Section 125. Operator training

A. Definitions.

1. For purposes of this section, "Class A operator" means an operator who has primary responsibility to operate and maintain the underground storage tank system and facility. The Class A operator's responsibilities include managing resources and personnel, such as establishing work assignments, to achieve and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. In general, Class A operators focus on the broader aspects of the underground storage tank statutory and regulatory requirements and standards necessary to properly operate and maintain the underground storage tank system and facility.

2. For purposes of this section, "Class B operator" means an operator who implements applicable underground storage tank regulatory requirements and standards in the field or at the underground storage tank facility. A Class B operator oversees and implements the day-to-day aspects of operations, maintenance, and recordkeeping for the underground storage tanks at one or more facilities.

3. For purposes of this section, "Class C operator" means the person responsible for responding to alarms or other indications of emergencies caused by spills or releases from underground storage tank systems and equipment failures. A Class C operator, generally, is the first line of response to events indicating emergency conditions.

B. Requirements for trained operators.

1. Owners and operators of UST systems shall designate Class A, Class B, and Class C operators for each UST system or facility that has underground storage tanks.

a. A person may be designated for more than one class of operator.

b. Any person designated for more than one class of operator shall successfully complete the required training under subsection C of this section for each operator class for which he is designated.

c. Persons trained in accordance with subsection C of this section may perform operator duties consistent with their training when employed or contracted by the tank owner or operator to perform these functions.

2. Designated operators shall successfully complete required training under subsection C of this section no later than August 8, 2012.

3. Class A operators shall be familiar with training requirements for each class of operator and may provide required training for Class C operators.

4. Class B operators shall be familiar with Class B and Class C operator responsibilities and may provide training for Class C operators.

5. Trained operators shall be readily available to respond to suspected/confirmed releases, other unusual operating conditions and equipment shut-offs or failures.

a. The Class A or Class B operator shall be available for immediate telephone consultation when an UST facility is in operation. A Class A or Class B operator shall be able to be onsite at the facility within a reasonable time to perform necessary functions.

b. For manned facilities, a Class C operator shall be onsite whenever the UST facility is in operation. After September 15, 2010, written instructions or procedures shall be maintained and visible at manned UST facilities for persons performing duties of the Class C operator to follow and to provide notification necessary in the event of emergency conditions.

c. For unmanned facilities, a Class C operator shall be available for immediate telephone consultation and shall be able to be onsite within a reasonable time to perform necessary functions. Emergency contact information shall be prominently displayed at the site. After September 15, 2010, written instructions or procedures shall be maintained and visible at unmanned UST facilities for persons performing duties of the Class C operator to follow and to provide notification necessary in the event of emergency conditions.

C. Required training.

1. Class A operators shall successfully complete a training course approved by the board that includes a general knowledge of UST system requirements. Training shall provide information that should enable the operator to make informed decisions regarding compliance and ensuring that appropriate persons are fulfilling operation, maintenance, and recordkeeping requirements and standards of this chapter and/or federal underground storage tank requirements in 40 CFR Part 280 (relating to technical standards and corrective action requirements for owners and operators of underground storage tanks (UST)), including, at a minimum, the following:

a. Spill and overfill prevention;

b. Release detection and related reporting requirements;

c. Corrosion protection;

d. Emergency response;

e. Product and equipment compatibility;

f. Financial responsibility;

g. Notification and storage tank registration requirements;

h. Temporary and permanent closure requirements; and

i. Class B and Class C operator training requirements.

2. Class B operators shall successfully complete a training course approved by the board that includes an in-depth understanding of operation and maintenance aspects of UST systems and related regulatory requirements. Training shall provide specific information on the components of UST systems, materials of construction, methods of release detection and release prevention applied to UST systems and components. Training shall address operation and maintenance requirements of this chapter and/or federal underground storage tank requirements in 40 CFR Part 280, including, at a minimum, the following:

a. Spill and overfill prevention;

b. Release detection and related reporting requirements;

c. Corrosion protection and related testing;

d. Emergency response;

e. Product and equipment compatibility;

f. Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; and

g. Class C operator training requirements.

3. Class C operators. At a minimum, training provided by the tank owner or Class A or Class B operator shall enable the Class C operator to take action in response to emergencies caused by spills or releases and alarms from an underground storage tank. Training shall include written instructions or procedures for the Class C operator to follow and to provide notification necessary in the event of emergency conditions.

4. Successful completion for Class A and Class B operators means completion of the entire training course and demonstration of knowledge of the course material as follows:

a. Receipt of a passing grade (a score of 80% or better) on an examination of material presented in the training course, or demonstration through practical (hands-on) application to the trainer of operation and maintenance checks of underground storage tank equipment, including performance of release detection at the UST facility, at the conclusion of onsite training; and

b. Receipt of a training certificate by an approved trainer upon verification of successful completion of training under this section.

5. Reciprocity. The board may also recognize successful completion of Class A and Class B operator training on regulatory standards consistent with 40 CFR Part 280, which is recognized by other state or implementing agencies and which is approved by EPA as meeting operator training grant guidelines published by EPA.

6. The tank owner and operator shall incur the costs of the training.

D. Timing of training.

1. An owner and operator shall ensure that Class A, Class B and Class C operators are trained as soon as practicable after September 15, 2010, contingent upon availability of approved training providers, but not later than August 8, 2012.

2. When a Class A or Class B operator is replaced after August 8, 2012, a new operator shall be trained within 60 days of assuming duties for that class of operator.

3. Class C operators shall be trained before assuming duties of a Class C operator. After September 15, 2010, written instructions or procedures shall be provided to Class C operators to follow and to provide notification necessary in the event of emergency conditions. Class C operators shall be briefed on these instructions or procedures at least annually (every 12 months), which may be concurrent with annual safety training required under Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR Part 1910 (relating to Occupational Safety and Health Standards).

E. Retraining.

1. Owners and operators of UST systems shall ensure that Class A and B operators in accordance with subsection C of this section are retrained if the board determines that the UST system is out of compliance with the requirements of 9VAC25-580-30 through 9VAC25-580-190. At a minimum, Class A and Class B operators shall successfully complete retraining in the areas identified as out of compliance.

2. Class A and B operators shall complete training pursuant to this subsection no later than 90 days from the date the board identifies the noncompliance.

F. Documentation.

1. Owners and operators of underground storage tank facilities shall prepare and maintain a list of designated Class A, Class B, and Class C operators. The list shall represent the current Class A, Class B, and Class C operators for the UST facility and shall include:

a. The name of each operator, class of operation trained for, and the date each operator successfully completed initial training and refresher training, if any.

b. For Class A and Class B operators that are not permanently onsite or assigned to more than one facility, telephone numbers to contact the operators.

2. A copy of the certificates of training for Class A and Class B operators shall be on file as long as each operator serves in that capacity at the facility or three years, whichever is longer, and readily available, and a copy of the facility list of Class A, Class B, and Class C operators and Class C operator instructions or procedures shall be kept onsite and immediately available for manned UST facilities and readily available for unmanned facilities (see subdivision 2 e of 9VAC25-580-120 relating to reporting and recordkeeping).

3. Class C operator and owner contact information, including names and telephone numbers, and any emergency information shall be conspicuously posted at unmanned facilities.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-02 § 1.2, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Volume 26, Issue 25, eff. September 15, 2010.

Statutory Authority

§§ 62.1-44.15 and 62.1-44.34:9 of the Code of Virginia; 40 CFR Parts 280 and 281.