Operator Training

PURPOSE: This rule establishes criteria for approval of operator training courses. (1) Only training approved by the department will be credited toward meeting the operator training requirements. Operator training content shall be related to Missouri Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations, general CAFO waste management systems knowledge, water quality, agronomy, general agriculture, soil science, applied mathematics, chemistry, hydraulics, pumps, irrigation management and operation of irrigation and land application equipment, as applied to CAFO waste management systems. (2) Training providers sponsoring operator training for CAFO waste management system operators shall submit the following to the department for approval. This information should be submitted to the department at least thirty (30) days prior to the training: (A) Date and location of the training; (B) Name, address and telephone number of person to contact regarding the training; (C) Course outline, showing the topic(s) to be presented and time allotted for each (including beginning and ending times); (D) Name(s) of instructor(s) and qualifications (not just title or company name); (E) List of any audiovisual materials to be used, such as videotapes, slides, slide/tape presentations, films and overheads; and (F) Handouts. (3) Renewal credit is based upon actual inclass contact time in the training. All breaks and meal times must be noted on the agenda and will not count toward in-class contact time. Excessive time allotted for introductions or welcomes and business meetings will not count toward contact time. (4) No credit will be given until a training course is completed. The completion date of a multi-day course is the last day of the course. (5) Renewal credit will be issued in increments of one-half (0.5) hour. The minimum course length will be one (1) hour in length. Any training or portion of training approved by the Department of Natural Resources and issued continuing education units (CEUs) will be given credit at the rate of ten (10.0) hours per one (1.0) CEU. (6) Once the information for a course required in section (2) has been approved, it need not be resubmitted for subsequent sessions of that course. However, any change in the course content, time allotted, instructor or material used must be submitted to the department for approval. The department must be notified thirty (30) days in advance of any subsequent session(s) of an approved course. (7) Training in fields related to CAFO waste management or by out-of-state entities will be reviewed for renewal credit on an individual basis. The operator must provide the information specified in subsections (2)(A)–(F) of this rule. (8) All department approvals will be in writing. The approval will include a course attendance roster form that will show the course name, coordinator, date, location, course identification number and amount of renewal credit. (9) Advertisement of any training shall not state that the program has been approved for renewal credit until the department has issued its formal approval and assigned a course identification number and determined the amount of renewal credit. Any advertisement that states that the training is approved must include the course identification number and amount of renewal credit. (10) Training providers should issue certificates verifying the completion of training courses to the attendees. The certificates include the following: (A) Attendee’s name; (B) Name of the course; (C) Renewal credit; (D) Course identification number; (E) Date that the course was held; (F) Location of the course; and (G) Name of the course coordinator or instructor. (11) Training providers shall submit the course attendance roster to the department within fifteen (15) working days of the completion of the course. Information on the roster shall include: (A) Name of the course; (B) Renewal credit; (C) Course identification number; (D) Date that the course was held; (E) Location of the course; (F) Name of the course coordinator or instructor; (G) Names of all attendees; and (H) Certificate number of all attendees, if applicable. (12) The department shall make information available upon request as to which courses, seminars, etc., will be approved for CAFO waste management system operator renewal purposes. (13) Renewal credit shall be valid only for the renewal period in which it was earned. Renewal credit in excess of the required hours for the renewal period may not be carried over into any subsequent renewal training period. AUTHORITY: section 644.026, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed March 1, 1996, effective Nov. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed Nov. 14, 2000, effective July 30, 2001. *Original authority: 644.026, RSMo 1972, amended 1973, 1987, 1993, 1995, 2000.