New York UST Class A B & C Operator Training

New York 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 Alabama 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. A test is not required for the Class C operator, but those persons must be properly trained.

In 2008, a new New York state law required that tank operators be trained to properly operate, maintain, and document their systems. The law also gave New York State the authority to prohibit deliveries to tanks that are in serious noncompliance with regulatory requirements. .

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has prepared regulations to implement the requirements for PBS and CBS UST operator training. New York regulatory requirements for operator training at petroleum bulk storage (PBS) facilities and chemical bulk storage (CBS) facilities are set forth in 6 NYCRR 613-2.5 and in 6 NYCRR 598.12.

New York persons who meet the definition of “Class A Operator” or “Class B Operator” must pass an exam administered by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Alternatively, a Class A or Class B Operator may obtain a current and valid operator training credential issued by any other state government or a local government within NYS that administers an exam acceptable to DEC.

Authorized Class A or Class B operators are responsible for:

• ensuring that Class C Operators are trained in emergency response procedures specific to their facility before assuming their duties;
• maintaining evidence of the required training of all Class C Operators at a facility, as well as their subsequent assessment of knowledge; and
• producing evidence of the training of all Class C Operators at a facility upon request.

New York has not yet been granted state program approval (SPA).

Retraining Requirements
A Class A, Class B, or combination Class A/B Operator is not required to be retested unless the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) finds significant non-compliance (SNC) at one or more facilities for which the operator has been designated.

Class C Operators are employees having primary responsibility for addressing emergencies presented by a spill or release from an UST system. Every designated Class C Operator must, before assuming their duties, be trained and tested under the direction of an authorized Class A or Class B Operator with respect to how to respond to emergencies and alarms caused by spills and releases. Voluntary refresher training is encouraged to ensure operator is up-to-date with current regulations and procedures.

References:

• New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) | Title 6 Environmental Conservation | Part 613 – Petroleum Bulk Storage – Section 2 UST Systems (PDF);
• Division of Environmental Remediation (DER ) – 40 Operator Training (PDF);
• Tank IQ – New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) – Operator Training Guide (PDF);
• http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2387.html

UST Course Information

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

New York has not yet been granted state program approval (SPA).

UST/LUST Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Environmental Remediation
Chemical & Pollution Control
Chemical & Petroleum Storage
Spill Prevention & Bulk Storage Section
625 Broadway, 11th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-7020

Phone: 518-402-9543
Fax: 518-402-9577

UST Program: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/287.html
LUST Program: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8428.html

For more information on MTBE and related issues, see: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8692.html

Fund Program

Office of State Comptroller
New York Environmental Protection & Spill Compensation Fund (Oil Spill Fund)
110 State Street
Albany, NY 12236

Phone: 518-474-6657
Fax: 518-474-9979

Fund Program: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/oilspill/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.