Ontario Updates Guideline on Training of Drivers Transporting Waste

The training of workers involved in the transportation of hazardous materials in Canada has become something of a hot topic. For example, we recently told you that Transport Canada has proposed changes to the worker training requirements under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (TDGA) and related regulations and is seeking feedback through Feb. 28, 2017.

In addition, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s website indicates that the Guideline for Training Requirements for Drivers of Waste Transportation Vehicles was updated on Jan. 16, 2017.

Ontario’s General ‘ Waste Regulation under the Environmental Protection Act ensures that wastes are effectively managed from the point of their generation to where they’re ultimately disposed of or processed. The regulation requires drivers of a waste transportation vehicle used for the transportation of municipal waste, liquid industrial waste or hazardous waste to be trained in:

  • The operation of the vehicle and waste management equipment;
  • Relevant waste management legislation, regulations and guidelines;
  • Major environmental concerns pertaining to the waste to be handled;
  • OHS concerns pertaining to the waste to be handled; and
  • Emergency management procedures for the wastes to be handled.

For municipal wastes, liquid industrial wastes and for those hazardous wastes not covered by the TDGA, such as leachate toxic waste and severely toxic waste, training programs should follow this guideline.

In the case of carriers of hazardous wastes, the training program described in the Ontario guideline can be integrated with the training requirements specified under the federal TDGA or the provincial Dangerous Goods Transportation Act.

The OHSInsider.com has resources, articles and tools you can use to comply with the hazardous waste and TDGA requirements, including:

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