Rule 120-3-16-.04. Training Requirements for Georgia Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Workers

1. (1) Each Georgia liquefied petroleum gas industry worker whose primary duties fall within the scope of Subject 120-3-16 shall be trained in proper handling procedures and shall be certified by the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office for the particular job function that they perform. The training curriculum shall be the Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) or equivalent program approved by the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office to include employees engaged as delivery drivers and/or service and installation technicians.

   1. (a) Existing industry workers whose primary duties fall within the scope Subject 120-3-16 shall be certified. The Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office may define who is an existing industry worker, determine when an existing industry worker must be certified, and develop the criteria for certification of existing industry workers when documentation of prior certification does not exist. One of the following methods will be used as certification criteria:

      1. 1. Written or oral examination
      2. 2. Work performance review
      3. 3. Observation during performance of the job
      4. 4. On the job training
   2. (b) New industry workers including seasonal or part-time workers must comply with certification requirements within 12 months of their original date of hire. Other workers that do not meet the requirements of existing industry workers listed in paragraph 120-3-16-.04(1) (a) above or whose certification has expired as described in subsection 120-3-16-.04(3) must comply with certification requirements within 12 months of the original date of hire, expiration of certification, or re-entry into the liquefied petroleum gas industry. Prior to certification, employees may perform duties for which they have been properly trained as per NFPA 58 and other appropriate regulatory agencies.
2. (2) Every Georgia liquefied petroleum gas industry worker must acquire a minimum of six hours of Continuing Education Units (CEU) every three years to maintain their certification.

3. (3) Certification belongs to the Georgia liquefied petroleum gas industry worker and follow the industry worker upon change of employment within the Georgia liquefied petroleum gas industry. A copy of the industry worker's certificate shall be provided to their employer. Certification shall not expire unless:

   1. (a) CEUs required by subsection 120-3-16-.04(2) are not maintained
   2. (b) Industry Worker's employment within the liquefied petroleum gas industry has lapsed for a period of more than one year
   3. (c) The Commissioner deems that revocation of the industry worker's certification is necessary due to gross negligence or violation of this regulation

4. (4) A wallet card indicating valid certification shall be issued by the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office to the liquefied petroleum gas industry worker. This wallet card shall be kept with the industry worker at all times during which they are conducting business and shall be made available to authorities, State or Local, upon request. The wallet card shall be issued in the following classes:

   1. (a) Class I: Basic Transfer and Handling
   2. (b) Class II: Delivery
   3. (c) Class III: Service /Installation
   4. (d) Class IV: Bulk Operator
   5. (e) Class V: Delivery and Service / Installation

5. (5) Certain records regarding certification shall be maintained by the appropriate party and maintained as current.

   1. (a) The Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office shall:

      1. 1. Maintain permanent certification records submitted by the Georgia liquefied petroleum gas industry worker
      2. 2. Notify Certificate holder of upcoming CEU renewal requirements

   2. (b) The Georgia liquefied petroleum gas industry worker shall:

      1. 1. Maintain personal CEU's
      2. 2. Maintain their wallet card that is issued by the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office

   3. (c) The licensed dealer in liquefied petroleum gas shall:

      1. 1. Maintain employee records indicating the status of certified employment base
6. (6) A Propane Industry Advisory Panel shall be appointed by the Commissioner and shall advise the Commissioner of any incidents, accidents, code or standards updates, and any information that may be relevant to the enforcement of this Chapter. The panel shall consist of five members: one independent propane marketer, one multi-state propane marketer, one propane industry supplier representative, one at-large member, and a representative of the State Fire Marshal. Each member of the advisory panel will serve a three-year term. The panel shall meet at least twice a year, or more if required to discuss incidents or accidents.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 10-1-263, 25-2-3, 25-2-4, 25-2-16, 33-2-9, 50-13-21.

History. Original Rule entitled "Special Provisions" adopted. F. Jan. 29, 1968; eff. Apr. 1, 1968, as specified by the Agency.

Repealed: New Rule entitled "Submission of Plans" adopted. F. Nov. 10, 1980; eff. Nov. 30, 1980.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 3, 1987; eff. June 25, 1987, as specified by the Agency.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Dec. 3, 1990; eff. Jan. 1, 1991, as specified by the Agency.

Amended: F. Oct. 16, 1992; eff. Nov. 5, 1992.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Aug. 6, 1998; eff. Aug. 26, 1998.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. July 23, 2003; eff. August 12, 2003.

Repealed: New Rule entitled "Training Requirements for Georgia Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Workers" adopted. F. Jan. 7, 2010; eff. Jan. 27, 2010.

Repealed: New Rule of the same title adopted. F. July 24, 2015; eff. August 13, 2015.

Amended: F. Dec. 13, 2019; eff. Jan. 1, 2020, as specified by the Agency.

Amended: F. Apr. 11, 2025; eff. May 1, 2025.