A lot of questions have surfaced regarding Operator Training for UST Sites. Hope this helps!
Why UST Operator Training?
- To Improve UST Compliance
- To Meet Requirements Set Forth by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and by State and Federal law and regulation
- To Reduce the Potential for Environmental Harm from UST Releases
Who Needs To Be Trained?
Each underground storage tank facility must have a Class A, Class B, and Class C operator designated for that facility. Separate individuals may be designated for each class of operator, or an individual may be designated to more than one of the operator classes. An individual who is designated to more than one operator class must be trained in each operator class for which he or she is designated. Class A or Class B operators will be responsible for making sure their Class C operators are properly trained.
What is the difference between A, B, and C Operator training?
Class A – The Class A operator has primary responsibility to operate and maintain the underground storage tank (UST) system. Those responsibilities include managing resources and personnel such as establishing work assignments to achieve and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. In general, the Class A focuses on the broader aspects of the statutory and regulatory requirements and standards necessary to operate and maintain a UST system. At a minimum, Class A operators must be certified in the following areas:
- A general knowledge of applicable federal and state UST system requirements for operation, maintenance, and recordkeeping including, but not limited to —
- Release prevention
- Release detection
- Emergency response
- Product compatibility
- Financial responsibility requirements
- Notification requirements
- Release and suspected release reporting requirements
- Temporary and permanent closure requirements
- Operator training requirements
Class B – The Class B operator implements applicable UST regulatory requirements and standards in the field. The Class B implements day-to-day aspects of operating, maintaining and record keeping for USTs at one or more facilities.
- An in-depth knowledge of UST system requirements for day-to-day operation, maintenance, and recordkeeping including, but not limited to —
- Release prevention
- Release detection
- Components of UST Systems
- Materials of UST system components
- Product compatibility
- Reporting requirements
- Class C operator training requirements
Class C – The Class C is an employee and is, generally, the first line of response to events indicating emergency conditions. This individual is responsible for responding to alarms or other indications of emergencies caused by spills or releases from UST systems. The Class C operator notifies the Class B or A operator and appropriate emergency responders when necessary.
- Controls or monitors the dispensing or sale of regulated substances, or
- Is responsible for initial response to alarms or releases
Class C operators, at a minimum, must be trained to:
- Take action in response to emergency situations posing an immediate danger to the public or to the environment (e.g., spills or releases from a UST system)
- Take action in response to alarms caused by spills or releases from a UST system
For more information, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ust/class-a-and-class-b-ust-operator.