Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) is a set of safety standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to protect workers who are involved in handling hazardous materials. HAZWOPER training is required for workers who are exposed to hazardous substances or involved in emergency response operations.
There are several levels of HAZWOPER training, depending on the type of work and level of involvement in hazardous materials handling:
Awareness Level: This level is designed for workers who are likely to encounter hazardous materials as part of their job, but who are not expected to respond to an emergency involving hazardous materials. Workers at this level are trained to recognize hazardous materials, understand the risks associated with them, and take appropriate action to protect themselves and others.
Operations Level: This level is designed for workers who are likely to respond to a hazardous materials incident, but who will not be involved in actually stopping or controlling the release. Workers at this level are trained to use personal protective equipment, contain the release of hazardous materials, and perform basic decontamination procedures.
Technician Level: This level is designed for workers who will be directly involved in stopping or controlling the release of hazardous materials. Workers at this level are trained to use specialized equipment, perform advanced decontamination procedures, and make decisions regarding the appropriate response to a hazardous materials incident.
Specialist Level: This level is designed for workers who have specific expertise in a particular area related to hazardous materials, such as chemistry, engineering, or health and safety. Workers at this level are trained to provide technical assistance and guidance to other responders.
On-Scene Incident Commander: This level is designed for workers who will be responsible for directing and coordinating the response to a hazardous materials incident. Workers at this level are trained to assess the situation, establish incident objectives, and develop and implement an appropriate response plan.
The number of hours required for HAZWOPER training depends on the specific level of training and the worker's job responsibilities. OSHA has established minimum training requirements for each level of HAZWOPER training, as follows:
Awareness Level: Workers at this level must receive a minimum of 1 hour of training on the hazards associated with hazardous materials, the potential outcomes of an emergency involving hazardous materials, and the proper response procedures.
Operations Level: Workers at this level must receive a minimum of 8 hours of training on the topics covered in the Awareness Level, plus hands-on training on the proper use of personal protective equipment, basic decontamination procedures, and methods for containing and controlling hazardous materials releases.
Technician Level: Workers at this level must receive a minimum of 24 hours of training on the topics covered in the Operations Level, plus hands-on training on the use of specialized equipment, advanced decontamination procedures, and the appropriate response to different types of hazardous materials incidents.
Specialist Level: Workers at this level must receive a minimum of 24 hours of training on the topics covered in the Operations Level, plus additional training on their specific area of expertise.
On-Scene Incident Commander: Workers at this level must receive a minimum of 24 hours of training on the topics covered in the Technician Level, plus training on the principles of incident command and the development and implementation of response plans.
What about training?
In addition to the initial training, workers must also receive annual refresher training to ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest procedures and regulations related to hazardous materials handling and emergency response. The number of hours required for refresher training varies by level of training, but ranges from 8 to 24 hours per year.
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