Model Education Curricula and Toolkit for the Transportation of Hazardous Materials

Abstract

The objective of this project was to develop model post-secondary education curricula that address the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the safe, secure, and efficient transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat). Over 170 existing hazmat-related education and training programs and other resources offered by industry and government were identified and evaluated, to assess the state of the art and to locate materials that might be used in the model curricula. Stakeholder groups who would benefit from hazmat transportation education were identified and defined, and draft materials were developed around a set of topics to meet stakeholder needs. The draft curricula were reviewed at a peer exchange workshop involving approximately fifty stakeholders, representing various interests in hazmat transportation. The final model curricula, presented in the form of a toolkit that can be adapted for different audiences and educational purposes, consist of PowerPoint presentations and supporting materials covering eight topics: introduction to hazmat transportation; hazmat logistics; legal and regulatory environment; mode and route selection; risk management; hazmat transportation incident management; security of hazmat transportation shipments; and workforce development issues. The report considers barriers to implementation of the model curricula, and proposes follow-up activities to help overcome them.