What is HAZWOPER?
OSHA issued the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standards, 29 CFR 1910.120 and 29 CFR 1926.65 (54 Federal Register 9294-9336, March 6, 1989), to protect workers and enable them to handle hazardous substances safely and effectively. The HAZWOPER standard for the construction industry (29 CFR 1926.65) is identical to 29 CFR 1910.120. For brevity, the HAZWOPER standard is referenced as 29 CFR 1910.120 throughout the remainder of this web page.
The HAZWOPER standard covers employers performing the following general categories of work operations:
- Hazardous waste site cleanup operations [paragraphs (b) – (o)];
- Operations involving hazardous waste that are conducted at treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities [paragraph (p)]; and
- Emergency response operations involving hazardous substance releases [paragraph (q)].
The HAZWOPER standard provides employers, emergency response workers, and other workers potentially exposed to hazardous substances information and training criteria to improve workplace safety and health and reduce workplace injuries and illnesses that could occur from exposures to hazardous substances. It is critical that employers and their workers understand the scope and application of HAZWOPER, and can determine which sections apply to their specific work operations.
Per the OSHA website – the HAZWOPER standard covers five distinct categories of work operations:
- Cleanup operations required by a governmental body involving hazardous substances conducted at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
- Corrective actions involving cleanup operations at RCRA-covered sites;
- Operations involving hazardous wastes at TSD facilities;
- Operations that generate hazardous waste but are not TSD facilities; and
- Emergency response operations involving releases of hazardous substances.
The Global Harmonized System (GHS) is an international approach to hazard communication. It is based on major existing systems around the world, including OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazComm) and the chemical classification and labeling systems of other US agencies. This training program explains how to comply with the GHS changes and compliance requirements under the 2012 OSHA’s Hazardous Communication standard.
This program is aimed at the worker or handler of hazardous chemicals and provides the participants with general awareness training under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200. Each participant will leave the classroom with a general awareness of the GHS and how to apply it in their workplace.
Within the program, the instructor will review OSHA’s 2012 HazComm standard and highlight the changes applicable under the new GHS standard.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to describe the key elements of OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard revisions.
We offer several courses to assist you in obtaining the necessary training to meet OSHA requirements.
- 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training
Course (3 Days)
OSHA 29CFR 1910.120, the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard states that 24-hours of HAZWOPER training is the minimum requirement for those employees whose job does not require them to handle waste or hazardous materials as part of their job. However, if they are required to respond to such incidents as uncontrolled releases or the potential of uncontrolled releases, they must respond as first responders to control and possibly perform cleanup operations. This 24-hour class is not designed to be as in-depth as the 40-hour HAZWOPER course.
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- 40
Hour HAZWOPER (5 Days)
Employees who have duties requiring them to respond to uncontrolled releases as First Responders at the Operations level, Hazardous Materials Technicians, Hazardous Materials Specialists, and On-Scene Incident Commanders and employees who are expected to handle or clean up hazardous materials or waste should take the 40-hour HAZWOPER course. This course requires participants to don and doff chemically resistant clothing and participate in response activities. Individuals with medical restrictions should not take this course.
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- HAZWOPER
Refresher FRA/FRO/HMT (8 Hours)
Anyone who has taken the 40-hour HAZWOPER course is required to maintain their certification by taking an 8-Hour annual refresher course. This course satisfies this requirement. Students who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate of completion from UASC. Those employees who require Hazard Communication Training may join the class for the first 2-hours. The first 4-hours will satisfy requirements for FRO, and completion of the 8-hour course will satisfy requirements for HMT.
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