UST training in California is required by federal law and is intended to ensure that those who own and operate underground storage tanks understand how to operate and maintain UST systems properly.
As required by the EPA, all UST operators must be trained by October 13, 2018. After this date, new Class A and B operators must be trained within 30 days of assuming duties. Class C operators must be trained before assuming duties. This applies to the entire state of California as well as other states.
In 2015, the EPA revised the UST regulations which includes minimum training requirements for owners and operators of UST systems. Training is required per operator class:
- Class A training is required for person(s) having primary responsibility for on-site operation and maintenance of UST systems (owner or operator of a UST facility).
- Class B training is required for persons involved with daily on-site operation and maintenance of UST systems.
- Class C training is required for daily on-site employees having primary responsibility for addressing emergencies presented by a spill or release from a UST system.
California UST Operator Training Courses
California UST Class A/B Operator Training
California Class A operators have primary responsibility for on-site operation and maintenance of a UST facility. This individual is generally the owner of the station or the designee. For large corporations, this person is the manager or designee responsible for tank operations.
California Class B operators have responsibility for the day-to-day aspects of operating, maintaining, and record keeping of a UST facility. This individual (or individuals) is generally the owner or the person/company contracted by the owner to maintain the tanks. For large corporations, this person is the employee, or person/company contracted by the corporation to maintain the tanks.
Description
The UST Class A/B operator training course is presented in chapters. Each chapter utilizes multimedia to enrich the learning experience. Each chapter is followed by a quiz. If the student answers a quiz question incorrectly, the quiz feedback redirects the student to the correct course information.
In addition to the quizzes, the UST Class A/B operator training course includes a final exam of 100 questions, 80% of which must be answered correctly in order to print a certificate.
There is not any time restriction to access the course, so students can complete the entire course in a single session (approximately 4 hours plus exam time) or take the course in segments.
Duration: 4 hours
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 A operators must be trained how to manage resources and personnel; maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; ensure that required records are kept; and that operators at the facility are trained to respond to releases, spills, and other emergencies.
Class B operators must be trained how to meet recordkeeping and reporting requirements; ensure that equipment complies with industry standards; and train personnel to properly respond to emergencies caused by releases or spills.
By combining Class A and Class B operator training into a single test, important employee cross-training is achieved.
Course Outline
- Chapter 1: Operator Overview
This chapter describes the primary responsibilities of the Class A, Class B, and Class C operator. It also includes the training requirements for each class of operator. - Chapter 2: System and Components
This chapter seeks to raise environmental awareness as well as clearly communicate a fundamental comprehension of UST systems. Components covered include secondary containment, emergency shut-off valves, vapor recovery, tank materials, and piping materials. A download of UST terminology is available here. - Chapter 3: Release Detection
This chapter emphasizes release detection methods. Equipment testing, the analysis of test results, as well as monitoring of the UST system are addressed in this chapter. Release detection methods covered include automatic tank gauging (ATG), inventory control, secondary containment with interstitial monitoring, statistical inventory reconciliation (SIR), manual tank gauging, vacuum monitoring, soil vapor monitoring, groundwater monitoring, and tank tightness testing. Release detection methods for piping, such as electronic and manual line leak detectors, are also discussed. - Chapter 4: Release Prevention
This chapter prompts the trainee to be proactive in preventing spills and releases. It covers the system components that are designed to prevent corrosion, spills, and overfills. These include spill buckets and sumps as well as sacrificial anode and impressed current cathodic systems, overfill protection valves, overfill alarms, and ball float valves. Secondary containment as well as alarms and warnings are covered in this chapter. An EPA Correct Filling Checklist is available for download. - Chapter 5: Planning and Response
The focus of this chapter is preparation for a release and initial response actions. Topics include recognizing warning signs of a leak, maintaining spill kits, knowing the location of the Emergency Stop button, and posting emergency contact information. Critical attention is given to clean-up and release reporting requirements, including sensitive receptor protection and state notification requirements. - Chapter 6: Financial Responsibility/Financial Documents
Owners and operators of petroleum USTs must demonstrate financial responsibility for bodily injury and property damage caused by spill and releases. This chapter covers financial responsibility statutes and financial assurance mechanisms as well as recordkeeping and reporting requirements. - Chapter 7: Registration and Installation
This chapter discusses required documentation and reporting. Topics include tank permits, registration and administrative documents, and UST installation requirements. - Chapter 8: Inspection and Closure
UST testing and inspection requirements are covered in this chapter. Delivery prohibition and temporary and permanent tank closures are also addressed.
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.
California UST Class C Operator Training
California 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.
California UST State Agency & Regulations
The California Environmental Protection Agency – State Water Resource Control Board (SWCB) – Division of Water Quality – Underground Storage Tank Program is the state’s main environmental protection agency, charged with protecting, enhancing, and restoring the environment for California.
Agency Link:
UST Regulation(s):
- California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 16, Section 2715(b)- (f)
UST Training in California
California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted operator training rules in 2004. There is not a Class A/B operator; only a “Designated UST Operator” (DO). DOs also perform a detailed monthly on-site inspection and provides on-site training to Class C employees.
California does not permit third party online Class C trainers. Some operators use our Class C course to standardize training and track employees.
California Designated UST Operator – Class A/B [California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 16, Section 2715(b) – (f)]
A “Designated UST Operator” is an individual designated by the UST owner to be responsible for training facility employees and conducting a monthly visual inspection at the UST facility. The Designated UST Operator must comply with other applicable state, federal or local requirements, and must comply with the following requirements of the UST law:
- Posses a current “California UST System Operator” certificate issued by the International Code Council (ICC). Initial certification was required by January 1, 2005. Certification must be renewed every 24 months.
- Provide on-the-job training for facility employee(s). Initial training was required by July 1, 2005. Facility employees hired on or after July 1, 2005 must complete initial training within 30 days of their date of hire.
- Perform monthly visual inspections, record results on an inspection report, and submit the written report to the owner/operator.
Any of the following individuals may serve as the Designated UST Operator:
- Facility Owner
- Operator
- Employee
- Service Technician, or
- a Third Party
California UST Facility Employee – Class C [California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 16, Section 2715(f)]
A “Facility Employee” is an individual who is employed on-site at an UST facility, and who may be called upon to respond to spills, overfills, or other problems associated with the operation of the UST system. A “Facility employee” must:
- Starting on July 1, 2005, a Facility Employee must have completed on-the-job training provided by the Designated UST Operator, and every twelve months thereafter. The training for facility employee must include, but is not limited to:
- The operation of the UST system in a manner consistent with the facility’s best management practices.
- The facility employee’s role with regard to the monitoring equipment as specified in the facility’s monitoring plan.
- The facility employee’s role with regards to spills and overfills as specified in the facility’s response plan.
- The name of the contact person(s) for emergencies and monitoring equipment alarms
References: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ust/training/icc_cert_info.shtml;
California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 16, Section 2715(b)- (f)
California has not yet been granted state program approval (SPA).
Retraining Requirements
A California “UST System Operator” (Class A/B) certification must be renewed every 2 years. A California UST “Facility Employee” (Class C) certification must be renewed every year. Voluntary refresher training to ensure operator is current on regulations and procedures is encouraged.
References: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ust/training/icc_cert_info.shtml;
California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 16, Section 2715(b)- (f)
Regulating Agency
The California Environmental Protection Agency – State Water Resource Control Board (SWCB) – Division of Water Quality – Underground Storage Tank Program is the state’s main environmental protection agency, charged with protecting, enhancing, and restoring the environment for California.
Agency Link: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ust/
UST/LUST Program
California Environmental Protection Agency
State Water Resources Control Board (SWCB)
Division of Water Quality
Underground Storage Tank Program
1001 I Street, 15th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2231
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: 916-341-5851
Fax: 916-341-5808
UST/LUST Program: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ust/
Fund Program
California Environmental Protection Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund
1001 I Street, 17th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 944212
Sacramento, CA 94244-2120
Phone: 800-813-3863
Phone: 916-341-5700
Fax: 916-341-5806
Fund Program: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ustcf/
UST Training Course Info
California UST Operator training courses meet federal requirements for UST training.
- Fast and easy course completion
- 100% online – No classroom attendance
- No time limit – Finish at your pace
- Certificate upon completion
- 24×7 Online Support: Click here
- Money Back Guarantee
California UST Operator Training
Class A/B – 4hrs
System Operator (ICC Preparatory Course)
Price: $99.99
California UST Operator Training
Class C – 1 hr
(Facility Employee)
Price: $10.00
Training Multiple Employees?
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Accepted Statewide
We offer online UST Operator Training in California for: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Long Beach, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, Oakland, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Stockton, Chula Vista, Irvine, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Oxnard, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Oceanside, Santa Rosa, Berkeley, and many more!
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