Who Needs HAZWOPER Training?

Hazardous waste operations, such as the cleanup and restoration of contaminated sites, pose serious safety and health hazards for workers and the environment. The U.S. federal Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard provides the necessary information and regulations for working with hazardous waste and materials. OSHA HAZWOPER regulations depend on key elements to ensure worker safety, one of which is training. Any employee who is exposed to hazardous substances must first complete OSHA's HAZWOPER 40-hour training to ensure they are fully trained and protected. This applies to both employers and employees that may be exposed to hazardous waste through routine handling, cleanup, treatment, disposal, or remediation. It also applies to personnel involved in clean-up operations at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. In addition, HAZWOPER training is required for emergency response personnel dealing with hazardous substances or situations.

OSHA guidelines further clarify what constitutes a hazardous work operation. While not comprehensive, the following examples illustrate situations that require HAZWOPER 40-hour training:

• Imminent danger to life and health (IDLH) environments
• Situations that require area evacuation
• Conditions that create an oxygen-deficient atmosphere
• Circumstances that pose fire or explosion hazards
• Handling contaminated groundwater or soil
• Situations that could cause serious injuries or death
• Environments with high concentrations of toxic substances

Even if workers perform jobs unrelated to hazardous waste treatment, they may need to go through HAZWOPER training. For example, utility workers at a hazardous waste site where contamination is expected must receive proper training to mitigate the risk of potential exposure. Comprehensive training and education ensure that workers know the proper response in case of an emergency or site contamination.

Training programs for workers involved in hazardous waste operations meet a number of objectives, including:

• Making workers more aware of potential hazards
• Providing the knowledge and skills needed to minimize risk to worker health and safety
• Making workers more aware of the purpose, proper use, and limitations of safety equipment
• Ensuring workers can safely avoid or escape emergency situations

Personnel covered by the OSHA HAZWOPER standard must complete initial training requirements, which vary in duration based on job type and experience. HAZWOPER 40 certification is the primary and most intensive training course. Upon successful course completion, hazardous waste personnel need to attend an additional HAZWOPER 8-hour refresher course on a yearly basis. In addition, a HAZWOPER 24-hour course is required for anyone whose job entails visiting or inspecting uncontrolled hazardous waste cleanup sites.

HAZWOPER 40 training online is a convenient way for employers and employees to satisfy training requirements. Courses can be completed from anywhere with internet access, allowing students to work at their own pace from home or at work. Compliance Training Online, a HAZWOPER training provider, offers comprehensive training courses that keeps students engaged with audio and visual components. Upon successful course completion, printable certificates and wallet cards are available to document compliance with training standards. To learn more, get pricing, and sign up for compliance training courses for HAZWOPER regulations and more, contact Compliance Training Online.