of chlorine emergency response kits that are used to mitigate leaks from chlorine cylinders, ton containers, and tank car and tank truck valves.
Chlorine Emergency
This course comes in form of video. This course was developed to help first responders prepare to act in those critical first 15 minutes – what to do when the call comes in, what to expect on-scene, and where to find the resources needed to contain a release.
The video includes information on resources for mobile devices, security & antiterrorism considerations, and an explanation of shelter-in-place, and chlorine release footage.
A certificate of completion is awarded after successful completion of the course.
Rail Safety Training
This free online hazmat training was created by The American Petroleum Institute (API), the Association of American Railroads (AAR), and their member companies. They have worked to create a general awareness educational video and resources for first responders.
The free course can be viewed online, or it can be presented in person upon request. Requests for in-person course instruction should be directed to your TRANSCAER State Coordinator.
The course is meant to provide the specific information first responders need to know before approaching an incident involving crude oil moved by rail.
Steel Drums 101 for Emergency Responders
Hazmat Awareness for First Responders
This online course is generally created to train Health care workers in a hospital environment who may potentially have contact with a contaminated patient.
The course is divided into four sections.
- Section 1: Hospital ‘First Receivers’ and Contaminated Patients in the Hospital
- Section 2: Recognizing Hazardous Substances in the Emergency Department
- Section 3: Understanding The Hospital’s Response Plan & Your Role
- Section 4: Common Hazardous Substances in Your Community
You will be awarded a certificate of completion after you have successfully completed the course.
Free online hazmat training – FAQs
What is the average cost of hazmat training?
The cost of hazmat training differs from one school/site to another, and also from one level to another. But the average cost is about $350.
How Do I Get Free Hazmat Training Materials?
You can get free training materials in some of the schools or sites that provide free hazmat training. Take for example TRANSCEAR, which we already mentioned above.