How to Get Started with HAZWOPER Training

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) is a set of OSHA-enforced standards and regulations that employers must follow to protect the health and safety of workers who may encounter hazardous substances on the job. Employers must provide appropriate HAZWOPER training to workers who are exposed to hazardous materials. If you or your employees need to begin or renew your HAZWOPER training, read on to learn how to get started.

HAZWOPER Training

HAZWOPER training must be designed to protect the worker from exposure to hazardous materials and must be tailored to the individual worker’s needs. The HAZWOPER standard also requires that workers be provided with personal protective equipment and that they be properly trained in its use.

Who Needs HAZWOPER Training?

HAZWOPER standards apply to jobs in the following five operation categories:

1. Any cleanup activities mandated by the government (federal, state, local, or other) that may involve hazardous substances at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites
2. Corrective actions that involve cleanup at sites specifically covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act  (RCRA)
3. Operations at RCRA-regulated treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities involving hazardous waste
4. Any non-TSD operations that generate hazardous waste
5. Any emergency response operations to control or contain the release (or substantial threat of release) of hazardous substances, regardless of location.

Workers who are covered under HAZWOPER perform job operations that include, but are not limited to the following:

• Equipment operators
• On-scene incident commanders
• Emergency responders and emergency cleanup personnel
• Workers at environmental remediation sites
• Hazardous waste operations, waste management, and waste disposal workers
• Geophysical surveyors
• Construction crews at construction sites
• Hazardous materials technicians
• Hazardous materials specialists
• On-site management, supervisors, and other supervisory roles
• Workers at manufacturing and processing facilities
• General laborers and other general site workers

Training Requirements

HAZWOPER stipulates that workers must receive initial and annual refresher training hours, as well as specific training for the type of work they will be performing. Initial training is required for all workers who will be performing hazardous waste operations and must be completed before they can begin work. Refresher training is required once a year. All HAZWOPER training must be conducted by a certified instructor. 

Training Hours

Initial HAZWOPER training can range from 24 to 40 hours, while refresher courses are typically 8 hours long. The hours required to meet HAZWOPER standards are determined by the job role, level of risk involved in the work, and any previously earned hours of training:

• 8-hour refresher courses are required every year for workers who perform cleanup operations or who work with hazardous materials on a regular basis
• 24-hour initial training courses are required for workers who are new to the field or who have not had HAZWOPER training before.
• 40-hour initial training courses are required for workers who will be performing cleanup operations on sites that are heavily contaminated with hazardous materials.

How to Get Started with HAZWOPER Training

If you or your employees need HAZWOPER training, there are a few ways to get started and find a course. You can find certified instructors through the EPA or OSHA websites, or you can select certified courses provided by a private company. 

Once you have chosen a  training course, you will need to register for it online or by calling the provider of the course. Once you have registered, you will receive information about when and where the course will take place and what the next steps required will be.

Choosing the Right HAZWOPER Training Course

Whichever route you choose, make sure that the course you take is accredited and that you will receive a certificate of completion at the end. This will ensure that your employer recognizes your training and that you are prepared to work safely in a hazardous environment.

When choosing a HAZWOPER training course, it is also important to consider the type of exposure that your workers will be facing and the level of coverage the course provides. 

Private training courses, like those offered by EWI, can often provide more comprehensive, tailored coverage than courses offered by the EPA or OSHA do.

EWI provides comprehensive and customizable 8-hour, 24-hour, and 40-hour HAZWOPER training courses. All of our HAZWOPER training courses meet or exceed OSHA requirements and can be tailored to meet your unique needs. EWI also can provide custom on-site training at your request. 

Whatever your training needs, EWI is proud to offer comprehensive health, safety, and environmental compliance training services for organizations of all sizes. Whether it’s fulfilling annual training commitments or educating new hires, our on-site and online compliance training programs are designed to maximize your training experience by providing the following:

• Flexible training schedules and diverse class offerings
• Decades of combined environmental management knowledge
• Knowledgeable and friendly training staff

Have a question about getting started with HAZWOPER training? Email our training team at training@environmentalworks.com, and someone will get back to you shortly.