Hazardous Materials Instructor Training Grants Program; Availability of Funds, 19934-19936 [E8-7703]

Agencies

• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 71 (Friday, April 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19934-19936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7703]


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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 https://
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

[[Page 19936]]

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]
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