Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response - 24-Hour Initial Site Worker

This 24-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training is designed to meet the initial training requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3) for workers who will be working on hazardous waste sites but will only be performing specific tasks that are unlikely to expose them to hazards over permissible exposure limits or published exposure limits.

This course is also intended for workers who regularly work on sites that have been monitored and fully characterized, where hazard exposures are under permissible exposure limits and published exposure limits, respirators are not necessary and there is no health hazard or the possibility of an emergency.

This course is also considered awareness level training for individuals looking for a fundamental understanding of hazardous waste safety and health hazards, as well as safe work practices and procedures for hazardous waste operations.

An additional 16 hours of hands-on instruction and site-specific training should be received by any individuals who will potentially be exposed to hazards on hazardous sites or will actively participate in clean-up operations.

None

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) applies to five distinct groups of employers and their employees. This includes any employees who are exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous substances -- including hazardous waste -- and who are engaged in one of the following operations as specified by 1910.120(a)(1)(i-v) and 1926.65(a)(1)(i-v):

• clean-up operations -- required by a governmental body, whether federal, state, local, or other involving hazardous substances -- that are conducted at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
• corrective actions involving clean-up operations at sites covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) as amended (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
• voluntary clean-up operations at sites recognized by federal, state, local, or other governmental body as uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
• operations involving hazardous wastes that are conducted at treatment, storage, and disposal facilities regulated by Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 264 and 265 pursuant to RCRA, or by agencies under agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement RCRA regulations; and
• emergency response operations for releases of, or substantial threats of releases of, hazardous substances regardless of the location of the hazard.

Additional information regarding the OSHA requirements can be found here:  OSHA HAZWOPER FAQS

HAZWOPER Levels

There are three levels of HAZWOPER training as listed in 29 CFR Part 1910.120. Within these three levels, there are various job functions and training requirements.

Level 1. Emergency Response

• First Responder Awareness - Initial: Competancy / Annual: Competancy
• First Responder Operations - Initial: 8hrs / Annual: Competancy
• HAZMAT Technician - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: Competancy
• HAZMAT Specialist - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: Competancy
• Incident Commander - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: Competancy

Level 2. Cleanup of Contaminated Hazardous Waste Sites

• 40 hour HAZWOPER Site Worker - Initial: 40hrs / Annual: 8hrs
• 24 hour (Occasional) HAZWOPER Site Worker - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: 8hrs
• HAZWOPER Supervisor - Initial: 40hrs + 8hrs Supervisor / Annual: 8hrs

Level 3. Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) of Hazardous Waste

• 24 hour (Occasional) HAZWOPER Site Worker - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: 8hrs

This is a level 2 course

While not required, we encourage all attendees to bring the following items:

• Safety Data Sheets for five of the most common and/or most dangerous chemicals present at their jobsite.
• A copy of your facility's Facility Response Plan (FRP)
• A copy of your Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan
• Equipment such as your PPE and monitoring and testing equipment