Compliance Uncomplicated Introducing the Propane Regulatory Compliance Program. It makes one of your toughest jobs easier. Compliance with federal regulations is the law. Unfortunately, it hasn't always been easy to find or understand the federal regulations that pertain specifically to the propane industry. Now you're about to get the help you need to access and more easily implement regulatory standards. Introducing the Propane Regulatory Compliance Program. Funded by the Propane Education & Research Council, the Compliance Program is designed to help propane marketers operate in compliance and run their businesses in the safest manner possible. Just two books do the whole job. The Compliance Program has two key components. The first is a guidebook, developed by the National Propane Gas Association, that takes all of the information set forth by three federal regulatory agencies -- the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -- and puts it into simple, concrete explanations of what's required for regulatory compliance. An accompanying handbook, which includes an interactive CD, is the second component. It is designed as a comprehensive, easy-to-use tool to educate and train you and your employees on the handling and transportation of propane in accordance with OSHA and DOT regulations. Written by people who know the issues you deal with in your business everyday, these materials translate the sometimes difficult technical text of the law into clear and helpful information you can use to thoroughly meet regulatory standards. By implementing the Compliance Program, you can provide a safer workplace for your employees. You'll help ensure the well-being of your customers, as well as the health and growth of our industry. Keep the Guide close by. As a manager or owner of a propane business, you'll want to keep the regulatory compliance guidebook nearby for quick and easy reference. This comprehensive book catalogues and outlines all of the propane-relevant federal OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulations. Use it often to quickly check that your people, equipment, and operations are in compliance. Our Training Handbook and CD provide an easy-to-implement training curriculum. The training handbook and CD, both developed by J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc., include nine training modules. Employees should go through specific modules of the CD program based on their job duties and description. Each module contains important job-related information, instructions, and a quiz the employee must take to complete the training. Following is a brief overview of each module. Module 1 Training Requirements Based on the concept that employees have a need and a right to know, this module contains information on the hazards and identities of the chemicals propane industry employees work with, and the protective measures available to prevent harmful effects. Module 2 Hazard Communication This material increases employee awareness of the hazardous chemicals used in the workplace and how to protect oneself on the job. Module 3 General Awareness Hazmat Training Module 3 explains the basic requirements of DOT regulations for special transportation and handling requirements for hazardous materials and reviews employer and employee key responsibilities. Module 4 Emergency Response and Safety OSHA requires that employees receive training on what to do in an emergency in their facility. The training is referred to as the Emergency Action Plan (EAP). In Module 4, employees learn what they are expected to do in an emergency and review the guidelines that are part of all EAPs. Module 5 Loading and Unloading Module 5 covers safe loading and unloading procedures for bobtails, transports, and railcars from a regulatory standpoint, including what measures to take to control ignition sources and secure cargo. Module 6 CMV Driver Requirements Qualified and dependable drivers have fewer accidents. Employees who complete this module will be able to discuss who is responsible for compliance with the Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) driver requirements, including hours of services and drug and alcohol testing. Module 7 Vehicle Inspection Vehicle inspections are a legal requirement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Employees will learn the three types of vehicle inspections, explain when and how often they must perform each type, and identify several reasons why vehicle inspections are important. Module 8 Cylinder Safety Propane cylinders are safe, as long as they are handled properly and ignition sources are controlled. This module explains when cylinders must be inspected, describes what to look for when inspecting a cylinder, and explains what to do with a rejected cylinder. Cylinders may only be filled if they are in compliance with DOT specifications. Module 9 Materials of Trade Module 9 identifies the hazard classifications that qualify for exceptions and the quantity limits for hazmats transported in the retail propane industry as materials of trade that qualify for the exceptions. It also explains the packaging guidelines and marking requirements for hazmats as materials of trade. Certificates of completion help your employees "get with the program." At the end of each training module, after the employee has correctly answered every quiz question, the program instructs the employee to print out a Certificate of Training as proof of mastery of the material. Marketers should retain a copy of each Certificate of Training in each employee's file. In accordance with federal OSHA and DOT requirements, propane marketers must provide both general and function-specific training to their employees. OSHA requires employers to provide training to its employees on the hazardous chemicals in their workplace at the time of their initial assignment and whenever new hazards are introduced into the workplace. DOT requires employers to provide training within the first 90 days of employment for any employees that handle and/or transport hazardous materials, and recurrent training at least once every three years. You should retain the CD and handbook, as they must be available in the event that an inspector, auditor, or attorney asks for verification of the training and quiz questions. The propane industry is committed to raising the level of safety and compliance nationwide. The Compliance Program is one of many exceptional programs funded by the Propane Education & Research Council. By working together, the propane industry is making great strides in workplace and consumer safety with the development and implementation of innovative programs designed to reach both consumers and propane employees. The Council mailed the Compliance Program to safety and training directors across the country in April 2002. Please click here to download the supplemental update to the Guide. PROPANE EDUCATION & RESEARCH COUNCIL