Introduction to Hazardous Materials

The Introduction to Hazardous Materials course from the American Institute of Safety Professionals provides foundational training on identifying, classifying, and safely managing hazardous materials in the workplace. Hazardous materials (hazmat) are present in virtually every industry: the chemicals in manufacturing, the fuels in transportation, the solvents in maintenance, the gases in welding, the cleaning products in janitorial, and the biological materials in healthcare. This course develops the awareness-level competency to recognise hazmat, understand classification systems, read labels and shipping papers, use the Emergency Response Guidebook, and respond safely when hazmat incidents occur.

The curriculum covers hazardous material definitions and classification (DOT nine hazard classes, GHS classification, NFPA 704), DOT placards, labels, and markings, shipping papers and bills of lading, the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) and how to use it, Safety Data Sheet interpretation for hazmat, hazmat storage requirements (compatibility, segregation, quantity limits), HAZWOPER awareness (29 CFR 1910.120), spill response at the awareness level (recognise, isolate, notify), personal protective equipment for hazmat, and the regulatory framework (DOT, EPA, OSHA) governing hazardous materials. All training is delivered 100 percent online through Microsoft Teams and the American Institute of Safety Professionals LMS. Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate, wallet card, and transcript, employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Classify hazardous materials using DOT’s nine hazard classes: Class 1 (Explosives), Class 2 (Gases), Class 3 (Flammable Liquids), Class 4 (Flammable Solids), Class 5 (Oxidisers/Organic Peroxides), Class 6 (Toxic/Infectious), Class 7 (Radioactive), Class 8 (Corrosive), Class 9 (Miscellaneous).
• Identify hazmat through placards, labels, and markings: reading diamond-shaped placards on transport vehicles, package labels, UN/NA identification numbers, and the visual identification system that communicates hazards during transportation.
• Use the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): looking up materials by name, ID number, or placard, finding the appropriate guide page, identifying isolation and protective action distances, and the ERG as the first-response reference during hazmat incidents.
• Read SDS for hazmat management: extracting hazard identification, first aid, firefighting, spill response, storage, exposure control, and physical/chemical property information from the 16-section format.
• Apply hazmat storage requirements: chemical compatibility (which materials cannot be stored together), segregation distances, quantity limits, ventilation, containment, and the storage arrangement that prevents fires, explosions, and chemical reactions.
• Respond to hazmat incidents at awareness level: recognise the presence of hazmat, isolate the area (keep people away), notify emergency response, and avoid contact — the awareness-level response for non-HAZWOPER personnel.

Core Curriculum Topics

• DOT Nine Hazard Classes: explosives, gases, flammable liquids/solids, oxidisers, toxic, radioactive, corrosive, misc
• Placards, Labels, and Markings: diamond placards, package labels, UN/NA numbers, colour coding
• Shipping Papers: bills of lading, hazmat descriptions, emergency contact information
• Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): lookup methods, guide pages, isolation distances
• Safety Data Sheets: hazmat-relevant sections (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
• NFPA 704: fire diamond system, health/flammability/reactivity/special ratings
• GHS Classification: physical and health hazard classes, categories, pictograms
• Hazmat Storage: compatibility, segregation, quantity limits, ventilation, containment
• HAZWOPER Awareness: 29 CFR 1910.120, awareness/operations/technician/specialist levels
• Spill Response (Awareness): recognise, isolate, notify, avoid contact
• PPE for Hazmat: Level A/B/C/D awareness, selection based on hazard
• Regulatory Framework: DOT (transport), EPA (environment), OSHA (worker safety)

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• All workers who handle, store, or transport hazardous materials
• Warehouse and shipping/receiving personnel
• Safety officers managing hazmat programmes
• Emergency response team members at awareness level
• Environmental compliance officers
• Drivers transporting hazardous materials (awareness level)

• Introduction to Hazardous Materials — YOU ARE HERE (hazmat awareness)
• Hazard Communication (chemical labelling and SDS at regulatory depth)
• Oil Spill Cleanup Program (petroleum spill response)
• International Diploma in Advanced Industrial Hygiene (chemical hazards at diploma depth)