If anyone at your facility packs, labels, signs for, or loads hazardous materials going out by truck, the U.S. Department of Transportation considers them a hazmat employee. Federal law requires them to be trained, and not just once. Under 49 CFR 172.704, new hazmat employees must be trained within 90...
When EPA inspectors walk through a facility that generates hazardous waste, one of the first things they may look for is proof that every employee who touches that waste has been trained. Training violations consistently rank among the most frequently cited findings in RCRA inspections, and the consequences hit hard:...
Keep your hazmat team current DOT hazmat employees must take refresher training on a regular schedule, and falling behind puts your people, your shipments, and your compliance record at risk. NATEC International, Inc. makes recurrent training simple, with online, in-person, and live virtual options available nationwide. Watch our short overview...
A recent trench collapse in Conroe, Texas, has once again highlighted the deadly hazards associated with excavation work. According to reports from the Houston Chronicle, two construction workers were performing drainage work near a residential development when the trench suddenly collapsed, trapping both workers underground. Coworkers immediately began rescue efforts...
Recent reports highlighted in an SFGATE Article involving alleged lead poisoning in employee housing at Yellowstone National Park serve as a powerful reminder that lead hazards remain a serious occupational and public health concern—even in places where many people may not expect them. A lawsuit filed by a former Yellowstone...
A recent tragedy in Florida is another reminder that confined space hazards remain one of the deadliest risks in industrial and maintenance work. From an article written by Occupational Health & Safety, the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA, a petroleum tank services contractor was cited after a worker died...
At NATEC International, Memorial Day is a time to reflect with gratitude and respect as we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving. We recognize and appreciate the courage, dedication, and selflessness of all who have served. In observance of Memorial Day, and as...
For years, many people assumed the closure of the former Exide battery recycling facility in Vernon, California ended a major environmental and occupational hazard. However, recent reporting suggests the impact may still be present long after operations stopped. According to a recent Los Angeles Times investigation, elevated lead contamination remains...
The utility industry was recently shaken by the tragic death of 21-year-old lineman apprentice Ryan Vargas in Texas. According to a WTOC 11 Report, Vargas was working on power lines from a bucket truck when an electrical arc flash occurred. Vargas and a co-worker were critically injured and transported to...
An Article by The Modesto Bee highlighted the real-life risks working in hazardous environments and the potential consequences of not being properly trained. In May 2026, a serious hazardous materials incident occurred on Interstate 5 near Patterson, California, when a tanker truck overturned, triggering a full hazmat emergency response. The...
