The Department of Transportation, (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), did not suspend training, only the requirements of how it is done. Think of it like your mortgage payments.
“PHMSA gives notice that it will not take enforcement action for 90 days (from March 25.2020), against any hazmat employer who is unable to provide recurrent training consistent with HMR training requirements.”
Check out the recent Notice of Enforcement letter, in which DOT promotes alternatives to traditional compliance training methods; https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2020-03/PHMSA%20Enforcement%20Policy%20Notice%20-%20TRAINING%20update.pdf
If hazardous materials and waste training can not be provided in a classroom setting or traditional job training, DOT directs hazmat employers to access web based, cellphone, tablet or computer remotely delivered classroom instruction, or any other method, that will cover the required training elements, to provide hazmat employees with appropriate recurrent training even if testing is not possible.
But be careful, as I said, I think it is kinda like your mortgage payments, your mortgage company is not allowing you to push back your payments for three months, they are only saying we will give you three months, to pay us the money you owe over the next three months.
If you need it, attend one of our small online Hazardous Materials, Substances and Waste Training courses, and receive our new customizable Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Plan, (PPPP) and Checklist to get you fully up to speed. Do it alone, with us or someone else, but do something now.
Thank you hope to see you soon!
Robert Joseph Keegan
Publisher and President
Hazardous Materials Publishing Company
Transportation Skill Programs Inc.
hazmat.tsp@gmail.com