The Rail Hazardous Materials for Contractors (RHMC) course provides emergency response and environmental contractors with the skills and operational knowledge needed to respond to hazardous materials incidents safely and effectively within the rail transportation environment. This course focuses on the real‑world challenges associated with Non‑Accident Releases (NARs), derailments, product transfer activities, and mitigation efforts involving tank cars and locomotives.
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of tank car construction, function, damage identification, and repair considerations, along with the tools and techniques used to control leaks and stabilize rail equipment. Hands‑on instruction covers locomotive fuel spills, fuel transfers, liquid and liquefied compressed gas product transfers, inert gas operations, flaring, hose and pump selection, documentation requirements, and clean‑and‑purge operations.
Training is led by SERTC instructors and experienced railroad hazardous materials managers, providing participants with practical, industry‑tested strategies for incident response, containment, and recovery. RHMC emphasizes safe, coordinated response operations that meet industry standards and support successful outcomes during rail hazmat emergencies.
To support contractor–railroad alignment and ensure the participation of the railroads providing instructional staff, two regional course offerings are available:
This structure ensures that contractors attend the course aligned with the railroad(s) they serve and allows instructional staff to work directly with the contractors most relevant to their service areas.
This course is designed to enhance contractor readiness and strengthen coordinated response efforts with railroad partners during hazardous materials incidents.
Required Prerequisites: Current HAZWOPER or TDG