OSHA Credentials
OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
HAZWOPER training prepares cleanup and emergency response workers to operate safely during a variety of scenarios involving hazardous substances. This training covers policies, practices and procedures that reduce the risk of injury and illness related to harmful exposures on the worksite.
Who Needs 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training?
Most workers who are new to uncontrolled hazardous waste or emergency response operations are required to complete 40 hours of HAZWOPER training. This includes general site workers (such as laborers and equipment operators) and on-site management and supervisors.
Roles that require this training may include:
- Equipment operators
- General laborers
- Other general site workers
- On-site management and supervisory personnel
The 40-hour course is designed for workers who face the highest risk of exposure on the job. For workers and supervisors who are on site only occasionally and unlikely to be exposed above permissible exposure limits, 24-hour HAZWOPER training is appropriate. All workers who complete HAZWOPER training must take an 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher course each year.
Types of Work Covered by HAZWOPER Standards
According to OSHA standards, HAZWOPER training applies to workers and employers involved in five specific types of operations:
- Uncontrolled hazardous waste cleanup operations required by a government body
- Corrective actions involving cleanup operations at Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites
- Hazardous waste operations at treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities
- Operations at non-TSD facilities that generate hazardous waste
- Emergency response actions involving the potential release of hazardous substances
For a full list of operations that require HAZWOPER training, see OSHA's HAZWOPER standards.
How much continuing education is required?
Workers at uncontrolled hazardous waste operations and those involved in emergency response actions must receive eight hours of HAZWOPER refresher training each year.
If you completed 40-hour HAZWOPER training or 24-hour HAZWOPER training, you must take the 8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher course annually as required by OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.120.