MORE ABOUT HAZWOPER TRAINING [go back]

Hazardous Waste Site Worker Intitial Training is provided in accordance with the Department of Labor's OSHA Standard found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER). This standard states that all employees, prior to engaging in operations where there could be exposure to hazardous substances, safety or health hazards, are required to have HAZWOPER training. This applies to all employees working on site, such as equipment operators, general laborers, technicians, and supervisory personnel.

Topics to be covered in class include:

• Identification of safety and health hazards present on site.
• Safe work practices to minimize risks from hazards.
• Use of personal protective equipment.
• Respirator selection, use and maintenance.
• Decontamination procedures.
• Medical surveillance requirements.
• Toxicology overview.
• Site safety plan requirements.
• Confined space entry procedures.
• Spill containment tactics, products, and methods.

At the completion of class, students are given a certificate indicating successful completion of the course.

Workers holding a certificate in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) are frequently employed as follows:

• EPA and Superfund Sites
• Industrial and Municipal Spill Response Teams
• Chemical Recycling and Storage Facilities
• Marine Spills
• Railroad and Highway Spills
• Department of Defense Base Closures
• Environmental Remediation Projects

Heavy equipment operators are in demand at a majority of these sites.

Supervisory personnel, as well as site workers and operators, must receive HAZWOPER training prior to being engaged in any activity at these sites.

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