Short Line Safety Institute Launches Hazardous Materials Instructor Training for Short Line Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 6, 2018 – The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) today announced the launch of a new program for short line and regional railroads – Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT). The training will be provided at no cost to Class II or Class III railroads.

The SLSI is uniquely positioned to provide Hazmat education and training with its experience in assessing safety culture strengths and needs of small business railroads. During SLSI Safety Culture Assessments, many small railroads identified HazMat training as an area where additional resources would add value.

“The Hazardous Materials Instructor Training program complements the training currently being offered by a railroad to their employees,” said Tom Murta, Executive Director of the SLSI. “Through this program, SLSI will provide the resources necessary to ensure railroad employees understand the requirements for transporting hazardous materials. We are offering a meaningful solution to an industry challenge.”

The short line HMIT program was developed and will be deployed under a $500,000 grant by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The curriculum for the program was designed with input from Hazmat experts from Class Is, short lines, and rail Hazmat transportation subject matter experts. The combined Hazmat industry experience of the development and implementation team is over 500 years.

The training is flexible, able to meet the needs of any size railroad. Additionally, the materials can be presented directly to a single railroad, for a group of railroads or as a drill or exercise. Most of the offerings in this phase will be train-the-trainer format. The training is designed to supplement the existing training at the railroads for their hazmat employees.

“We developed the program materials with the needs of small railroads in mind. The program is free to short line railroads, and the implementation is very cost-effective for small railroads. said Murta. “We can also modify the program for a railroad to meet their unique training needs.”

For more information, or to schedule a HMIT program, contact Michele Malski, Manager of Safety Programs, SLSI, at (202)-567-2820 or e-mail HMIT@shortlinesafety.org.