The Dangerous Goods Trainers Association (DGTA) has been formally launched after nearly two years of discussion, planning, and organizational meetings. The new association's first public meeting occurred October 21 in conjunction with LabelMaster's 2008 Dangerous Goods Instructors' Symposium in Deerfield Beach FL.
The mission of the new association is to enhance the professionalism of the hundreds of dangerous goods instructors around the world by promoting high standards of competency through education, communications, networking, and a worldwide voluntary, independent instructor certification system. The development of the new certification program, tentatively titled Certified Dangerous Good Trainer (CDGT), is DGTA's primary initial objective.
DGTA is organized as an independent sub-association within the Phoenix AZ-based National Environmental, Safety, and Health Training Association (NESHTA).
As its first order of business, DGTA members and other specialists will develop and validate a blueprint for certification examinations based on requirements established by:
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International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
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International Maritime Organization (IMO)
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Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG)
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European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (RID)
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European Regulations Concerning the International Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail (ADR)
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U. S. Hazardous Materials Transportation Regulations (49 CFR)
Visit www.neshta.org and www.dgtrainers.org for additional information.