What is Class A, B and C Operator Training?
The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 made UST operator training mandatory for states receiving funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, section 1524 of the Energy Policy Act established the basic operator classes and definitions and tasked the EPA, in cooperation with states, with developing operator training guidelines.
What is a Class A Operator?
Class A operators:
- Manage resources and personnel;
- Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations;
- Ensure that required records are kept; and
- Ensure that operators at the facility are trained to respond to releases, spills, and other emergencies.
Class A operators must be trained on:
- Spill and overfill prevention;
- Methods of release detection and corrosion protection;
- Emergency response procedures;
- Product and equipment compatibility;
- Financial responsibility;
- Registration and spill notification;
- Release and suspected release reporting and recordkeeping;
- Requirements for temporary and permanent closure; and
- Training requirements for Class B and Class C operators.
Sign up For Class A Operator Training
What is a Class B Operator?
Class B operators have responsibility for the daily operation and maintenance of a UST facility.
Class B operators:
- Meet release detection recordkeeping and reporting requirements;
- Meet release prevention recordkeeping and reporting requirements;
- Ensure that equipment complies with industry standards; and
- Train personnel to properly respond to emergencies caused by releases or spills.
Class B operators must be trained on:
- Materials and components of UST systems, and their operation and maintenance;
- Spill and overfill prevention;
- Methods of release detection and corrosion protection;
- Emergency response procedures;
- Product and equipment compatibility;
- Financial responsibility;
- Registration and spill notification;
- Release and suspected release reporting and recordkeeping;
- Requirements for temporary and permanent closure; and
- Training requirements for Class B and Class C operators.
Sign up For Class B Operator Training
What is a Class C Operator?
Class C operators are the first responders to emergency situations at a UST facility. They are usually clerks of the facility.
Class C operators:
- Respond to alarms, releases, and other emergency situations;
- Control and/or monitor the dispensing or sale of regulated substances; and
- May monitor fuel delivery to the tanks.
Class C operators must be trained on:
- How to respond to emergencies (such as situations posing an immediate danger or threat to the public or to the environment and that require immediate action) and alarms caused by spills or releases from an underground storage tank system.