Operator designations and requirements for operator training

All owners and operators of underground storage tank systems shall ensure they have designated class A, class B, and class C operators who meet the requirements of sections 33.1-24-08-45 through 33.1-24-08-48. Owners or operators of underground storage tank systems must designate a class A, class B, and class C operator for each tank system, except unattended cardtrol facilities which are not required to designate a class C operator. Either a class A, or class B, or class C operator must be present onsite during the operation of the tank system, except unattended cardtrol facilities which must have a posted sign in accordance with section 33.1-24-08-44. Separate individuals may be designated for each class of operator or an individual may be designated to more than one operator class. An individual who is designated to more than one operator class must be trained in each operator class for which the individual is designated. Owners or operators must notify the department (for example, written or electronic notice: name of owner, business location address, city, state, zip code, and telephone number), and provide the name of the designated class A and class B operator for each underground storage tank facility owned. The owner or operator shall notify the department of any change of designated class A or class B operators within thirty days of the change. Documentation identifying the designated class C operators shall be maintained at each facility. 1. The class A operator has primary responsibility to operate and maintain the underground storage tank system. The class A operator's responsibilities include managing resources and personnel to achieve and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. Each designated class A operator must either be trained in accordance with subdivisions a and b, or pass a comparable examination in accordance with subsection 5. a. At a minimum, the training program for the class A operator must provide general knowledge of the requirements in this subdivision. At a minimum, the training must teach the class A operators, as applicable, about the purpose, methods, and function of: (1) Spill and overfill prevention; (2) Release detection; (3) Corrosion protection; (4) Emergency response; (5) Product and equipment compatibility and demonstration; (6) Financial responsibility; (7) Notification and storage tank registration; (8) Temporary and permanent closure; (9) Related reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections; (10) Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases; and (11) Training requirements for class B and class C operators. b. At a minimum, the training program must evaluate class A operators to determine these individuals have the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions regarding compliance and determine whether appropriate individuals are fulfilling the operation, maintenance, and recordkeeping requirements for underground storage tank systems in accordance with subdivision a. 2. The class B operator has primary responsibility for implementing the routine daily aspects of operation, maintenance, and recordkeeping for the underground storage tank system. Each designated class B operator must either receive training in accordance with subdivisions a and b, or pass a comparable examination in accordance with subsection 5. a. At a minimum, the training program for the class B operator must cover either general requirements that encompass all regulatory requirements and typical equipment used at underground storage tank facilities, or site-specific requirements which address only the regulatory requirements and equipment specific to the facility. At a minimum, the training program for class B operators must teach the class B operator, as applicable, about the purpose, methods, and function of: (1) Operation and maintenance; (2) Spill and overfill prevention; (3) Release detection and related reporting; (4) Corrosion protection; (5) Emergency response; (6) Product and equipment compatibility and demonstration; (7) Reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections; (8) Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases; and (9) Training requirements for class C operators. b. At a minimum, the training program must evaluate class B operators to determine these individuals have the knowledge and skills to implement applicable underground storage tank regulatory requirements in the field on the components of typical underground storage tank systems or, as applicable, site-specific equipment used at an underground storage tank facility in accordance with subdivision a. c. The class B operator shall ensure the performance and documentation of the onsite operator inspection in accordance with section 33.1-24-08-49. 3. Each designated class C operator either must be trained by a class A or class B operator in accordance with subdivisions a and b, complete a training program in accordance with subdivisions a and b, or pass a comparable examination in accordance with subsection 5. a. At a minimum, the training program for the class C operator must teach the class C operators to take appropriate actions (including notifying appropriate authorities) in response to emergencies or alarms caused by spills or releases resulting from the operation of the underground storage tank system. b. At a minimum, the training program must evaluate class C operators to determine these individuals have the knowledge and skills to take appropriate action (including notifying appropriate authorities) in response to emergencies or alarms caused by spills or releases from an underground storage tank system. 4. Training program. Any training program must meet the minimum requirements of this section and include an evaluation through testing, a practical demonstration, or another approach acceptable to the department. 5. Comparable examination. A comparable examination must, at a minimum, test the knowledge of the class A, class B, or class C operators in accordance with the requirements of subsections 1, 2, or 3, as applicable.