Rhode Island UST Operator Training | Class A/B & C

UST operator training in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island UST Operator Training

UST Class A/B
UST Class C
State Agency/Regulations

Rhode Island UST Operator Class A/B Training

Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island UST Operator Class C Training

Rhode Island Class C Operators are the first responders to emergency situations at a UST facility – like a gas station or convenience store. These individuals are usually the clerks of a facility.

Class C Operators monitor fuel deliveries to the tanks; control and/or monitor the dispensing or sale of regulated substances; and respond to alarms, releases, and other emergency situations.

Course Description

The UST Class C operator training course consists of seven chapters. Each chapter is followed by a short quiz. Once a student has completed all chapters and quizzes, the learner will be directed to print out a course checklist.

The course is instructed through a student orientation tour of a mock facility, where a manager (or Class B Operator) will identify and explain each topic and then mark them off a checklist when completed. When the checklist has been completed, the student can then print the UST Class C operator certificate.

There is not any time restriction to access the course, so students may take as much time as needed to complete their training

Duration: 1 hour

Purpose & Objective

Class C operators must be trained 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.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Facility Overview
This chapter provides a basic overview of the primary components of a typical UST facility. These components include the USTs, manways, spill buckets, fuel dispensers, and dispenser nozzles.
Chapter 2: Monitoring
This chapter emphasizes the components used to monitor a UST facility. Students will learn what an Automatic Tank Gauge (ATG) is and does, how to interpret its alarms and warnings, and what to do in case of an alarm. The role of line leak detectors is also discussed.
Chapter 3: Environmental
In this chapter, students learn about sensitive receptors, or places where a fuel spill may leave the facility and enter the environment. The chapter also introduces students to the spill kit and its contents, and how to use spill kit components to contain spills threatening sensitive receptors like curb breaks and drains.
Chapter 4: Fueling Rules
The focus of this chapter is fuel delivery safety. Students will watch a short video on proper fueling procedures. Students also learn about hazards at the fueling point, including smoking, static electricity, leaving a vehicle unattended while fueling, and leaving a vehicle running while fueling.
Chapter 5: Delivery Procedures
This chapter teaches the student how to supervise a fuel delivery and monitor for problems during a fuel delivery. Additional emphasis is placed on the ATG and on overfill prevention devices like overfill prevention valves and ball float valves. Delivery prohibitions are also addressed.
Chapter 6: Safety
This chapter covers safety information every Class C Operator needs to respond to emergencies. Included here is a video explaining when and how to use a fire extinguisher. The Emergency Stop and All Stop buttons are identified and discussed.
Chapter 7: Emergency Situations
This chapter discusses common emergency situations and proper responses to them, including what to do if a vehicle leaves the facility with the nozzle still in the vehicle’s fuel spout. Managing customer traffic in the event of a spill is also covered. Correct fire extinguisher operation is reviewed.
Chapter 8: Final Checklist
Review and complete the checklist to complete your training

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.

Rhode Island UST State Agency & Regulations

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) – Office of Waste Management – Underground Storage Tank Program has been designated to protect public health and the environment through oversight, investigation and cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination caused by releases from Underground Storage Tanks – USTs.

Agency Link: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/waste/topictan.htm

UST Training in Rhode Island
As of August 1, 2012, all Rhode Island UST facilities, as per the requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Rule 8.22 of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), had to be in UST Operator Training and Certification compliance or face penalties.

4.15.1 Operator Training and Certification
Every facility must have CERTIFIED Class A and B operators. All Class A and Class B operators must pass an open-book exam to be considered CERTIFIED. All new Class A and B operators must be certified within 30 days of assuming responsibility for a UST facility.

Class A operators are individuals who have primary statutory and regulatory responsibility for their facility. They maintain proper recordkeeping, ensure registration fees are paid, and ensure proper operation/maintenance of the UST system.
Class B operators are responsible for the daily on-site operation and maintenance of a facility. They have a practical understanding of UST components, understand best management practices for UST facilities, and are trained in emergency response.
Class C operators are those who are present at the facility during all operating hours and are the first line of response in emergency situations. There is no certification exam for Class C operators, but they must be trained in emergency response procedures by a certified Class A or B operator. A list of Class C operators and their respective training dates must be maintained at the facility. Class C operators must be trained every two (2) years.

Retraining Requirements
4.15.1.1 Retraining and Re-Certification
Class A and Class B operators must be re-certified every 5 years. Class C operators must be trained every two (2) years. In addition, if an underground storage tank system is out of compliance, the class A or class B operator, or both, must be retrained. As a result of the retraining of Class A operators or Class B operators, subsequent re-training of the Class C operators shall also occur. Voluntary refresher training is encouraged to ensure operator is up-to-date with current regulations and procedures.

References:

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) | Rules and Regulations for Underground Storage Facilities Used for Petroleum Products and Hazardous Materials – Rule 8.22 (April 2011) (PDF)
Certification Workbook for Underground Storage Tank Facilities (March 2013) | Chapter 4 Regulatory Requirements and Best Management Practices at Your Facility | Section 4.15 Operator Training – p.92 (PDF)
Rhode Island – Underground Storage Tank Facility – Operator Training Manual (PDF)

UST/LUST Program
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Office of Waste Management
Underground Storage Tank Program
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767

Phone: 401-222-2797
Fax: 401-222-3812

UST/LUST Program: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/waste/topictan.htm

Fund Program
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Rhode Island Underground Storage Tank Review Board
Underground Storage Tank Financial Responsibility Fund
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908

Phone: 401-222-2797
Fax: 401-222-3813

Fund Program: http://www.dem.ri.gov/ustboard/index.htm