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unless PHMSA extends the phase-out period before the end of the year. After that, packages previously shipped as ORM-D will require different markings. A hazmat training course – whether online or in-person – that fails to address this change will misinform shippers and lead to supply chain confusion.
THE NUMBER OF US-based industry professionals who rely on online dangerous goods training had been rising since before the Covid-19 pandemic began. Now, given the social distancing requirements and limits on in-person gatherings faced by many due to the pandemic, online training has become a must-have tool to inform employees and maintain compliance. Many have speculated this year that online meetings, events and training may be the “new normal” for schoolkids and professionals alike. If this is the case, finding an effective online training platform is crucial for organisations
ACCURATE AND UP TO DATE Dangerous goods regulations are not written in stone. The requirements for highway, rail, air and vessel shipments change frequently. Outdated training can misinform and confuse employees, leading to unforced errors, rejected shipments, and even civil penalties for avoidable violations. When regulatory compliance is part of your job, reliable, up-to-date training is a must. There are three questions to ask about any online course: • When was the course created or last updated?
CONVENIENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY Online learning has one key advantage over in-person training: you can access it anywhere you want. At least that’s the idea. In the real world, your experience of any internet-based service may vary depending on factors like your device, operating system, web browser, connection speed, security settings, and so on. When evaluating online training options, ask if technical support is available for trainees who run into predictable hiccups that every computer user experiences from time to time. Also, keep in mind the devices your employees will likely use. Is the course compatible with desktop computer only? Or can employees use tablets, smartphones or other mobile devices to complete it? When we talk about ‘online’ anything, we generally mean the internet we all use at work, at home, and on the road. The internet we can access pretty much everywhere. Training that is only available via an internal corporate learning management system or intranet limits how, when and where employees can access training. Dangerous goods regulations are not very user-friendly. But that’s no reason to expect dangerous goods training to be complex or frustrating. Easy-to-use navigation tools are an important part of online learning — especially when the content itself is dense and difficult to understand, like dangerous goods regulations are.
involved in dangerous goods transportation. Employers should not have to choose between quality and convenience when they incorporate online learning into a dangerous goods training programme. These four key factors will help you capitalise on the benefits of online learning and avoid its major drawbacks.
• Does the provider have a reputation for quality training? • Will the provider answer trainees’ questions about the course content? Consider this concrete example: In the US, the ORM-D classification for ground shipments will not be permitted after 31 December 2020,
Before you purchase an online course, ask for a demo so that you can get acquainted with the training you expect employees to complete. You should know what to expect before you purchase any online training especially for subjects as consequential as dangerous goods transport.
THE NEW NORMAL? TRAINING • IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING, THE BENEFITS OF ONLINE TRAINING HAVE COME TO THE FORE BUT, SAYS LION TECHNOLOGY’S ROGER MARKS*, THERE ARE DRAWBACKS
HCB MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2020
