HAZWOPER Training Requirements
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) is a set of guidelines produced and maintained by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which regulates hazardous waste operations and emergency services in the United States and its territories. With these guidelines, the U.S. government regulates hazardous wastes and dangerous goods from inception to disposal.
The OSHA HAZWOPER Standard ( 29 CFR Part 1910.120) – requires that all workers that are exposed to or handle hazardous materials must take a 24hr or 40hr HAZWOPER Training Course and an 8hr Annual Refresher - at a level required by their job function and responsibility - and before they are permitted to engage in hazardous waste operations that could expose them to hazardous substances.
- HAZWOPER Training Levels
- HAZWOPER Training Sequence
HAZWOPER Training Levels
There are 3 levels for HAZWOPER training as listed in the OSHA 1910.120 regulations. Within these 3 levels are various job functions and training requirements. Each of these levels offer HAZWOPER certification for the different job functions.
Level 1. Emergency Response
Emergency Response - 29 CFR 1910.120 (q);
Emergency response program to hazardous substance releases. This paragraph covers employers whose employees are engaged in emergency response no matter where it occurs except that it does not cover employees engaged in operations specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iv) of this section. Those emergency response organizations who have developed and implemented programs equivalent to this paragraph for handling releases of hazardous substances pursuant to section 303 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. 11003) shall be deemed to have met the requirements of this paragraph.
- HAZMAT Technician
- HAZMAT Specialist
- Incident Commander
Level 2. Cleanup of Contaminated Hazardous Waste Sites
General Site Cleanup - 29 CFR 1910.120 (e);
All employees working on site (such as but not limited to equipment operators, general laborers and others) exposed to hazardous substances, health hazards, or safety hazards and their supervisors and management responsible for the site shall receive training meeting the requirements of this paragraph before they are permitted to engage in hazardous waste operations that could expose them to hazardous substances, safety, or health hazards, and they shall receive review training as specified in this paragraph.
- 40 hour HAZWOPER Site Worker
- 24 hour HAZWOPER Site Worker
- HAZWOPER Supervisor
Level 3. Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) of Hazardous Waste
Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) - 29 CFR 1910.120 (p).
Certain Operations Conducted Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA). Employers conducting operations at treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities specified in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section shall provide and implement the programs specified in this paragraph. See the "Notes and Exceptions" to paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section for employers not covered.
- 24 hour HAZWOPER Site Worker
HAZWOPER Training Sequence
- Step 1. Complete either the 24 hour or 40 hour HAZWOPER training course. There are no prerequisites for these courses.
- Step 2. Perform any additional site-specific training or certification as directed by employer. Additional HAZWOPER training is performed and certified by the trainer and employer.
- Step 3. HAZWOPER Supervisor Training. This training requires you complete either a 24 hour or 40 hour HAZWOPER course prior to enrolling in a supervisor course.
- Step 4. HAZWOPER 8 hour Annual Refresher course is required to maintain 40 hour, 24 hour, and Supervisor certifications.
