Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, or HAZWOPER training is required for any worker who is assigned to clean up hazardous substances, according to OSHA standard 29 CFR Part 1910.120. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, it is one of the 180 federal laws that cover 150 million workers. Here’s what you should know about HAZWOPER training courses.
What Is a Hazardous Substance or Situation?
OSHA has stated that HAZWOPER standards of a hazardous substance or situation usually involve a risk of death or serious injury, a mandatory evacuation, fire or explosion hazards, an oxygen deficient atmosphere, toxic substances, environments of imminent danger to life and health, or any need for immediate protection of employees for safety concerns. HAZWOPER training helps ensure that people stay safe in all of these situations
What Workers Need Hazwoper Training Courses?
OSHA states there are five groups where workers are required to have HAZWOPER training courses. These groups are:
- Treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials and waste regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Actions involving site cleanup operations covered by the RCRA
- Governmentally required cleanups that involve hazardous material or substances at uncontrolled waste sites
- Hazardous waste-generating operations that are not at the treatment, storage, or disposal facility
- Emergency response operations that deal with hazardous substances and materials, the release of those materials, or the threat of release of those materials
Typically, those working as site workers, general laborers, hazardous materials specialists and technicians, equipment operators, etc. fall under these groups.
What Do HAZWOPER Training Courses Offer?
Safety and protocol training for hazardous materials and substances are covered in HAZWOPER courses. There are certain requirements from OSHA about minimum training standards. For example, workers involved in emergency response or hazardous waste need a 40-hour course, whereas those working a limited time period around uncontrolled waste sites need a 24-hour course, and those who have already met their HAZWOPER training courses requirement just need an 8-hour refresher course annually. These requirements ensure that workers are kept up to date with safety training.
If you need a HAZWOPER training course, ETC Compliance Solutions is here to help. We have years of experience in providing these courses to employees in various industries and helping keep worksites safe. Contact us today to learn more about our training.
