Next Oregon Class UST A/B Operator Training June 12

Attention Oregon UST owner and operators. Our next scheduled Class A/B UST Operator Course is June 12, 2013 in Portland, Oregon. Sign up today and tell your friends! Learn more.

If you’re a UST owner in Washington, note that the Oregon class is approved by reciprocity in Washington.

Now that the warm weather is returning, be careful when you fill up your lawnmower’s little red gas can at your favorite local gas station. Did you know it’s not safe to fill the can in back of your car or truck? Of course you do because if you’re reading this you’re probably a Class A, B or C operator. But not everyone knows about gas station safety including your customers or staff. Last weekend I was at a local gas station and saw a number of customers filling up, obviously excited to mow the lawn, but one of them was filling up in the back of his truck: a big non-no.

What the problem? An unsecured plastic gas can in your vehicle can generate static electricity while moving around on carpet or a truck bed liner. If you arrive at a gas station with an electrically charged gas can, you run the risk of starting a fire when you touch the nozzle tip to the can.

The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) shares a video on the history of the gas station. We’ve had Class C UST operators for a long time; they just didn’t know it yet.

Every once in a while we like to look at the national picture of Underground Storage Tank compliance and wonder how effective is UST operator training, or, for that matter, how effective is UST enforcement by implementing agencies. If you go to EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tank (OUST) UST Performance Measures you can see how states, regions and tribes are doing. For Instance

Big Picture

• 483,508 Regulated USTs Active
• 1,777,339 Regulated USTs Closed (73%)
• 507,540 Confirmed Releases
• 426,637 Cleanups Complete (84%)

If you haven’t been to our YouTube web page in a while you might want to check it out: We’ve been adding videos lately that you can use to compliment what you know about UST system (Accidents, Inspections, Tank Savvy Minute playlists) or just get a laugh on funny clips (Humorous playlist). Enjoy!

Accident Videos

Inspection Videos

Tank Savvy Minute Videos

Humorous Videos

UST Training recently developed a template for UST owners to use to help them be prepared for an emergency spill, fire or release. Because of the Class C UST operator training rules, more and more states are starting to require UST owners not only have Class C operators trained to do emergency response but also have signage available if a problem happens after hours. This type of signage is required in Washington and Oregon and is a good idea at any UST site regardless.

The template comes with instructions and two fill-in-the-blank placards. Operators can download, print, fill in, laminate and post these signs: One at the fill area and one at the dispenser area.

For a limited time UST Training is making this Emergency Response signage available for free to download. These signs will be available in all of our Class A/B courses shortly, and not just WA and OR. Any questions just email us.

UST Training has teamed up with Las Americas Petroleum Services (LAPS) to provide what we believe to be the first-ever UST Inspector training class in the US–in Spanish.

The 4-days class will be held at Fort Buchanan in San Juan, Puerto Rico, April 23-26, 2013. Like our previous boot camps over the years, the training will be partial classroom learning with the rest in the field doing testing and inspecting exercises. Students can learn about line pressure, then test a product line. Students can learn about corrosion principles, then do a continuity test.

The course is suitable for anyone needing a hands-on education in UST technology, testing, inspection and maintenance. This can include government inspectors, owner and operators and compliance officers. It’s not limited to just inspectors.

Instructors Frank Aquino and Deborah Caban of LAPS have years of experience testing UST systems and training students. Ben Thomas and Steve Purpora have been doing our UST Boot Camp for years and will be on hand to help guide the class.

Dates:  April 23-26, 2013
Times: 8 AM to 4 PM each day
Location: Fort Buchanan, San Juan, PR
Cost: $2,195 per person
Prerequisites: None. All are welcome. The course is excellent for UST beginners as well as seasoned inspectors.

Register now. Seating is limited. Attend this first ever UST Boot Camp in Spanish this spring.

By Ben Thomas, USTtraining.com

Reprinted from Tank Talk, December 2012
In May of 2009, I delivered what I believe was
the nation’s first live, online state-approved
Class A/B UST operator webinar. From the
comfort of my Washington-based office, I was
able to guide thirty-five or so slightly
bewildered Colorado operators through
everything from tank registration to spill bucket
cleaning.

Calling all West Virginia Class A/B UST Operators! Here is your last chance to save $100 before New Years.

The $100 State of West Virginia DEP training scholarships expire on 12/31/12. This is your last chance to take advantage of this tremendous discount when you purchase our Class A/B UST Operator course. This offer is limited to operators in USTs of West Virginia. Click here to learn more.

We’ve also reduced the price of our Self-Paced to $169.95 so if you get the scholarship you can receive top notch training for only $69.95!

To receive a scholarship coupon code contact us at 866-301-8265 or [email protected]

Happy Holidays to our UST Training customers.

We’re pleased to announce a price drop for Wisconsin and West Virginia Class A/B Self-Paced Courses. Now take top notch training for less: the former price of $239.95 is now $169.95.

Wisconsin

West Virginia (also valid by reciprocity in Alabama, Florida, Virginia, and Washington DC.

UST Training’s Washington Class A/B UST Operator Training course is now approved by reciprocity in Alaska. Alaska UST operators have until 12/31/12 to receive training and become certified. Learn more.

2013 Webinar Series Survey

We will be offering a new series of online webinars in 2013 on UST compliance for owners, operators, inspectors and contractors. Each webinar will be live and instructor-led by UST Training staff or one of our associates.

We’d like you to answer a few questions to help us better gauge our audience and make sure we deliver what you’re looking for. This survey is only 6 questions and will only take a few minutes. The first 20 respondents get a free online Class C course!  Thanks!!

START SURVEY

Attention owner and operators of USTs in West Virginia. Last chance to save $100 when taking our online Class A/B course.

The West Virginia DEP still has some scholarships available but they must be applied for and used by this December 31, 2012. Contact us ASAP if you still need training or the AB operator in your company is not longer there.

Contact us and apply at 866-301-8265 or [email protected] or learn more here.

Some interesting images from the Mid Atlantic States after Hurricane Sandy. We wonder if Class C UST operators would know what to do under such intense circumstances. Our hopes and prayers to a speedy recovered to all UST owners impacted by Sandy.

The flooding that resulted from October’s Hurricane Sandy on the Eastern Seaboard will have flooded thousands of USTs, whose owner hopefully plugged all the risers before retreating to high ground this week.

Upon returning UST owners will need to know what to do to bring the UST system back online. The Washington Department of Ecology has provided a useful guide on how to do this. Feel free to download and review.