La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § XI-603

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section XI-603 - Underground Storage Tank Operator Classes

A. There shall be three classes of UST operators, identified as class A, class B, and class C.

1. Designation. Owners of UST systems described in LAC 33:XI.601.B shall designate for each UST system or group of UST systems at a facility, at least one named individual for each class of operators.

a. UST owners may designate a different individual for each class of operators, or one individual for more than one operator class.

b. Any individual designated for more than one operator class shall be trained and certified for each operator class that the individual is designated to represent.

c. Class A and B UST operators are not required to be on-site during hours of operation if a class C UST operator is present during hours of operation.

d. Class A and B UST operators are required for all temporarily closed UST facilities.

e. During hours of operation, UST facilities shall have at least one certified UST operator (either a class A, class B, or class C UST operator) present at the UST facility, except when a UST facility is unmanned. A UST facility is considered unmanned when there is no attendant present at the facility who could respond to alarms or emergencies caused by spills or overfills from the UST system. Examples of UST facilities that may be un-manned at times include, but are not limited to;

i. card lock or card access fueling stations with no attendant present at the time of operation;

ii. telecommunication towers or utility transfer stations serviced by emergency generator USTs;

iii. unattended UST systems located at industrial facilities; and

iv. temporarily closed UST facilities.

2. Training. Individuals designated as Class A, B, or C UST operators shall be trained and certified in accordance with these regulations by the applicable deadlines in LAC 33:XI.607.

B. The three classes of UST operators are identified as follows.

1. Class A UST Operator

a. Functions. A Class A operator of a UST system is the tank owner, or person designated by the tank owner to represent the owner's interest, who has the primary responsibility of ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of the UST system, including managing resources and personnel necessary to achieve and maintain compliance with these regulations.

b. Qualifications and Training. Class A UST operators shall be trained in and have a general knowledge of the requirements of these regulations, including, but not limited to:

i. the UST registration;

ii. system components;

iii. product and equipment compatibility and demonstration;

iv. spill and overfill prevention;

v.

(a). corrosion protection; and

(b). release detection requirements and

(c). the UST recordkeeping and notification requirements;

vi. release and suspected release reporting and response requirements;

vii. temporary and permanent closure requirements;

viii. operator training requirements; and

ix. financial responsibility requirements.

2. Class B UST Operator

a. Functions. A Class B operator of a UST system is a person or persons designated by the tank owner to implement all applicable requirements of these regulations in the field and to implement the day-to-day aspects of the operation and maintenance of, and recordkeeping for, UST systems at one or more facilities.

b. Qualifications. Class B UST operators:

i. shall be capable of monitoring, maintaining, and ensuring compliance with all:

(a). the release detection and prevention methods and equipment requirements;

(b). the release detection and prevention recordkeeping and reporting requirements; and

(c). the release detection equipment performance standards; and

ii. shall be capable of ensuring that class C UST operators;

(a). are trained in facility-specific emergency procedures and notification requirements; and

(b). that these procedures and requirements are posted for the use of class C UST operators.

c. Training. Class B UST operators shall be trained in and have knowledge of the following:

i. UST system components;

ii. operation and maintenance;

iii. spill and overfill prevention;

iv. release detection and related reporting;

v. corrosion protection;

vi. emergency response procedures;

vii. product and equipment compatibility and demonstration;

viii. reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections; and

ix. training requirements for class C UST operators.

3. Class C UST Operator

a. Function. A Class C operator of a UST system is a person or persons designated by the tank owner to be responsible for the effective response to alarms or other indications of emergencies caused by spills, overfills, or releases from UST systems, and to any other indication of possible releases from UST systems.

b. Training. Class C UST operators shall be trained in emergency response procedures, which shall include the operation of emergency shut-off equipment, initial response procedures to alarms and releases, and required notifications to emergency responders and to the designated class A and class B operators of a UST system.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § XI-603

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 36:313 (February 2010), Amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs and Criminal Investigations Division, LR 441605 (9/1/2018).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2001 et seq.