HAZWOPER stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. OSHA's HAZWOPER standard, 29 CFR 1910.120, establishes safety and health requirements for certain hazardous waste operations and emergency response activities involving hazardous substances.

Whether a worker needs HAZWOPER training depends on the type of operation, job duties, worksite conditions, and potential exposure to hazardous substances or other health and safety hazards.

Workers covered by HAZWOPER requirements may include:

• General hazardous waste site workers
• Equipment operators at covered cleanup sites
• General laborers performing hazardous waste cleanup
• Certain occasional workers at hazardous waste sites
• Workers at covered treatment, storage, and disposal facilities
• Managers and supervisors overseeing covered hazardous waste operations
• Employees assigned certain hazardous substance emergency response duties

HAZWOPER does not automatically apply to every employee who works with or around hazardous substances. Employers are responsible for determining which HAZWOPER requirements apply based on the operation and each employee's job duties.

HAZWOPER training requirements vary based on a worker's job duties, potential exposure, and type of operation. For hazardous waste site workers covered by 29 CFR 1910.120(e), OSHA establishes 40-hour and 24-hour initial training requirements for different worker categories, along with annual refresher training for covered workers.

• 40-Hour HAZWOPER: Intended for general site workers engaged in hazardous substance removal or other activities that expose or potentially expose them to hazardous substances and health hazards. OSHA requires these workers to receive at least 40 hours of instruction plus at least three days of supervised field experience.
• 24-Hour HAZWOPER: Applies to certain workers who are on-site only occasionally for specific limited tasks and are unlikely to experience exposures above applicable limits, as well as certain regular workers in monitored areas that meet OSHA's criteria. These workers receive at least 24 hours of instruction plus at least one day of supervised field experience.
• 8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher: Covers annual refresher training for workers subject to 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8). Applicable employees, managers, and supervisors must receive eight hours of refresher training annually.

Employers should determine the appropriate HAZWOPER training based on each worker's duties and ensure that all applicable field experience, hands-on, site-specific, and other training requirements are completed.

The specific topics vary depending on the HAZWOPER course you select. Under 29 CFR 1910.120, training for hazardous waste site workers must address topics applicable to their work and responsibilities.

Some topics may include:

• HAZWOPER definitions and requirements
• Hazardous substances and chemical exposure
• OSHA regulations and employer responsibilities
• Hazard communication
• Site characterization and hazard assessment
• Air monitoring and site control
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Respiratory protection
• Emergency response planning
• Sanitation at temporary workplaces
• Handling and labeling drums and containers
• Decontamination procedures
• Radiation hazards and safety
• Medical surveillance

Review the individual course description and outline to see the topics included in the HAZWOPER training you select.

Compliance Training Online makes it easy to complete the online coursework for your HAZWOPER training. Follow these steps to choose a course, complete your training, and access your course certificate.

1. Choose Your HAZWOPER Course

Select the 40-Hour, 24-Hour, or 8-Hour Refresher course based on your job duties and training history. Your employer should determine which HAZWOPER training requirements apply to your role.

2. Register and Start Your Training

Enroll in your course and begin the online HAZWOPER training. Courses are self-paced, allowing you to work through the material during your course access period.

3. Complete the Course Requirements

Work through the required course material and successfully complete the applicable assessments.

4. Download Your Course Certificate

After successfully completing the online course, access and print your course completion certificate.

5. Complete Any Additional Required Training

Online coursework may be only one part of your HAZWOPER training requirements. Applicable 40-hour hazardous waste site workers must also complete at least three days of supervised field experience, while applicable 24-hour workers must complete at least one day.

Your employer is responsible for ensuring you complete any additional hands-on instruction, site-specific training, supervised field experience, or competency requirements that apply to your work.

Choose the HAZWOPER course that applies to your job duties and training needs, register online, and begin your self-paced coursework. Compliance Training Online offers 40-Hour, 24-Hour, and 8-Hour Refresher HAZWOPER courses, with a course completion certificate available after you successfully finish the applicable online course.

The amount of time HAZWOPER training takes depends on the course you select. CTO's 40-Hour, 24-Hour, and 8-Hour Refresher courses are designed around their respective course durations, but your actual completion time may vary because the courses are self-paced.

Depending on your role, additional training or supervised field experience may also be required beyond the online course.

HAZWOPER training is required for workers who perform certain hazardous waste operations or emergency response activities covered by OSHA's HAZWOPER standard. Whether HAZWOPER applies depends on the type of operation, the employee's duties, worksite conditions, and potential exposure to hazardous substances and other hazards.

Employers are responsible for determining which HAZWOPER requirements apply to their employees and providing the appropriate training. HAZWOPER training is not automatically required simply because an employee works with or around hazardous substances.

Initial HAZWOPER training under 29 CFR 1910.120(e) does not have a set expiration date, but covered employees must receive eight hours of refresher training annually. This annual refresher requirement also applies to managers and supervisors covered by 29 CFR 1910.120(e).

Employers should maintain training records and ensure workers remain appropriately trained for their assigned duties.

The cost of HAZWOPER training depends on whether you choose the 40-Hour, 24-Hour, or 8-Hour Refresher course. Check the individual course page for current pricing, available bulk discounts, and details about what is included with enrollment.

Course prices may change, so review the current price before purchasing.

Workers subject to the refresher requirements in 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8) must receive eight hours of HAZWOPER refresher training annually. This requirement applies to covered employees as well as managers and supervisors subject to the initial training requirements in 29 CFR 1910.120(e).

Emergency responders covered by other parts of the HAZWOPER standard may have different refresher or competency requirements, so employers should determine which requirements apply to each worker.

The difference between 24-Hour and 40-Hour HAZWOPER training depends primarily on the worker's duties, potential exposure, and involvement at a covered hazardous waste site.

40-Hour HAZWOPER generally applies to general site workers involved in hazardous substance removal or other activities that expose or potentially expose them to hazardous substances and health hazards. 24-Hour HAZWOPER may apply to certain workers performing limited tasks or working in monitored areas where OSHA's lower-exposure criteria are met.

Workers should not choose between 24-Hour and 40-Hour HAZWOPER based only on course length. Employers should determine the appropriate training based on the employee's responsibilities, exposure potential, worksite conditions, and applicable OSHA requirements.

Online HAZWOPER coursework can be used as part of a HAZWOPER training program, but OSHA does not approve, certify, or endorse individual online HAZWOPER courses or training providers. OSHA also states that computer-based training by itself is not sufficient to meet all of the standard's training requirements.

Additional requirements can include hands-on training, access to a qualified trainer, site-specific instruction, and supervised field experience. Under 29 CFR 1910.120(e), applicable 40-hour hazardous waste site workers need at least three days of supervised field experience, while applicable 24-hour workers need at least one day.

Employers are responsible for ensuring workers complete all training and experience required for their specific duties.

HAZWOPER requirements are based on an employee's work and potential exposure rather than job title alone. Depending on their duties and worksite conditions, workers who may be subject to HAZWOPER requirements include:

• Hazardous waste cleanup workers
• General laborers at covered hazardous waste sites
• Equipment operators performing covered site work
• Groundwater monitoring personnel
• Land surveyors working at covered sites
• Workers at certain hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities
• Managers and supervisors of covered hazardous waste operations
• Workers assigned certain hazardous substance emergency response duties

The required HAZWOPER training can vary between these roles. Employers should determine the appropriate training based on the operation, employee's duties, potential exposure, and applicable requirements under 29 CFR 1910.120.