West Virginia UST Class C Operator Training

West Virginia Class C Operators are the first responders to emergency situations at a UST facility – like a gas station or convenience store. These individuals are usually the clerks of a facility.

Class C Operators monitor fuel deliveries to the tanks; control and/or monitor the dispensing or sale of regulated substances; and respond to alarms, releases, and other emergency situations.

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.

Duration: 1 hour

Purpose & Objective

The purpose of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Training Program is to protect human health and the environment by preventing future petroleum underground storage tank releases and remediating existing petroleum underground storage tank contamination.

Class C operators must be trained how to respond to emergencies (such as situations posing an immediate danger or threat to the public or to the environment and that require immediate action) and alarms caused by spills or releases from an underground storage tank system.

Course Outline

• Chapter 1: Facility Overview
  This chapter provides a basic overview of the primary components of a typical UST facility. These components include the USTs, manways, spill buckets, fuel dispensers, and dispenser nozzles.
• Chapter 2: Monitoring
  This chapter emphasizes the components used to monitor a UST facility. Students will learn what an Automatic Tank Gauge (ATG) is and does, how to interpret its alarms and warnings, and what to do in case of an alarm. The role of line leak detectors is also discussed.
• Chapter 3: Environmental
  In this chapter, students learn about sensitive receptors, or places where a fuel spill may leave the facility and enter the environment. The chapter also introduces students to the spill kit and its contents, and how to use spill kit components to contain spills threatening sensitive receptors like curb breaks and drains.
• Chapter 4: Fueling Rules
  The focus of this chapter is fuel delivery safety. Students will watch a short video on proper fueling procedures. Students also learn about hazards at the fueling point, including smoking, static electricity, leaving a vehicle unattended while fueling, and leaving a vehicle running while fueling.
• Chapter 5: Delivery Procedures
  This chapter teaches the student how to supervise a fuel delivery and monitor for problems during a fuel delivery. Additional emphasis is placed on the ATG and on overfill prevention devices like overfill prevention valves and ball float valves. Delivery prohibitions are also addressed.
• Chapter 6: Safety
  This chapter covers safety information every Class C Operator needs to respond to emergencies. Included here is a video explaining when and how to use a fire extinguisher. The Emergency Stop and All Stop buttons are identified and discussed.
• Chapter 7: Emergency Situations
  This chapter discusses common emergency situations and proper responses to them, including what to do if a vehicle leaves the facility with the nozzle still in the vehicle’s fuel spout. Managing customer traffic in the event of a spill is also covered. Correct fire extinguisher operation is reviewed.
• Chapter 8: Final Checklist
  Review and complete the checklist to complete your training

End of Course Instructions

Print a copy of your completion certificate for your employer and records. You may also login and reprint your certificate at any time.

West Virginia UST State Agency & Regulations

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) – Division of Water & Waste Management – Environmental Enforcement – Underground Storage Tank Section was created to protect human health and the environment by preventing releases of petroleum and hazardous substances from UST systems and the release of these regulated products into the environment threatens groundwater resources and can cause explosive vapors to seep into confined spaces and occupied dwellings.

Agency Link:  http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/ee/ust/Pages/default.aspx

UST Training in West Virginia
Beginning August 8, 2012, all West Virginians that own, operate and maintain UST systems, as well as on-site personnel who are responsible for addressing emergencies presented by spills or releases from Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) must receive training based upon their duties and level of responsibility for USTs, in accordance with West Virginia (WV) Legislative Rule 33CSR30 – PDF.

Each West Virginia underground storage tank (UST) system at a UST facility must have a certified Class A, Class B, and Class C Operator designated. An individual can be UST certified for all three classes as long as they are trained in all three. After August 8, 2012, Class A and Class B Operators must be trained within 30 days of assuming operation and maintenance responsibilities for the UST system. Class C Operators must be trained before assuming responsibility for responding to emergencies.

The following are definitions of the different West Virginia underground storage tank (UST) operator classifications. Owners must determine who best fits this role at their facilities.

• Class A Operators are responsible for the broader aspects of compliance and are typically in management positions. They are at the highest level of responsibility. In smaller operations this will likely be the tank Owner/Operator and within a larger company this may be an Environmental Manager. The Class A operator’s responsibilities include managing resources and personnel, such as establishing work assignments, to achieve and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Class B Operators implement the regulatory requirements on a daily basis at one or more facilities. Class B Operators must have a more in depth understanding of operation and maintenance aspects but will have a narrower area of responsibility than a Class A Operator. For a large corporation this could be a district manager, maintenance supervisor, or a site manager, for a smaller company it may be the owner or operator. This individual implements day-to-day aspects of operating, maintaining, and recordkeeping for USTs.
• Class C Operators are the first line of response to an emergency event. In most instances this will be the clerk or store manager. The Class C Operator controls the dispensing of fuel and is responsible for initial response to alarms or releases. This individual notifies the Class A and Class B operator and appropriate emergency responders when necessary. An Operator with at least a Class C certification must be on site during fueling operations at all facilities, unless the facility has been designated as an unmanned facility.

Each Class A and Class B Operator must carry proof of training during duty hours, and each Class C Operator must have proof of training present at the location where the Class C Operator is on duty. The certified operator (Class A, B, & C) must have personal photo identification available that will enable WVDEP to verify that certified operator’s identity.

West Virginia was granted state program approval (SPA) in 1997.

Retraining Requirements
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) reserves the right to require retraining of Operators if it is determined that a UST system at their facility does not meet significant operational compliance. WVDEP will determine whether Class A, Class B, or both classes of operators require retraining based on the compliance issues observed.

As a result of the retraining of Class A operators or Class B operators, subsequent re-training of the Class C operators shall also occur. Voluntary refresher training is encouraged to ensure operator is up-to-date with current regulations and procedures.

References:

• West Virginia Administrative Code | Chapter 22. Environmental Resources | Article 17 Underground Storage Tank Act (§22-17-1)
• West Virginia (WV) Legislative Rule 33CSR30 (PDF)
• West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) Operator Guidance Document (PDF)
• http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/ee/ust/Pages/USTOperatorTrainingFAQs.aspx

UST Program
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP)
Division of Water & Waste Management
Environmental Enforcement
Underground Storage Tank Section
601 57th Street, SE
Charleston, WV 25304

Phone: 304-926-0499 ext. 1286
Fax: 304-926-0488

UST Program: http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/ee/ust/Pages/default.aspx

LUST Program
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Land Restoration
Office of Environmental Remediation
Leaking Underground Storage Tank Section
601 57th Street, SE
Charleston, WV 25304-2345

Phone: 304-926-0455
Fax: 304-926-0457

LUST Program: http://www.dep.wv.gov/dlr/oer/lustmain/Pages/default.aspx