Rhode Island UST Class A B & C Operator Training

Rhode Island Underground Storage Tank (UST) Class AB & C Certification

State Requirements
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. Class C operators must be trained before assuming duties.

Section 1524 of the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 required that the state of Rhode Island declare amendments to the state underground storage tank rules to require each underground storage tank facility have Class A, Class B, and Class C operators.  Class A or Class B operator candidates will need to pass a written exam in order to be certified. The exam assures that underground storage tank system operators possess the necessary knowledge regarding the proper operation of underground storage tank systems.

As of August 1, 2012, all 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) | Rules and Regulations for Underground Storage Facilities Used for Petroleum Products and Hazardous Materials (April 2011) (PDF) 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.

Reference: 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);

UST Class A/B Course Description
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.

UST Class C 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

UST Operator A/B Course Outline
The following topics are covered in the UST A/B Operator course:

• 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.

UST Course Completion Certificate
Print a copy of your completion certificate for your employer and records. You may also login and reprint your certificate at any time.

State Contacts

Rhode Island was granted state program approval (SPA) in 1996.

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

 

Federal Resources

EPA Booklet – Musts for USTS
http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/regs2015-musts.pdf

This booklet describes the 2015 revised federal UST regulation. Many states and territories (referred to as states in this booklet) have state program approval from EPA. In these states, the state’s UST regulation is used in lieu of the federal UST regulation. To find a list of states with state program approval, see http://www.epa.gov/oust/states/spamap.htm.