Operator Training FAQs

Federal law mandates operator training requirements.

All individuals who operate, maintain, or are responsible for addressing emergencies presented by spills or releases from Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) must receive training based on their duties and level of responsibility for USTs. This requirement includes owner/operators of all regulated USTs including emergency generator USTs.

Each underground storage tank system at a facility must have a certified Class A, Class B, and Class C Operator designated. An individual can be certified for all three classes as long as they are trained in all three.

Class A and Class B Operators must be trained within 30 days of assuming operation and maintenance responsibilities for the UST system. Class C Operators must be trained before assuming responsibility for responding to emergencies.

No. The Operator training is for owner and operators. The certified worker program is for those who want to install, remove, repair, test, and/or repair UST systems.

The following are definitions of the different operator classifications. Owners must determine who best fits this role at their facilities.

• Class A Operators are responsible for the broader aspects of compliance and are typically in management positions. They are at the highest level of responsibility. In smaller operations this will likely be the tank Owner/Operator and within a larger company this may be an Environmental Manager. The Class A operator’s responsibilities include managing resources and personnel, such as establishing work assignments, to achieve and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
  
  
• Class B Operators implement the regulatory requirements on a daily basis at one or more facilities. Class B Operators must have a more in depth understanding of operation and maintenance aspects but will have a narrower area of responsibility than a Class A Operator. For a large corporation this could be a district manager, maintenance supervisor, or a site manager, for a smaller company it may be the owner or operator. This individual implements day-to-day aspects of operating, maintaining, and recordkeeping for USTs.
  
  
• Class C Operators are the first line of response to an emergency event. In most instances this will be the clerk or store manager. The Class C Operator controls the dispensing of fuel and is responsible for initial response to alarms or releases. This individual notifies the Class A and Class B operator and appropriate emergency responders when necessary. An Operator with at least a Class C certification must be on site during fueling operations at all facilities, unless the facility has been designated as an unmanned facility.

No. The Class A and/or B do not have be on site at all times; however, there must be a Class C operator on site during all hours of operation unless the facility has been designated as an unmanned facility. However, in the case of an unmanned facility, a Class C Operator must be available at all times to respond immediately to calls from the facility and must be capable of reaching the facility within 60 minutes.

Yes. Every owner must have one person that is a certified Class A Operator, however if the owner should have multiple locations they would be able to designate one person to be over all of their facilities. WVDEP would caution against putting one person over so many facilities that it may inhibit their ability to fully perform their duties as a Class A Operator. This person or persons must be someone within the organization that the owner has designated as their Class A Operator. The role of the Class A operator cannot be filled by an outside contractor/consultant.

Yes. Every owner must have one person that is a certified Class B Operator, however if the owner should have multiple locations they would be able to designate one person to be over all of their facilities. WVDEP would caution against putting one person over so many facilities that it may inhibit their ability to fully perform their duties as a Class B Operator. WVDEP will give consideration to allowing the Class B Operator role to be performed by a contractor/consultant when formally requested and approved by WVDEP.

Yes.

Yes. One person can serve as a Class A, Class B, and Class C Operator. However, multiple Class C Operators will likely be necessary at most facilities because a Class C Operator must be on site during fueling operations.

No. The Class A Operator role is fulfilled by the owner/operator and cannot be contracted out.

Yes. WVDEP will give consideration to allowing the Class B Operator role to be fulfilled by a contracted individual when formally requested and approved by WVDEP.

Yes. Each Class A and Class B Operator must carry proof of training during duty hours, and each Class C Operator must have proof of training present at the location where the Class C Operator is on duty. The certified operator (Class A, B, & C) must have personal photo identification available that will enable WVDEP to verify that certified operator's identity.

Yes, beginning October 13, 2018 the Class A or Class B operator can train the Class C operator. This is consistent with the newly adopted federal regulations.

No, there is no requirement for annual refresher training. However, WVDEP reserves the right to require retraining of Operators if it is determined that a UST system at their facility does not meet significant operational compliance. WVDEP will determine whether Class A, Class B, or both classes of operators require retraining based on the compliance issues observed.

No. WVDEP does not have reciprocity with other states for the Operator Training Program.

WVDEP approved training vendors are listed on the UST Operator Training page. As we approve additional vendors, their names and contact information will be added to the web page.

Failure to properly train any operator class or comply with the training requirements is a violation of the Code of State Rules Title 33, Series 30 and may result in an enforcement action being taken by WVDEP.

If an ownership change occurs, any new Class A and B operators must be designated and trained within 30 days of the change of ownership. If a Class A and/or B operator is replaced at a Facility, the Class A and/or B operator must be trained within 30 days of assuming their job duties. All Class C operators must be trained before beginning their job duties.

No. All facilities having at least 1 active regulated UST must have at least one Class A, Class B, and Class C operator designated for that facility.

Yes. Every facility, manned or unmanned, must have a Class A, Class B, and Class C Operator designated for the facility.

Every facility, manned or unmanned, must have a designated Class A, Class B, and Class C Operator. A Class C Operator must be on site during all hours of operation or must be available at all times to respond immediately to calls from the facility and must be capable of reaching the facility within 60 minutes.​​