[Federal Register: April 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 71)]
[Notices]
[Page 19934-19936]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ap08-138]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2008-22720 (Notice No. 08-04)]
Hazardous Materials Instructor Training Grants Program;
Availability of Funds
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA) announces the availability of funds and solicitation of
applications for grants to be awarded under the Hazardous Materials
Instructor Training (HMIT) Grants Program for fiscal year 2009. The
HMIT Grants Program is open to non-profit hazardous materials (hazmat)
employee organizations demonstrating expertise in conducting a training
program for hazmat employees, and the ability to reach a target
population of hazmat employees. For the purposes of the HMIT Grants
program, an ``employee organization'' is a labor union, association,
group, or similar organization the members of which are hazmat
employees and the stated purpose of which is to represent hazmat
employees.
DATES: Application packages will be available April 15, 2008. Completed
applications must be submitted by July 15, 2008. Grants will be awarded
in September 2008.
ADDRESSES: Applications may be submitted electronically at http://
www.grants.gov or mailed to Charles G. Rogoff, HMIT Grants Manager,
Office of Hazardous Materials Planning and Analysis; Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; U.S. Department of
Transportation; Room E23-301; East Building 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles G. Rogoff, HMIT Grants
Manager; Office of Hazardous Materials Planning and Analysis; Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; U.S. Department of
Transportation; Room E23-301; East Building 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE.,
Washington, DC 20590; Telephone: 202-366-0001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Availability of Funds. The Hazardous Materials Transportation
Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005 (the Act; Title VII of
Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144 (August 10, 2005)) provides for the
Secretary of Transportation, subject to the availability of funds, to
make grants for training instructors to train hazardous materials
employees (hazmat employees) and, to the extent determined appropriate,
for such instructors to train hazmat employees. The Hazardous Materials
Instructor Training (HMIT) Grants Program is funded by registration
fees collected from certain hazardous materials shippers and carriers
in accordance with 49 CFR Part 107, Subpart G. Approximately $4,000,000
will be awarded in September 2008 for the HMIT Grants Program. These
awards are available for use during a twelve-month budget period
[October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009]. We expect grant awards to
range from $250,000 to $500,000 depending upon the number and quality
of applications received. We encourage the addition of non-Federal
funds to support the training program, but cost-sharing or matching
funding is not required.
Objective of the HMIT Grants Program. The objective of the HMIT
Grants Program is to ``train the trainer''--that is, to train hazmat
[[Page 19935]]
instructors who will then train hazmat employees in the proper handling
of hazardous materials. Properly planned and maintained training
programs are essential to ensuring that hazmat employees receive an
initial and continuing understanding of the risks involved in
transporting hazardous materials, the relevant requirements that have
to be met, and the need for performing their duties in a way that will
ensure their safety and the safety of others. Experience shows that
effective training of employees can effectively reduce risk and the
likelihood of hazmat incidents. Effective training of employees is key
to ensuring that hazardous materials are transported safely.
Due to budget and other limitations, many hazmat employees cannot
leave their employment locations for extended periods of time to attend
training courses. Instructors trained under this grant program can
offer training to a large number of hazmat employees at locations
within close proximity to the hazmat employees' places of employment,
thereby significantly minimizing employee travel cost and training
time.
As provided by the Act, funds awarded to an organization in
accordance with the HMIT Grants Program may be used to train hazmat
instructors and, to the extent determined to be appropriate, for such
instructors to train hazmat employees. PHMSA has determined that,
because we have limited funding available, grants awarded for FY 2009
(October 1, 2008-September 30, 2009) must be used exclusively for
``train the trainer'' programs. Grant funds are not authorized to be
used to fund an organization's existing hazmat training program.
Eligibility. The HMIT Grants Program is open to non-profit
hazardous materials employee organizations demonstrating: (1) Expertise
in conducting a training program for hazmat employees, and (2) the
ability to reach a target population of hazmat employees. For the
purposes of the HMIT Grants program, an ``employee organization'' is a
labor union, association, group, or similar organization the members of
which are hazardous materials employees and the stated purpose of which
is to represent hazmat employees.
Two or more non-profit hazmat employee organizations may team
together to submit a joint grant application. A hazmat employee, as
defined under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts
171-180), is a person who, in the course of full time, part time, or
temporary employment, directly affects hazardous materials
transportation safety. Hazmat employees include self-employed persons,
including owner-operators of motor vehicles, vessel, or aircraft
crewmembers and employees, and railroad signalmen and maintenance-of-
way employees. The term includes a person who:
(1) Loads, unloads, or handles hazardous materials;
(2) Designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, marks, maintains,
reconditions, repairs, or tests a package, container or packaging
component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified
for use in transporting hazardous material in commerce.
(3) Prepares hazardous materials for transportation;
(4) Is responsible for safety of transporting hazardous materials;
or
(5) Operates a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials.
In accordance with Sec. 172.704 of the HMR hazmat employees must
be trained in four areas:
(1) General awareness/familiarization training providing
familiarity with the requirements of the HMR and enabling the hazmat
employee to recognize and identify hazardous materials consistent with
the hazard communication requirements of the HMR,
(2) Function-specific training concerning the requirements of the
HMR specifically applicable to the functions performed by the hazmat
employee,
(3) Safety training including measures to protect the employee from
the hazards associated with the hazardous materials to which he or she
may be exposed in the workplace, and
(4) Security awareness training providing an awareness of the
security risks associated with hazardous materials transportation and
measures to enhance transportation security.
For example, function-specific training would include training for
persons who are responsible for preparing shipments for transportation,
including selecting an appropriate packaging, filling the packaging,
applying applicable package marks and labels, and preparing shipping
documentation. Function-specific training would also include training
for persons responsible for performing transportation functions, such
as loading or unloading of containers and transport conveyances. Safety
training would address training related to the specific hazards
associated with the materials to which a hazmat employee may be exposed
and protective measures in the event of an emergency, such as hazards
and protective measures associated with ethanol fuel blends.
Application requirements. The requirements in 49 CFR Part 19,
``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit
Organizations'' apply to the HMIT grant program.
An applicant must address the following factors:
(1) Qualification as a non-profit hazmat employee organization,
including the type or types of hazmat employees represented and the
number of employees represented.
(2) Expertise and experience in conducting hazmat employee trainer
education programs.
(3) Ability to train hazmat instructors to reach and involve a
target population of hazmat employees.
(4) Training needs assessment for the target population of hazmat
instructors and employees. The purpose of a needs assessment is to
assess the level of understanding held by students and compare this
with the desired level of understanding at the completion of training.
Also required is an estimate of the numbers of instructors and
employees requiring training. The training curriculum and delivery
methods must be flexible enough to address the needs of the students as
determined by the needs assessment.
(5) Prioritization of training needs based on the needs assessment.
(6) A training curriculum for the instructors to be trained in the
program and an explanation of how the training will be provided (e.g.,
classroom instruction, self-directed training using booklets, CD or DVD
modules, or computer-based programs). The training curriculum must
include details on the specific HMR training requirements that will be
covered.
(7) A process for assessing the effectiveness of the training
program(s) and evaluating students. This process will involve a
continuous system for evaluating and monitoring employee competencies
including changes in regulatory requirements, business or operational
practices, introduction of new equipment or procedures or any change in
business processes that require revised or new competencies on the part
of hazmat employees. Course evaluation involves the evaluation of
student performance as well the evaluation of the trainer, and the
training program.
(8) A process to validate that the training program accomplished
its intended purpose and its objectives were achieved in the most cost
effective
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manner. Validation involves the hazmat employer, the hazmat employee
and the trainer and the training organization.
(9) A statement-of-work describing the amount of funding requested
and the activities for which the funding will be used.
Review and selection process. A committee of Federal agency
representatives with expertise in hazmat instructor training programs
will evaluate the grant applications. Each grant application will be
evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:
(1) Organization demonstrates quantified need for training (15%).
(2) Degree to which the proposed training program meets the
identified training needs (15%).
(3) Number of instructors to be trained (15%).
(4) Projected number of hazmat employees each instructor is
expected to train (10%).
(5) Projected impact of the training in reducing risk and enhancing
hazmat transportation safety (15%).
(6) Organization's prior experience in providing hazmat instructor
and employee training and the facilities/mechanisms in place to conduct
the training (10%).
(7) Efficiency and cost associated with conducting the training
(10%)
(8) Ability to account for program expenditures and program
outcomes (10%).
The PHMSA Administrator will have the final approval to evaluate
and select applicants and award financial assistance. The agency may
ask an applicant to modify its objectives, work plan, or budget and
provide supplemental information prior to award. The Administrator's
decision is final.
Issued in Washington, DC on April 7, 2008.
Theodore L. Willke,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. E8-7703 Filed 4-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P