HAZWOPER TRAINING

Note that uncontrolled waste site-operators performing clean-up and remediation duties at chemical contamination sites, are often exposed to uncontrolled chemical contaminant of unknown identity and concentration. Workers engaged in such situations receive protection by paragraphs (b) through (o) of HAZWOPER.

HAZWOPER aims at diminishing chemical exposure risk to workers in any/all of these activities:

• Uncontrolled hazardous waste site operators
• Treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF) personnel
• Emergency responder

HAZWOPER was formulated to protect workers in:

• primary response situations to chemical release emergencies,
• ensuing clean-up of site(s) after stabilizing emergency conditions, and
• clean-up of chemical contamination from USA’s industrial chemical legacy.

HAZWOPER instructs on specific hazardous materials used in industries, especially manufacturing, and agriculture.

In the US, all hazmat shipments leaving your facility must comply with the US DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR). OSHA’s regulation 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6) requires hazardous materials technicians to receive 24 hours of first responder operations level training to achieve competency, however, on assessing employee competency, more than 24 hours training may sometimes be required.

The course includes and is not limited to the following topics:

The class provides a detailed overview of the equipment available to HAZWOPER workers, and does not require or provide any hands-on training.

• Work with and clean up hazardous materials regularly.
• Are involved in the storage and treatment of hazardous substances.

The HAZWOPER 40 hour training course provides more detailed equipment training. Students of the 24 hour course may later upgrade to the 40 hour HAZWOPER level by taking the 16 Hour HAZWOPER Upgrade. There is no time limit for when someone may add the 16 hour course to the initial 24 hour course.

If the date for refresher training lapses, repeating initial training must be determined based on the employee’s familiarity with safety and health procedures used on site. Employees alternatively should take the next available refresher training course and “There should be a record in the employee’s file indicating why the training has been delayed and when the training will be completed.”

The course comprises of nine sections pertaining to workplace hazards associated with HAZWOPER. Topics include HAZWOPER regulations, site characterization, toxicology, hazard recognition, personal protective equipment, decontamination, medical surveillance, confined space entry and emergency procedures. Upon successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of completion.