Not later than October 13, 2018, all owners and operators of UST systems must ensure they have designated Class A, Class B, and Class C operators who meet the requirements of this subpart.

UST system owners and operators must designate:

(a) At least one Class A and one Class B operator for each UST or group of USTs at a facility; and

(b) Each individual who meets the definition of Class C operator at the UST facility as a Class C operator.

UST system owners and operators must ensure Class A, Class B, and Class C operators meet the requirements of this section. Any individual designated for more than one operator class must successfully complete the required training program or comparable examination according to the operator class in which the individual is designated.

(a) Class A operators. Each designated Class A operator must either be trained in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section or pass a comparable examination in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section.

(1) At a minimum, the training program for the Class A operator must provide general knowledge of the requirements in this paragraph (a). At a minimum, the training must teach the Class A operators, as applicable, about the purpose, methods, and function of:

(i) Spill and overfill prevention;

(ii) Release detection;

(iii) Corrosion protection;

(iv) Emergency response;

(v) Product and equipment compatibility and demonstration;

(vi) Financial responsibility;

(vii) Notification and storage tank registration;

(viii) Temporary and permanent closure;

(ix) Related reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections;

(x) Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases; and

(xi) Training requirements for Class B and Class C operators.

(2) At a minimum, the training program must evaluate Class A operators to determine these individuals have the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions regarding compliance and determine whether appropriate individuals are fulfilling the operation, maintenance, and recordkeeping requirements for UST systems in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(b) Class B operators. Each designated Class B operator must either receive training in accordance with paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section or pass a comparable examination, in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section.

(1) At a minimum, the training program for the Class B operator must cover either: general requirements that encompass all regulatory requirements and typical equipment used at UST facilities; or site-specific requirements which address only the regulatory requirements and equipment specific to the facility. At a minimum, the training program for Class B operators must teach the Class B operator, as applicable, about the purpose, methods, and function of:

(i) Operation and maintenance;

(ii) Spill and overfill prevention;

(iii) Release detection and related reporting;

(iv) Corrosion protection;

(v) Emergency response;

(vi) Product and equipment compatibility and demonstration;

(vii) Reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections;

(viii) Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases; and

(ix) Training requirements for Class C operators.

(2) At a minimum, the training program must evaluate Class B operators to determine these individuals have the knowledge and skills to implement applicable UST regulatory requirements in the field on the components of typical UST systems or, as applicable, site-specific equipment used at an UST facility in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

(c) Class C operators. Each designated Class C operator must either: be trained by a Class A or Class B operator in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section; complete a training program in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section; or pass a comparable examination, in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section.

(1) At a minimum, the training program for the Class C operator must teach the Class C operators to take appropriate actions (including notifying appropriate authorities) in response to emergencies or alarms caused by spills or releases resulting from the operation of the UST system.

(2) At a minimum, the training program must evaluate Class C operators to determine these individuals have the knowledge and skills to take appropriate action (including notifying appropriate authorities) in response to emergencies or alarms caused by spills or releases from an underground storage tank system.

(d) Training program. Any training program must meet the minimum requirements of this section and include an evaluation through testing, a practical demonstration, or another approach acceptable to the implementing agency.

(e) Comparable examination. A comparable examination must, at a minimum, test the knowledge of the Class A, Class B, or Class C operators in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section, as applicable.

(a) An owner and operator must ensure that designated Class A, Class B, and Class C operators meet the requirements in § 280.242 not later than October 13, 2018.

(b) Class A and Class B operators designated after October 13, 2018 must meet requirements in § 280.242 within 30 days of assuming duties.

(c) Class C operators designated after October 13, 2018 must be trained before assuming duties of a Class C operator.

Class A and Class B operators of UST systems determined by the implementing agency to be out of compliance must complete a training program or comparable examination in accordance with requirements in § 280.242. The training program or comparable examination must be developed or administered by an independent organization, the implementing agency, or a recognized authority. At a minimum, the training must cover the area(s) determined to be out of compliance. UST system owners and operators must ensure Class A and Class B operators are retrained pursuant to this section no later than 30 days from the date the implementing agency determines the facility is out of compliance except in one of the following situations:

(a) Class A and Class B operators take annual refresher training. Refresher training for Class A and Class B operators must cover all applicable requirements in § 280.242, or

(b) The implementing agency, at its discretion, waives this retraining requirement for either the Class A or Class B operator or both.

Owners and operators of underground storage tank systems must maintain a list of designated Class A, Class B, and Class C operators and maintain records verifying that training and retraining, as applicable, have been completed, in accordance with § 280.34 as follows:

(a) The list must:

(1) Identify all Class A, Class B, and Class C operators currently designated for the facility; and

(2) Include names, class of operator trained, date assumed duties, date each completed initial training, and any retraining.

(b) Records verifying completion of training or retraining must be a paper or electronic record for Class A, Class B, and Class C operators. The records, at a minimum, must identify name of trainee, date trained, operator training class completed, and list the name of the trainer or examiner and the training company name, address, and telephone number. Owners and operators must maintain these records for as long as Class A, Class B, and Class C operators are designated. The following requirements also apply to the following types of training:

(1) Records from classroom or field training programs (including Class C operator training provided by the Class A or Class B operator) or a comparable examination must, at a minimum, be signed by the trainer or examiner;

(2) Records from computer based training must, at a minimum, indicate the name of the training program and web address, if Internet based; and

(3) Records of retraining must include those areas on which the Class A or Class B operator has been retrained.