A.G. Gancarski
A bill filed in the Florida House on Tuesday would codify requirements for use of professional abbreviations by those handling dangerous goods and hazardous materials.
Additionally, it would impose stricter penalties for those misrepresenting their credentials, via the Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices Act.
House Bill 415, filed by Jacksonville Republican Clay Yarborough, stipulates that anyone billed as a “certified dangerous goods professional,” “certified hazardous materials manager,” or “certified hazardous materials practitioner,” or using the abbreviations thereof, must accurately disclose his or her credentials.
And those credentials, asserts the Yarborough bill, must be officially from the “Institute of Hazardous Materials Management or another institution that issues such certificates.”
The bill, in addition to ensuring that those handling hazardous and dangerous goods are actually credentialed and certified to do so, also protects veterans, Rep. Yarborough said.
“Increasingly, the holders of these certifications are Veterans returning from the Middle East. We should ensure there is accountability if an individual misrepresents that they hold these certifications. As the certifications become more known and popular, there have been instances of individuals falsely asserting they hold the certifications. This legislation has been passed in 19 other states,” Yarborough noted.
4 comments
Ron Harvey
January 25, 2017 at 3:47 pm
personally, i hate this kind of legislation. i have no credentials at all, but i have been handling hazmat for 33 years and i know this work as well as anyone with a credential. and requiring “those handling hazardous and dangerous goods are actually credentialed and certified to do so” would include stockers at wlamart puting paint on the shelves.
this legislation will not help anyone (except the credentialling organizations) and will cost businesses millions.
another government boondoggle in the works
Gene Sanders, CDGP, CDGT, CET, DGSA
January 26, 2017 at 10:22 pm
Ron, it’s not clear to me whether the law would require everyone dealing with dangerous goods (HazMat for transport) to get a CDGP (or CHMM or CHMP), or merely requires that those that say they have one, actually have one.
I lean toward the ‘prevent fraudulent statements of qualifications’ interpretation, but would side with you if the law would require all DG workers to get one of those certifications (CDGP doesn’t cover 49CFR, and CHMM is only 8-9% transportation).
Ron Harvey
February 3, 2017 at 6:33 pm
there is noly one thing worse than a bad law – an obscure one. assuming you have looked at the language of the proposal (i have not), then this one seems like the latter case. this area of regulation is confusing enough for the business owners and managers. another unclear rule is the last thing we need.
Gene Sanders
February 4, 2017 at 10:58 am
Thanks, Ron. I agree with you about too many confusing rules for small businesses.
This bill, yes, I have now read it, is fairly short and straightforward. No one will be legally allowed to claim to be a CHMM or CDGP unless he/she is actually a CHMM or CDGP. As a CDGP myself, I think it should help prevent, or if necessary punish, fraudulent competition. So, this bill, as written, with its short and narrow focus, I can support.
It’s good to meet, even if only electronically, someone else who knows what Dangerous Goods are.
Gene S.
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