Oregon UST Operator Training | Class A/B & C
UST operator training in Oregon is required by federal law and is intended to ensure that those who own and operate underground storage tanks understand how to operate and maintain UST systems properly.
As required by the EPA, all UST operators must be trained by October 13, 2018. After this date:
- New Class A and B operators must be trained within 30 days of assuming duties.
- New Class C operators must be trained before assuming duties.
If you work at a facility in Oregon with an underground storage tank (UST), you will need to complete UST operator training based on your job responsibilities:
- Class A training is required for person(s) having primary responsibility for on-site operation and maintenance of UST systems (owner or operator of a UST facility).
- Class B training is required for persons involved with daily on-site operation and maintenance of UST systems.
- Class C training is required for daily on-site employees having primary responsibility for addressing emergencies presented by a spill or release from a UST system.
Oregon UST Operator Training
- UST Class A/B
- UST Class C
- State Agency/Regulations
Oregon UST Operator Class A/B Training
Oregon Class A operators have primary responsibility for on-site operation and maintenance of a UST facility. This individual is generally the owner of the station or the designee. For large corporations, this person is the manager or designee responsible for tank operations.
Oregon Class B operators have responsibility for the day-to-day aspects of operating, maintaining, and record keeping of a UST facility. This individual (or individuals) is generally the owner or the person/company contracted by the owner to maintain the tanks. For large corporations, this person is the employee, or person/company contracted by the corporation to maintain the tanks.
Description
Class A operators have primary responsibility for on-site operation and maintenance of a UST facility. Class B operators have responsibility for the daily operation and maintenance of a UST facility.
The UST Class A/B operator training course is presented in chapters. Each chapter utilizes multimedia to enrich the learning experience. Each chapter is followed by a quiz. If the student answers a quiz question incorrectly, the quiz feedback redirects the student to the correct course information.
In addition to the quizzes, the UST Class A/B operator training course includes a final exam of 100 questions, 80% of which must be answered correctly in order to print a certificate.
There is not any time restriction to access the course, so students can complete the entire course in a single session (approximately 4 hours plus exam time) or take the course in segments.
Duration: 4 hours
Purpose & Objective
The purpose of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Training Program is to protect human health and the environment by preventing future petroleum underground storage tank releases and remediating existing petroleum underground storage tank contamination.
Class A operators must be trained how to manage resources and personnel; maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; ensure that required records are kept; and that operators at the facility are trained to respond to releases, spills, and other emergencies.
Class B operators must be trained how to meet recordkeeping and reporting requirements; ensure that equipment complies with industry standards; and train personnel to properly respond to emergencies caused by releases or spills.
By combining Class A and Class B operator training into a single test, important employee cross-training is achieved.
Course Outline
- Chapter 1: Operator Overview
This chapter describes the primary responsibilities of the Class A, Class B, and Class C operator. It also includes the training requirements for each class of operator. - Chapter 2: System and Components
This chapter seeks to raise environmental awareness as well as clearly communicate a fundamental comprehension of UST systems. Components covered include secondary containment, emergency shut-off valves, vapor recovery, tank materials, and piping materials. A download of UST terminology is available here. - Chapter 3: Release Detection
This chapter emphasizes release detection methods. Equipment testing, the analysis of test results, as well as monitoring of the UST system are addressed in this chapter. Release detection methods covered include automatic tank gauging (ATG), inventory control, secondary containment with interstitial monitoring, statistical inventory reconciliation (SIR), manual tank gauging, vacuum monitoring, soil vapor monitoring, groundwater monitoring, and tank tightness testing. Release detection methods for piping, such as electronic and manual line leak detectors, are also discussed. - Chapter 4: Release Prevention
This chapter prompts the trainee to be proactive in preventing spills and releases. It covers the system components that are designed to prevent corrosion, spills, and overfills. These include spill buckets and sumps as well as sacrificial anode and impressed current cathodic systems, overfill protection valves, overfill alarms, and ball float valves. Secondary containment as well as alarms and warnings are covered in this chapter. An EPA Correct Filling Checklist is available for download. - Chapter 5: Planning and Response
The focus of this chapter is preparation for a release and initial response actions. Topics include recognizing warning signs of a leak, maintaining spill kits, knowing the location of the Emergency Stop button, and posting emergency contact information. Critical attention is given to clean-up and release reporting requirements, including sensitive receptor protection and state notification requirements. - Chapter 6: Financial Responsibility/Financial Documents
Owners and operators of petroleum USTs must demonstrate financial responsibility for bodily injury and property damage caused by spill and releases. This chapter covers financial responsibility statutes and financial assurance mechanisms as well as recordkeeping and reporting requirements. - Chapter 7: Registration and Installation
This chapter discusses required documentation and reporting. Topics include tank permits, registration and administrative documents, and UST installation requirements. - Chapter 8: Inspection and Closure
UST testing and inspection requirements are covered in this chapter. Delivery prohibition and temporary and permanent tank closures are also addressed.
End of Course Instructions
Print a copy of your completion certificate for your employer and records. You may also login and reprint your certificate at any time.
