UST Operator Training

On August 8, 2005, the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 became effective. KDHE has to meet provisions of the Energy Policy Act to continue to receive funding from EPA to operate the Underground Storage Tanks (UST) Program in Kansas. The Act requires that employees who work at facilities where USTs are located be trained to operate those USTs. Specifically, the Act specifies three levels of training:

  • Persons having primary responsibility for on-site operation and maintenance of underground storage tank systems. [Class A UST Operators]

KDHE considers Class A UST Operators to be those individuals who have the responsibility to obtain storage tank operation permits from KDHE. Class A UST Operators also work with Kansas-licensed UST contractors during the installation, repair, and upgrade of USTs. Class A Operators may be owners of UST systems or upper-level managers in companies or governmental bodies that own USTs.

  • Persons having daily on-site responsibility for the operation and maintenance of underground storage tank systems. [Class B UST Operators]

KDHE considers Class B UST Operators to be those individuals who are on-site managers of facilities with USTs. These include retail facilities where fuel is sold or bulk plants. Class B Operators can also manage UST systems at companies or governmental bodies that fuel privately- or government-owned vehicles. Responsibilities of these employees include monthly and daily release detection reporting, as well as inventory control.

  • Daily on-site employees having primary responsibility for addressing emergencies presented by a spill or release from an underground storage tank system. [Class C UST Operators]

KDHE considers Class C UST Operators to be those employees who work at facilities with USTs. These employees are not considered to be managers. However, they may help out with daily release detection reporting or performing other UST-related duties as requested by their managers. Those employees who work behind the cash registers at convenience stores or who would be the first to notice or find out that there is something wrong with the gas pumps or dispensers should take the Class C UST Operator Training.

Starting on July 1, 2007, KDHE required that operators of all regulated USTs receive training on the operation of USTs to meet the requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Act required KDHE to certify to EPA that KDHE met the operator training requirements by August 8, 2008. The deadline for completing UST Operator Training was August 1, 2012. KDHE will not issue UST operating permits to owners and operators who have not completed operator training by this date. After August 1, 2012, new Class A and Class B operators must be trained within 30 days of hire. New Class C operators must receive training prior to assuming responsibility for responding to emergencies.

Refresher training will be required every four years for UST Operators that have not changed positions in their places of work or have not received duties requiring additional responsibility. Mandatory retraining may be required if KDHE determines that a facility has operated USTs without permits, or the USTs at that facility are found to be out of compliance with state and federal UST regulations.

UST Operator Training is free if you own or operate USTs in Kansas. Contact Tank Management Services, Inc., or call 785-233-1414 or 1-800-530-5683 for information.

The current schedule for renewing operator training certificates is:

  • If you took the class in 2007, 2008, or 2009 - You will need to recertify (retake the UST training class) by the end of 2014.
  • If you took the class in 2010 or 2011 - You will need to recertify (retake the UST training class) by the end of 2015.
  • If you took the class in 2012 - You will need to recertify four years to the date that you took the class in 2012.

From that point on you will need to recertify (retake the UST training class) every four years.