TOOLKIT FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION.

TOOLKIT FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION

Module 8: Hazmat Transportation Workforce Development Issues

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This work is sponsored by the U. S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). It was conducted through the Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP), which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies.

Prepared by3 Sigma Consultants, LLC909 Edenbridge Way, Nashville, TN 37215

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module students will be able to:

1.Recognize the challenges facing the development of the future workforce to address hazardous materials transportation issues.

2.Describe the career paths taken by those engaged in hazardous materials transportation.

3. Identify potential actions to increase the supply of professionals in the hazardous materials transportation field.

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Topics

• Issues facing the future transportation workforce • Insights into the subset of workforce needs for

hazardous materials transportation• Career pathways

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Transportation Work Force Challenges

• Demographic changes in the work force• Competitive labor market• New technologies• Demand on the transportation industry

Source: NCHRP Report 685, Strategies to Attract and Retain a Capable Transportation Workforce, 2011 5

Demographic Changes

• Aging workforce⁻ Wave of ‘baby boomer’ retirements⁻ 30% of railroad workforce eligible for retirement in 5 years

• More women pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields

• More ethnically diverse workforce• Changing perceptions of career paths and employee

loyalty

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Competitive Labor Market

• Image of the industry– Perceived as dangerous– Low tech image

• Working conditions– May require relocation– Unpredictable hours– Must be drug free– May require specialized certifications

• Retention– Many workers seeking other opportunities

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New Technologies

• Field is not viewed as ‘high tech’• Yet, technology applications requires an advanced

skill set

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Demand on the Transportation Industry

• Overall demand on the transportation system has increased by 20% in recent years

• Employment projections indicate additional growth in the sector– BLS projects over 573,000 new freight transportation jobs

over the decade 2010 to 2020, a growth of 22.1%.*

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*Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012, Table 48-490, Transportation and Warehousing.

Hazmat Transportation Employment Demand Indicators

• The movement of hazardous materials through the U.S. transportation system represents almost 18 percent of total tonnage for all freight shipments as measured by the Commodity Flow Survey (CFS).

• Hazardous materials ton-mileage represents about 10 percent of the CFS national total.

• The value of hazmat shipments between 2002 and 2007 more than doubled, from $660 billion to $1,448 billion.

• Implication: At least 10 to 20 percent of freight jobs involve transport of hazmat.

— Even occasional shipments of hazmat require trained personnel.

Source: 2007 Commodity Flow Survey, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2011. 10

Hazmat Transportation Employment Demand Indicators

• Tank Car Demand– The lack of a pipeline from the Bakken Shale formation has prompted

greater demand for tank cars to transport the oil.– Tank car demand has also been bolstered by continued strength in

ethanol production.

• Tank Barge Demand– A marine carrier sees rising interest in moving domestic crude by

waterborne vessels as domestic shale oil production increases.

Sources: Railway Age, Feb. 1, 2012; and Reuters, October 25, 2012.

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Focused Challenges in Hazardous Materials Transportation Career Development

• No one single career preparation path• The individual with hazmat transportation

responsibility may also have other duties within the company.

• Promotion to the position is most often from within.

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Career Preparation Paths

• Railroad VP of Safety and Emergency Response– Degree in Education - Fire service – Hazmat responsibility- many courses in

emergency response – training leader• Railroad Director of Hazardous Materials

– BS in Engineering – additional emergency response training –certified locomotive engineer, active at a high level in professional organizations

• Consultant– BS in Business – background in logistics and supply chain – involved in

chemical industry Responsible Care® program• Hazmat Instructor, Consultant and Author

– Electronics and instrumentation training, military service, logistics manager, hazmat certification training, emergency management instructor

• Chemical Industry – Hazmat Distribution Safety– BS in civil Engineering – supply chain, warehouse management, and

hazmat distribution safety

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Multiple Responsibilities ofHAZMAT Transportation Manager

• Training• Logistics• Package design• Regulatory enforcement• Safety• Risk analysis• Emergency response• Represent company/industry on national committees

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Typical Responsibilities of Hazmat Transportation Manager

• Assuring that all employees handling hazmat shipments are trained and properly certified

• Implementing processes and procedures to insure that all federal and other regulations are followed

• Be the primary point of contact for any issues or questions relating to hazmat transportation

• Developing and implementing plans for incident response

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Alternative Career Paths in Hazardous Materials Transportation

Engineering Environmental Chemical Civil and Environmental Mechanical Systems Industrial

Environmental and Health Science Chemistry Business

Supply Chain and Logistics Management/Business Administration

Information Science Other (e.g., agriculture, construction, military)

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How Do You Fill the Pipeline?

• K-12• Community college• Undergraduate programs• Graduate programs• Professional development and continuing

education– Retention and promotion

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K-12

• Encourage mathematics and science preparation by focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) career opportunities.

• Develop materials aimed at K-12 level to provide students and parents basic information on hazardous materials transportation

• Develop materials relating to chemistry, environmental, health science and transportation careers

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Community College

• Provide career guidance to highlight employment opportunities in engineering, chemistry, environmental science and transportation

• Provide scholarships and internships

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Undergraduate Programs

• Include some coverage of hazardous materials transportation challenges in undergraduate courses.

• Host speakers or programs to inform students of career opportunities.

• Provide scholarships and internships.

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Graduate Programs

• Offer courses or programs in hazardous materials transportation.

• Develop a research program focused on hazardous materials transportation.

• Provide scholarships and research funding opportunities.

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Retention and Promotion

• This is key as most positions are filled from within organizations.

• Offer education and training opportunities, specifically in areas such as transportation basics, environmental science, and chemistry.

• Provide opportunities for professional growth and advancement.– Advanced degrees– Professional certification– Executive management training– Membership and involvement in professional organizations

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Key Takeaways

• The volume of hazardous materials carried by the U.S. transportation network will continue to increase.

• The demand for qualified individuals to manage the flow of hazardous goods will continue to increase.

• Steps must be taken beginning at the K-12 level to expose individuals to responsibilities associated with hazmat material safety and security.

• Educational programs should be available for post secondary students through graduate school to develop awareness, knowledge and skills related to hazmat transportation.

• As most hazardous materials transportation positions are filled from within an organization, it is vital that organizations provide education and training opportunities to maintain knowledge levels and to support promotion and retention of staff.

• Given these diverse needs, a hazmat transportation curriculum tool kit that is comprehensive yet adaptable should be maintained and broadly disseminated.

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Student Exercises

• Prepare a job description along with required education and desired skills for the position of hazardous materials transportation manager for a major trucking company.

• Develop an outline for a 15 minute talk to high school students on why it is important to have a knowledge of environmental science and chemistry if you are responsible for hazardous materials transportation.

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Resources for Career Development Information

• The Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles, Inc., www.costha.com

• Dangerous Goods Advisory Council, www.dgac.org• Institute of Hazardous Materials Management,

http://www.ihmm.org/• American Chemical Society, www.acs.org• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,

www.phmsa.dot.gov• Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP),

http://www.trb.org/HMCRP/HMCRP.aspx• Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals,

https://www.ahmpnet.org/

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Resources for Support and Additional Learning

• NCHRP Report 685, Strategies to Attract and Retain a Capable Transportation Workforce, 2011.

• The Workforce Challenge, Transportation Research Board Special Report 175, 2003.

• Employment Projections, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Blueprint for Success – Enhancing the Image of the Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Good Professional, COSTHA, http://www.costha.com/initiatives/enhancing-the-image/.

• Trends, Issues & Careers in Hazardous Materials Transportation, Webinar sponsored by the American Public University, http://vimeo.com/7268895.

• Workforce Summit, Council of University Transportation Centers, April 24-26, 2012, Washington, D.C., http://www.artba.org/mediafiles/pdfhdntwssummary.pdf

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