HAZWOPER Training: what is it?

HAZWOPER training, as it is commonly known, or Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, refers to a set of regulations that aim to protect workers who handle hazardous waste and respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials. These regulations are set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, and they apply to a variety of workplaces and industries where hazardous materials are handled or stored.

The HAZWOPER regulations are designed to protect workers by providing them with the knowledge, training, and equipment they need to safely handle hazardous materials. The regulations cover a wide range of topics, including how to identify hazardous materials, how to properly store and dispose of hazardous waste, and how to respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials.

HAZWOPER: where is it needed?

The HAZWOPER regulations apply to several types of workplaces, including:

1. Treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) – these are facilities that handle hazardous waste and are required to comply with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations.
2. Emergency response operations – these are operations that involve responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials, such as spills, leaks, or releases.
3. Clean-up operations – these are operations that involve cleaning up hazardous waste or materials, such as after a spill or during the decommissioning of a facility that handles hazardous waste.
4. Remediation operations – these are operations that involve the removal or treatment of hazardous waste or materials from a site, such as during the cleanup of a contaminated site.

Who needs HAZWOPER training?

The HAZWOPER regulations require that all workers who handle hazardous materials receive appropriate training and have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety measures. The training requirements vary depending on the worker’s role and level of responsibility, but they typically cover topics such as:

1. Identifying hazardous materials – workers must be able to recognize the different types of hazardous materials and understand the risks associated with them.
2. Proper handling and storage – workers must be trained on how to safely handle and store hazardous materials, including how to use PPE and how to properly label and segregate materials.
3. Emergency response – workers must be trained on how to respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials, including how to evacuate the area and how to use emergency response equipment.
4. Health and safety – workers must be trained on the potential health effects of hazardous materials and how to protect themselves from exposure.

As per OSHA standard, every person who enters a site that potentially has hazardous substances or atmosphere present has to complete training, based on their role and level of exposure:

General site employees (e.g., equipment operators, general laborers, etc.):

• 40 hour Initial training (HAZWOPER 40)
• 8 hours annual refresher (HAZWOPER 8 Hour Refresher)

Employees occasionally on site for a limited task (e.g., groundwater monitoring, land surveying, etc.) with minimal exposure:

• 24 hours initial training (HAZWOPER 24)
• 8 hours annual refresher (HAZWOPER 8 Hour Refresher)

Employees regularly on site who are not exposed to health hazards:

• 24 hours initial training (HAZWOPER 24)
• 8 hours annual refresher (HAZWOPER 8 Hour Refresher)

In addition to training, the HAZWOPER regulations also require employers to have an emergency response plan in place in case of an emergency involving hazardous materials. The plan must outline the procedures for responding to emergencies, including evacuation procedures, communication protocols, and the use of emergency response equipment.

HAZWOPER Training benefits

Overall, the HAZWOPER regulations play a critical role in protecting workers who handle hazardous materials and respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials. By providing workers with the knowledge, training, and equipment they need to work safely, the regulations help prevent accidents and protect the environment from the harmful effects of hazardous waste. Employers who fail to comply with the HAZWOPER regulations may face penalties and fines from OSHA, as well as lawsuits from workers who have been injured due to their failure to provide a safe working environment. Therefore, it is important for employers to take the HAZWOPER regulations seriously and prioritize the safety of their workers when handling hazardous materials.

PDH STAR provides HAZWOPER training in an easy and convenient format. Our online HAZWOPER courses are designed with trainee flexibility in mind: you can start, pause, stop, and resume the courses at your convenience. At the end of the course, after passing the final assessment, you will receive the official verifiable Certificate of Completion as a proof that you have completed the necessary training.