michigan UST Operators

Michigan underground storage tank facilities are regulated by the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services, Storage Tank Section.  The Michigan UST rules & Michigan UST regulations are found in Part 211, Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulations, of Act 451 of 1994, as amended, and the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Rules (MUSTR). The Michigan UST operator training rules (Subpart J) requires the owner or operator of each Michigan UST facility to train at least one employee in each of the following classifications:

1. Michigan Class A UST Operator – The Michigan Class A UST operator is typically the owner or manager of a UST facility who has general knowledge of regulations governing USTs. The Michigan Class A UST operator has responsibility for providing the appropriate resources and staff to maintain compliance with Michigan UST regulations and federal UST regulations.  Michigan Class A UST operators must be retrained every 5 years.
2. Michigan Class B UST Operator – The Michigan Class B UST operator has responsibility for implementing the day-to-day, site-specific requirements including maintenance, operation, and record keeping at the Michigan UST facility. The Michigan Class B UST operator also has responsibility for training the Michigan Class C UST operators. Michigan Class B UST operators must be retrained every 5 years.
3. Michigan Class C UST Operator – The Michigan Class C UST operator is the first responder to emergencies at the Michigan UST facility. At a typical convenience store, the Michigan Class C UST operator will often be the clerk or attendant at the gas station.  At an industrial facility, the Michigan Class C UST operator could be a facility employee that works in the vicinity of the USTs.  The Michigan Class A and Michigan Class B UST Operators have the responsibility of training the Michigan Class C UST Operators. Michigan Class C UST operators must understand how to recognize alarms or emergency conditions, how to respond to alarms or spills, and how to call the Michigan Class A or Class B UST operators and appropriate responders in case of an emergency or fuel spill.

On October 13, 2015, USEPA finalized the first significant changes to the federal UST regulations since 1988. On November 14, 2018, new rules went into effect for the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Rules (MUSTR). These Michigan UST regulation revisions are discussed in the in the Storage Tank New Rule Requirements Frequently Asked Question.

The most significant revisions to the Michigan UST regulations went fully into effect on November 14, 2018 and are listed below.

• UST system compatibility demonstration;
• Monthly UST walkthrough inspections;
• Annual UST walkthrough inspections;
• Tri-Annual UST spill container and UST containment sump testing;
• Annual UST overfill prevention equipment inspections;
• Annual UST release detection equipment testing; and, but not limited to,
• Emergency Generator UST System and Airport Hydrant UST Requirements.

If you have questions about Michigan UST regulations, Michigan UST operator training, or any other Michigan UST requirements, you should contact the Michigan Storage Tank Division by website or by  phone at (517) 241-8847.